Heesen, the Dutch yard based in Oss, has built its reputation on fast displacement and semi-displacement motor yachts that deliver high performance without the fuel consumption of planning hulls. The yard works predominantly in aluminium at lengths between 30 and 70 metres, with a fleet of six available for charter in Cuba through The Yacht Collection. The speed and range combination suits Cuba’s elongated geography particularly well.
Heesen yachts in Cuban waters offer guests the ability to cover serious distances between the island’s varied destinations without spending entire days underway. The crossing from Havana to the Jardines de la Reina, which takes a full day on a conventional displacement hull, can be completed in substantially less time on a Heesen, leaving more of the itinerary for anchoring and exploration.
Charter rates for Heesen yachts in Cuba range from approximately 80,000 to 300,000 euros per week depending on size and specification. The advance provisioning allowance runs to around 30 percent of the base rate. Cuba’s peak season is December through April. The six Heesen yachts in the Cuban fleet represent a strong choice for groups who want to cover meaningful ground during a week-long itinerary without feeling rushed at any single destination.
Heesen itineraries in Cuba typically open in Havana before heading east along the northern coast at a pace that allows stops at Matanzas Bay and Varadero. The southern crossing to the Jardines de la Reina takes a fraction of the time it would on a slower vessel, arriving in the protected channels in time for an afternoon dive.