Boat test for the 2006 Heesen Man of Steel with boat pictures, boat specifications, and boat test results. Includes pricing, videos, engine test reviews, and ratings for the 2006 Heesen Man of Steel.

Even with the lack of problems, the decision to have Man of Steel do the transatlantic crossing wasn't taken lightly. The original idea was to put the 121-footer on a yacht-transport ship. But Jenkins realized close to delivery time that the ship's schedule wouldn't get the yacht to Florida in time for the owner's planned cruise. Wisely enough, well before the delivery date, he had inquired with the yard's representatives as to whether a worst-case scenario of an Atlantic crossing would be feasible. The information he was given was reassuring: While Man of Steel was intended for a maximum speed of 32 knots, throttled back to 10 knots, the yacht (135 tons at light displacement) would see a range of 3,200 miles. This, of course, is the advantage of building a semidisplacement yacht--granting the ability to vary speeds within a broad range to maximize efficiency (and even to outrun storms, if any were to arise). The throttled-back speed and resulting range would allow Man of Steel to reach refueling stops comfortably.

Six thousand miles and four weeks after departing Heesen's yard in Holland, Man of Steel arrived stateside to the delight of her owner and his family. They're self-described avid boaters, more likely to kick back onboard in comfortable clothing than be part of the see-and-be-seen set in the Med. And their yacht reflects their style, which is another example of how Heesen takes a different approach from some other yards offering series builds. From the stainless steel inlays in the bamboo soles--and the use of bamboo itself--to the satin-finished, aptly named zebrano wood (complete with stripes) on bulkheads, the owners, in collaboration with Omega Architects, truly customized the interior.

It wasn't just customized for taste; when you realize an eight-year-old and four-year-old are part of the family, the choices take on a more practical sense. Bamboo, for example, is known for its durability, and zebrano has dark tones (helpful for camouflaging marks). The kids are also the reason one of the three guest staterooms is outfitted with two sets of bunk beds; the top bunks can fold down when their little friends aren't cruising with the family (or perhaps when the parents can convince the kids that their teddy bears don't need beds to themselves).

The parents didn't leave their own needs out of the equation, of course. Instead of having four guest staterooms below decks, as other launches in the 3700 Series feature, they opted to turn one of the rooms into a gym for themselves. There are also luxurious touches throughout the yacht, graced with a Zen-like Asian feel. Leather covers the bulkheads in the saloon, and one such panel retracts to reveal a plasma TV. The saloon itself is circular, a nice departure from the typical arrangement aboard megayachts. Up on the flying bridge, there are integrated misters and an electrically retractable awning that shades both forward and aft of the radar arch.

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