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November 2026 issue

If it’s not hard, it’s not worth doing, so they say. Dennis Washington, the serial owner who has undertaken at least seven refits, once told this magazine that either you get the appeal of refit, or you don’t. Some choose it because they value the romance of a historical yacht over a modern hull, others to attain a yacht whose quality or size might otherwise be out of reach. Whatever the motivation, owners who refit share a tenacity, patience and tolerance (even appetite) for uncertainty. Because there are always a few surprises lurking beneath the teak.

In this spirit, while refit might sound a little less glamorous than our usual subject matter, these projects are often the most exciting and dramatic we cover. Take the reinvention of our cover boat Moonstone, which included a seven-metre stern extension to create an exceptional on-water space. We dive deeper into the subject of transom revamps – making the most of this space can truly transform life on board (and make your yacht more attractive to buyers). If racing is more your bag than lounging on the swim platform, we have explored the refit rules that can win you precious seconds on the course. They will also help you decide which sacrifices you want to make for speed – and which you don’t. Finally, and most importantly, we have published our essential guide to avoiding common refit pitfalls. Do not cut steel without it.

No matter the reason behind a refit, there’s something deeply exciting – to the Dennis Washingtons among us, anyway – about the potential of transforming a real boat from one thing into another. It certainly is a mindset; perhaps it’s the difference between a sculptor and a painter. In any case, we hope you enjoy the spectacular superyachts in this, our Refit Special. However they came to be, we only cover masterpieces.

Caroline White
Editor

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