Heesen Yachts History & Heritage

In 1978, Frans Heesen embarked on a venture that would shape the future of yacht construction. Acquiring the Striker Boats shipyard, situated along a canal south of the Waal River between s’Hertogenbosch and Nijmegen, marked the beginning of a journey dedicated to producing large, high-performance yachts driven by innovation.

The inaugural yacht launched by Heesen in 1979 set a precedent, measuring 28m (92ft) in length, capable of reaching 28 knots, and offering luxurious accommodations for 10 guests – a remarkable feat for its time. Heesen gained international acclaim in 1988 with the delivery of Octopussy, a groundbreaking 38m (125ft) yacht that became the first large vessel to surpass the 50-knot speed barrier.

A pivotal shift in 1992 saw Heesen's focus on long-range superyachts featuring full-displacement steel hulls. Since then, the shipyard's yachts have continued to grow in size and sophistication. Expanding to its current scale in 2008, Heesen now possesses the capacity to construct up to eight superyachts and megayachts annually.

Heesen At A Glance

A brief summary of statistics, facts, and figures for Princess Yachts.

Shipyard History

  • Shipyard Founder Frans Heesen
  • Year Founded 1978
  • Headquarters Town Oss
  • Headquarters Country Netherlands
  • Year first superyacht built 1979

Workforce & Output

  • Total Workforce 1,000
  • Data for Workforce Year 2022

Superyachts Delivered Facts & Figures

Explore comprehensive statistics, facts, and figures encompassing all in-production and discontinued Heesen models.

Total 131
Largest 81m
Average
Length 44m
Average
Volume 440GT
Average
Age 17.9yrs

Superyachts (+78ft) Delivered Per Year



Model Timeline

Research all the in production and discontinued Heesen Yacht models and immerse yourself in their history. Learn about each models features, generations, redesigns, notable features, specification, layouts, photo galleries and video from each individual model year*.

Key: 5 In-Production 12 Discontinued

Current Heesen Model Range

Learn about each in production yacht models features, generations, redesigns, notable features, specification, layouts, photo galleries and video from each individual model year*.

Steel Range  

55m Steel (Mk2)

55m

Production: 2024 - to date

Generations: 2

View Details

Aluminium Range  

50m Aluminium Semi-Displacement (Mk2)

49.98m

Production: 2019 - to date

Generations: 2

View Details

Steel Range  

60m Steel

59.6m

Production: 2018 - to date

Generations: 1

View Details

Aluminium Range  

50m Aluminium FDHF

49.8m

Production: 2017 - to date

Generations: 1

View Details

Steel Range  

50m Steel

49.9m

Production: 2016 - to date

Generations: 1

View Details


Discontinued Heesen Models

Steel Range  

55m Steel (Mk1)

55m

Production: 2013 - 2023

Generations: 2

View Details

Aluminium Range  

7000 Aluminium

70.07m

Production: 2013 - 2021

Generations: 1

View Details

Aluminium Range  

6500 Aluminium

65m

Production: 2010 - 2021

Generations: 1

View Details

Steel Range  

42m Steel

42.4m

Production: 2014 - 2021

Generations: 1

View Details

Aluminium Range  

5000 Aluminium (Mk1)

49.98m

Production: 2010 - 2018

Generations: 2

View Details

Steel Range  

4700 Series (Mk2)

47m

Production: 2014 - 2017

Generations: 2

View Details

Steel Range  

Heesen 5000

50m

Production: 2008 - 2014

Generations: 1

View Details

Steel Range  

4700 Series (Mk1)

47m

Production: 2002 - 2012

Generations: 2

View Details

Aluminium Range  

Heesen 4400

44m

Production: 2007 - 2012

Generations: 1

View Details

Aluminium Range  

Heesen 3700

37m

Production: 2004 - 2011

Generations: 1

View Details

Aluminium Range  

Heesen 4000

40m

Production: 2002 - 2007

Generations: 1

View Details

Aluminium Range  

Heesen 3900 Sportfishing Yacht

39.1m

Production: 1999 - 1999

Generations: 1

View Details