Designed by Italian studio VYD Studio, the sub-500 GT Heysea 35m Explorer is being developed for long-range cruising, with a 4,000-nautical-mile range and unrestricted navigation classification.
The yacht is scheduled for delivery approximately two years after the contract signing and is expected to be based in the Mediterranean, giving Heysea a new foothold in the European explorer yacht market.
Heysea Signs First European 35m Explorer Yacht
The new project marks the start of a broader explorer yacht program for Heysea rather than a standalone custom build. The Chinese shipyard has confirmed that 35m, 45m and 54m models are under development, each using steel hull construction with aluminum superstructures and targeting a volume below 500 GT.
At 35.96m LOA, the first yacht has an 8.15m beam, 2.45m design draft and full-load displacement of 372.5 tonnes. Its relatively broad beam should provide considerable internal and deck volume for a yacht of this length, although Heysea has yet to publish a full accommodation breakdown.
The first contract has been signed by a European client. Heysea says the yacht will cruise in the Mediterranean following delivery, currently anticipated around two years after the May 2026 announcement. The sale represents a notable step for a builder that has historically been more closely associated with large motor yachts and, increasingly, multihulls. Heysea describes the project as its formal move into the explorer yacht sector, opening another category within its growing model range.
VYD Studio Designs the New Heysea 35m Explorer
Exterior styling and the interior concept have been developed by Italian design house VYD Studio, founded by Paolo Dose, continuing an existing relationship between the studio and Heysea. Heysea is handling the project's engineering internally. The yard's responsibilities include the hull structure, electrical systems, piping, machinery engineering and interior construction.
The first images reveal a purposeful explorer profile with a near-vertical bow, substantial forward superstructure and long stretches of open deck aft. Large sections of glazing run through the superstructure, while the stepped aft decks appear intended to provide several distinct outdoor areas.
The arrangement also places considerable emphasis on usable exterior space, an increasingly important feature on contemporary explorer yachts where tenders, water toys and equipment must compete with guest areas for deck space.
The technical package gives a clearer indication of the yacht's intended role. A steel hull is paired with an aluminum superstructure, while twin 900hp main engines are specified to deliver a maximum speed of 14 knots. At a more economical 10 knots, Heysea quotes a range of 4,000 nautical miles from a 38,000-liter fuel capacity. Freshwater capacity is 7,000 liters.
Heysea Plans 35m, 45m and 54m Explorer Yacht Series
Heysea's plans extend beyond the yacht already sold. The shipyard says the 35m will become the entry point to a three-model explorer family, followed by larger 45m and 54m designs. Steel hulls and aluminum superstructures are planned across all three, with each model intended to remain below 500 GT.
Keeping the range beneath that threshold is significant. Gross tonnage measures enclosed internal volume rather than weight, and the 500 GT boundary brings additional regulatory requirements under several international maritime conventions. Designing around that figure has therefore become a familiar approach for builders seeking substantial explorer capability without moving owners into the operational framework associated with larger yachts.
Looking to buy a Heysea yacht? View all new and used Heysea yachts for sale, tracked in real time by YachtBuyer MarketWatch. We scan the entire market to ensure access to all genuine listings, saving you time. Alternatively, you can view all other explorer yachts for sale.
