Frans Heesen founded Heesen Yachts in 1978 intent on building the world’s fastest yachts. His demanding clientele couldn’t find what they wanted in a market dominated by steel displacement yachts built for long-range cruising. The Dutch yard has come full circle, not giving up its specialty in the higher-speed arena, but adding a series of displacement yachts to round out its portfolio. It was clear during my visit that one of the new designs had caught the eye and heart of the patriarch, a man who has lived most of his life at a fast pace, on land and water alike. I had a rare and exclusive opportunity for a one-on-one with a more relaxed Frans Heesen as he and Petra watched the bustle of the Monaco Yacht Show from Lady Petra’s spacious and well-appointed afterdeck.