YachtCharterFleet had the enormous pleasure of being hosted on board the 40m (130ft) Heesen yacht around the spectacular Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia for a few halcyon sun-kissed days this summer.
Built in 1987 and extensively refitted in 2017, motor yacht LIONSHARE encapsulates an outstanding pedigree in craftsmanship which can be seen in her flowing lines and graceful flared bow. To cap it off, she offers sublime relaxation throughout her spacious, well-thought out living areas that captivate the very essence of what luxury yacht charters are all about.
On arrival at the dock, we were met by a couple of her crew members who expertly whisked us across the waves in LIONSHARE's impressive 12-meter chase tender, where we relaxed in supreme comfort as we admired the graceful lines of the mothership from a distance.
As we stepped aboard the yacht, we were warmly greeted by her Captain and dedicated crew, and knew instantly that we were in for a real treat.
After being cordially welcomed aboard the yacht and offered a range of delicious and beautifully presented light refreshments, we were invited to take a look around and make ourselves at home.
As you enter her wonderfully cool interiors, you are at once transported to a world of understated elegance and modernity, which balances beautifully with the classic elements of her original build. The whole interior is laid out invitingly with wide beam wooden floors, plush carpets and soft furnishings showcasing an array of hues inspired by the ocean, and you feel your shoulders begin to relax as your cares slip away with every step.
you are at once transported to a world of understated elegance and modernity, which balances beautifully with the classic elements of her original build
Her recently remodelled open-plan main salon offers an artful combination of plush seating areas with a variety of contemporary wooden and glass coffee tables. The whole space is enhanced by wide flanking windows bathing the room in a golden light, whilst at night discreet recessed downlights and side lamps serve to create a warm and deeply inviting ambience.
Further forward there is an elevated bar behind which sits a stunning ebony formal dining table, with seating for 8 guests.
Your eye is drawn towards the graceful glass-balustrade staircase that encompasses the heart of the yacht that flows seamlessly from top to bottom, offering views down into her accommodation areas and up to her skylounge, cleverly perpetuating the sense of openness throughout the yacht.
LIONSHARE offers fantastic flexibility for yacht charters with her unique cabin configuration across two decks. These comprise an exceptional on-deck master stateroom with a king-size bed and panoramic windows, and equipped with all the attendant amenities you would expect for the principle charterer.
On her lower deck, you’ll find a beautifully-appointed full-beam VIP cabin, which includes a large adjacent daybed, perfect for guests travelling with younger children.
The additional suites include a delightful double cabin, as well as a twin cabin featuring a handy Pullman berth discreetly stored behind the bulkhead. There is a further twin cabin located at the back of the yacht on the same level, offering a high degree of privacy that could prove ideal for anyone travelling with teens!
Each cabin comes equipped with a fridge and adjoining en suite, complete with a powerful shower and vanity basin, and complemented with sumptuous monogrammed towels and heavenly Molton Brown products. The principle cabins also feature an additional luxurious bath in their respective en suites.
Each cabin comes equipped with a fridge and adjoining ensuite, complete with a powerful shower and vanity basin, and complemented with sumptuous monogrammed towels and heavenly Molton Brown products
Undoubtedly one of the most important elements of a luxury yacht charter has to be the quality of the beds, so we were thrilled to discover these were some of the most comfortable mattresses and pillows we have ever encountered on board a yacht. You are cocooned in a cloud from the minute your head touches the pillow, and we awoke every morning feeling super refreshed and ready for another day of adventures.
The social dynamics of the yacht have been ingeniously re-worked, creating a harmonious flow between deck levels for enhanced interaction throughout the yacht’s array of convivial spaces.
Venturing upstairs to her commodious sky lounge you’ll find yourself confronted with a range of plush sofas inviting you to sink against their comfortable cushions. Here guests can truly unwind; whether that’s reading a book, playing board games or simply watching a film.
The yacht comes equipped with an extensive on-demand library of all the latest movies, and after a long day’s excursion ashore or fun on the water, there's nothing better than curling up in front of a movie whilst a stewardess serves popcorn and drinks from the convenient pantry station located further aft.
Crowning the yacht is a gloriously secluded sundeck replete with comfortable loungers and a stunning elevated Jacuzzi offering sensational vistas of the surroundings. A canopy can also be erected above for those wishing for more protection from the midday sun.
During the day, this becomes the social hub, where you can kick back and relax as the yacht’s BOSE speakers play your favorite tunes. You can even enjoy the sundeck while underway, with glass barriers offering convenient protection from the wind without detracting from the astonishing views.
For early evenings, you’ll find yourself naturally gravitating towards the main deck alfresco bar, where a stewardess prepares delicious cocktails and the atmosphere is agreeably sociable and pleasant. This fully-equipped circular teak bar has replaced the usual aft dining area, which has been relocated to the upper bridge deck.
Happy hour may just become one of your favorite times of the day, either seated at the bar or on the comfortable sofa area close by. You'll find ample seating in this area, perfect for you and your guests to relax as you catch up on the day's adventures with a delicious cocktail in hand.
For the perfect sundowners, grab your drinks and head up to the bridge deck which plays host to an abundance of sumptuous loungers and chairs, with an alfresco dining area located further forward under a large canopy.
The social dynamics of the yacht have been ingeniously re-worked, creating a harmonious flow between deck levels for enhanced interaction throughout the yacht’s array of convivial spaces
In the evening, the crew adorn this canopy with fairy lights to create warm ambient lighting that illuminates the deck and adds to the congenial atmosphere, leaving you to relax and watch the sky transition from blue to vibrant pinks and purples as the sun makes its slow descent into the warm Mediterranean sea.
Fancy a movie night under the stars? The bridge deck can also be converted into a fabulous outdoor cinema, where the seating is rearranged around a large fold-out screen for a magical cinema experience nonpareil.
Heading up the galley is Chef Julian, who has been a staple fixture onboard LIONSHARE for a number of years, having previously worked with some of the best chefs in the industry, as well as honing his skills on board a number of other superyachts. Over this time, he has clearly amassed some impressive culinary skills that we were fortunate enough to witness whilst on board.
Alfresco breakfasts on the bridge deck are a real highlight, involving a veritable feast; from a variety of compotes to delicious home-made bircher muesli, all of which are beautifully presented buffet-style by the stewardess, with hot food orders produced in the galley and served to the table.
For lunches and evening meals, Chef Julian pulls out all the stops and produces an array of mouth watering dishes followed by heavenly desserts, which we guarantee will have you in raptures.
The stewardesses also enjoy creating innovative tablescapes to compliment the Chef's culinary masterpieces; from Italian cuisine-inspired lunches to 20s Art Deco-style dinners, as well as fabulous beach BBQ set-ups.
The crew are passionate about preserving the environment and take great care to reduce the yacht’s environmental impact wherever possible.
One of the prime examples of this is their reusable glass water bottles for guests, which the stewardess fills with ice-cold water and infuses with fresh fruit, such as strawberries, oranges, lemons and mint. This adds a special touch, not to mention a delicious fruity zing. These are regularly replenished and charter guests can help themselves throughout the day from the convenient fridges located outside on the yacht’s decks.
Disposable plastic water bottles are a real problem for the superyacht industry and the crew on board LIONSHARE have come up with this sustainable alternative that keeps charterers happy while looking after the precious marine environment.
For guests looking for adventure, you’re in for a treat because motor yacht LIONSHARE has an overflowing toy box full of the latest water sports gear. From Seadoos to Seabobs and paddleboards to flyboards, there is sure to be something to excite even the most reluctant sea-goer.
The crew can deploy a convenient inflatable pontoon, which extends out from the yacht’s waterside swim platform providing a useful landing dock for the jet skis, with the added bonus of avoiding costly damage to the yacht!
The crew are also RYA certified to provide training for use of the personal watercraft to ensure any adventures on the water can be enjoyed with safety in mind.
For lovers of the deep, there is also a qualified divemaster on board who can accompany you as you explore the enchanting underwater reefs and fascinating rock formations of the Mediterranean and beyond.
One of LIONSHARE'S best features is her 12-meter chase tender that can accommodate the entire charter party, and comes equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system, promising to deliver you ashore in true superyacht style.
yacht LIONSHARE has an overflowing toy box full of the latest water sports gear; from Seadoos to Seabobs and paddleboards to flyboards, there is sure to be something to excite even the most reluctant sea-goer
The chase tender presents a fantastic opportunity for enhanced exploration of your surroundings, capable of traversing even the shallowest of water, and at an impressive top speed of 50 knots she can cover immense distances allowing you to incorporate as much or as little of your desired itinerary as you wish into your excursion.
Having worked on several high-profile yachts in the past, Captain Graham has been helming LIONSHARE for over a decade, and in that time he has amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge of the most popular yacht charter destinations on the planet, including the ever-popular destinations of the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Captain Graham has been helming LIONSHARE for nearly ten years now, and has amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge of the most popular yacht charter destinations on the planet.
This unparalleled knowledge enables him to guide LIONSHARE into extraordinarily beautiful locations that most superyachts could not even consider, serving to create memorable experiences for all those lucky enough to be on board.
Captain Graham is fabulously good-natured and encourages communication with his guests at every opportunity to ensure everyone on board is having a good time. We also found him to be a bit of a daredevil, happily tying up to rocks in glorious tucked-away sun-kissed coves with astonishing clear blue waters, where we would dive off the back of the boat for a swim followed by a heavenly lunch in our very own idyllic private anchorage!
We all thoroughly enjoyed our time onboard and were reluctant to bid farewell after all our adventures over the past few days, coupled with the exceptional level of personalised care and attention we received from the crew throughout our stay.
If you’ve never dipped your toe in the charter waters before, motor yacht LIONSHARE is the perfect choice. Representing amazing value for money, she is a winning combination of luxury amenities and warm cordiality from her amazing crew, for a truly unforgettable yacht charter whatever the destination.
If you’d like to learn more about chartering M/Y LIONSHARE, please contact your yacht charter broker.
Charter Specification
| Length130' / 39.62m |
| Beam25' / 7.63m |
| Draft7'7 / 2.3m |
| Gross Tonnage236 GT |
| Built| Refit1987 | 2022 |
| Hull MaterialAluminium |
| SuperstructureAluminium |
| ClassificationABS |
| Charter Guests12 |
| Cabins5 |
| Crew7 |
| Max Speed19 knots |
| Cruising Speed12 knots |
| Fuel Consumption46 LPH |
| Range 4,894 nm |
| Range at 10 Knots |
