Building a floating palace [superyachts

Abstract

It's A windswept frozen day in the small town of Oss where, in a colossal enclosed boatbuilder's yard, the sights and sounds of good old-fashioned metal bashing are in the air. A 50-metre-long skeletal aluminium framework forms the bones of what will become one of the most luxurious yachts the world has ever seen. For those inspired by the fabrication of big shiny things, these construction areas (the size of aircraft hangars) at Netherlands-based boatbuilder Heesen are a joy to behold. However, for those who like their superyachts sleek and finished, elegantly cruising the Caribbean main, it appears that - on the surface at least - this primer-pink carcass of a ship has a long journey ahead of it. It will be months before the client will even set foot on what is ultimately a floating private palace that displays the wealth of Croesus. Founded in 1978, Heesen is one of the world's leading brands in superyacht design and manufacture. Earlier this year, the boatbuilder scooped no fewer than three gongs at the 10th annual World Superyacht Awards. MySky (51 metres), Elena (47m) and Alumercia (37.9m) all made their ostentatious mark on the event.