Heesen Yachts builds in Oss in the Netherlands, producing fast aluminium motor yachts in the 37-to-70-metre range with a hull technology developed in partnership with the Delft University of Technology. The FDHF, or Fast Displacement Hull Form, delivers higher speeds at lower engine outputs than conventional motor yacht hull forms of comparable size, making Heesen yachts among the most efficient fast-passage vessels operating in the Caribbean. The six Heesen vessels available from Dominica range from sporty semi-displacement builds capable of 18 to 20 knots to more sedate full-displacement models with longer range, covering a spectrum of charter priorities from passage speed to fuel economy. Dominica’s central position in the Windward Islands makes Heesen’s speed advantage particularly useful: the passage from Prince Rupert Bay to Fort-de-France in Martinique takes under two hours at 18 knots, and the Les Saintes archipelago to the north is similarly quick to reach. Prince Rupert Bay on Dominica’s northwest coast provides the primary superyacht anchorage, with the Indian River close by for a tender excursion and Scott’s Head at the southern tip offering an exceptional volcanic crater dive site. Weekly charter rates for a Heesen from Dominica run from approximately 60,000 to 160,000 euros per week, with an advance provisioning allowance of around 30 percent covering diesel for a fast hull, provisions, crew gratuities, and marina fees. Caribbean peak season is December through April.
