There are yachts you notice, and then there's AURELIA. Painted in the unmistakable blue and orange of the Gulf Oil Company, this 122' Heesen has been one of the most recognizable charter yachts in the Mediterranean for over a decade. Her paint job isn't just a design statement. It's a tribute to the birth of GT motorcar racing.
A Story That Starts in 1956
To understand AURELIA, you have to go back to the 1950s, when Europe was rebuilding after the war and prosperity was returning to the continent. Car manufacturers who had spent years building affordable, everyday cars started to build something nicer, with bigger engines and better brakes.
It was Lancia, the Italian manufacturer, who coined a term that would define an entire category of car: Gran Turismo. Their car was called the Lancia Aurelia, widely considered the mother of every GT car that followed, from the Porsche 911 to the Ford GT40.
AURELIA the yacht takes her name, and her spirit, directly from that heritage.
A Yacht Built Like a Race Car
Launched by Heesen in 2011 as the tenth yacht in the yard's celebrated 3700 series, AURELIA wears her Gulf Oil livery as more than a paint scheme. Gulf Oil has sponsored GT motorcar racing since the sport's earliest days, and the yacht's exterior design pays direct homage to that legacy.
But it's below deck where the tribute really comes to life. Details throughout the yacht nod to motorsport history:
- Leather crafted at the Ferrari factory in Italy, used throughout the upholstery and furnishings
- Tire tread patterns worked into the carpets and cushions
- A Shoart clock on the ceiling, a nod to the official race timers of motorcar racing
- Subtle racing motifs in the bed heads, hardware, and flooring
With interior styling by Bannenberg & Rowell, AURELIA feels less like a traditional superyacht and more like a tribute to a century of racing heritage.
Life Aboard AURELIA
AURELIA accommodates up to 8 guests across 4 cabins, including a full beam Master suite on the main deck. Outdoor living is just as considered, with a sheltered aft cockpit, a spacious sundeck with al fresco seating and a bar, forward lounging in front of the wheelhouse, and a generous foredeck for sunbathing.
A full complement of tenders and water toys, including a custom Pascoe chase boat finished in matching Gulf livery, keep the on water experience just as memorable as time spent aboard.
Experience AURELIA for Yourself
More than a decade after her launch, AURELIA remains one of the most requested charter yachts in the Mediterranean. Explore her full charter details below.
