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Heartsaver Yacht

Heartsaver Yacht

33.22m Denison | Custom |
1990

Heartsaver EX: Big Bad John

Guests

8
Cabins

4
Crew

4

Length	GT	Built
33.22m	155 GT	1990
Beam	Draft	Top Speed
6.61m	1.8m	32 Kts

Delivered in 1990, Heartsaver is a 33.22m motor yacht built by Denison. Her naval architecture and exterior design comes from the drawing boards of Joe Langlois, while Susan Peluo is responsible for her interior design.

Design & Construction

Designed around an aluminium hull and superstructure she features a 6.61m beam and a 1.8m draft. The yacht has an internal volume of 155 GT (Gross Tonnes).

Accommodation

Heartsaver offers accommodation for up to 8 guests in 4 suites. She is also capable of carrying up to 4 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Performance & Capabilities

Powered by twin diesel DDC (16V 149TI) 2,400hp engines, motor yacht Heartsaver is capable of reaching a top speed of 32 knots, and comfortably cruises at 29 knots.

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Guests

8
Cabins

4
Crew

4

Length	GT	Built
33.22m	155 GT	1990
Beam	Draft	Top Speed
6.61m	1.8m	32 Kts

Heartsaver Yacht Build Story

Owner's Brief

Heartsaver was launched as Big Bad John, commissioned by American country singer and sausage-making businessman Jimmy Dean, delivered in 1990. This was his largest yacht at the time (later owning a 43m Christen yacht now named La Sirena) and one of eight he named after his 1961 hit song.

Dean wanted a yacht that supported his lifestyle on the water, with a focus on cruising and fishing, as well as extended time aboard with his wife. Based out of Fort Lauderdale, the yacht was set up for regular trips to the Bahamas and the US East Coast, including Montauk. The brief leaned toward comfort, familiarity, and personal expression.

Build & Design Team

Builder

Naval Architect & Exterior Designer

Joe Langlois

Interior Designer

Susan Peluo

How did they do it?

The yacht was built in aluminium as a custom project through Denison Yachts in Florida, with a raised pilothouse and cockpit layout that suited Dean’s use of the boat. The semi-displacement hull allowed for practical cruising speeds, with twin Detroit Diesel engines delivering around 18 knots at cruise and up to 20 knots at full speed.

Working with designer Susan Puleo, Dean selected a mix of marble, granite, high-gloss cabinetry, Lucite acrylic, and brass. Several of these elements remain in place today, including a black marble sole and a custom Sherle Wagner gold sink in the main deck day head. The master suite includes a mirrored wall etched with the Jimmy Dean Foods logo, which places the yacht firmly within the owner’s wider identity rather than keeping it separate.

Refit and Later Life

After Dean sold the yacht, she passed through subsequent ownership and was later renamed Heartsaver. While no full rebuild is recorded, the yacht has retained a number of original interior features, which gives a clear link back to her original commissioning.

At one stage, the yacht returned to market via auction in Miami, which marked a shift toward a new phase of ownership and the potential for restoration.

Specifications

Principal Characteristics

Builder Denison
Built 1990
Naval Architect Joe Langlois
Exterior Designer Joe Langlois
Interior Designer Susan Peluo

Current Name Heartsaver
Launch Name Big Bad John
Flag Cayman Islands
Ex Name Big Bad John

Dimensions

Length 33.22m
Length Waterline 29.29m
Beam 6.61m
Draft 1.8m

GT 155 GT
Displacement 102 Tonnes

Hull & Superstructure

Hull Material Aluminium
Superstructure Aluminium
Deck Material Aluminium & Teak

Capacities

Fuel Capacity 33,686 Litres
Freshwater Capacity 5,677 Litres

Speed & Range

Max Speed 32 Knots
Cruising Speed 29 Knots

Engine & Propulsion

Engine
2 x DDC 16V 149TI
Type Diesel
Power 2x 2400hp / 1766kW
Total Power 4800hp / 3532kW
Propulsion Twin Screw Propellers

Accommodation

Sleeping 6
Cabins 4
Crew 4
Crew Cabins 2

Principal Characteristics

Builder Denison
Built 1990
Naval Architect Joe Langlois
Exterior Designer Joe Langlois
Interior Designer Susan Peluo

Current Name Heartsaver
Launch Name Big Bad John
Flag Cayman Islands
Ex Name Big Bad John

Dimensions

Length 33.22m
Length Waterline 29.29m
Beam 6.61m
Draft 1.8m

GT 155 GT
Displacement 102 Tonnes

Hull & Superstructure

Hull Material Aluminium
Superstructure Aluminium
Deck Material Aluminium & Teak

Capacities

Fuel Capacity 33,686 Litres
Freshwater Capacity 5,677 Litres

Speed & Range

Max Speed 32 Knots
Cruising Speed 29 Knots

Engine & Propulsion

Engine
2 x DDC 16V 149TI
Type Diesel
Power 2x 2400hp / 1766kW
Total Power 4800hp / 3532kW
Propulsion Twin Screw Propellers

Accommodation

Sleeping 6
Cabins 4
Crew 4
Crew Cabins 2

Amenities

Amenities

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