Refit crew: The best yards for a superyacht reboot

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1 - Orams Marine Orams Marine

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

A superyacht refit can be a great way to give your old yacht a new lease of life. We’ve picked out some of the finest yards from around the world with the skills and expertise needed to pull off such a complicated job, starting with Orams Marine... Founded: 1947 About: The yard specialises in painting and fabrication. Previous notable projects include two of the world’s biggest sailing yachts, the 90 metre Royal Huisman schooner Athena and 91 metre classic yacht Nahlin. Orams Marine is currently carrying out a major overhaul on the 48.5 metre Vitters ketch Thalia, which was launched in 1994 with naval architecture and exterior styling by Ron Holland Design.

Founded: 1947

About: The yard specialises in painting and fabrication. Previous notable projects include two of the world’s biggest sailing yachts, the 90 metre Royal Huisman schooner Athena and 91 metre classic yacht Nahlin. Orams Marine is currently carrying out a major overhaul on the 48.5 metre Vitters ketch Thalia, which was launched in 1994 with naval architecture and exterior styling by Ron Holland Design.

2 - Thunderbolt Marine Thunderbolt Marine

Location: Savannah, Georgia

Founded: 1965 About: Thunderbolt is a full-service, 25-acre facility on the Wilmington River with capacity for sailing and motor yachts up to 60 metres and a Syncrolift with 1,000-tonne hauling capacity. Eleven yachts measuring over 29 metres are currently in the sheds or on the slips — the largest a 60 metre Feadship in for paint and general maintenance — and 20 more under 29 metres are undergoing a variety of work, from mechanical and carpentry to full paint jobs, detailing and antifouling.

Founded: 1965

About: Thunderbolt is a full-service, 25-acre facility on the Wilmington River with capacity for sailing and motor yachts up to 60 metres and a Syncrolift with 1,000-tonne hauling capacity. Eleven yachts measuring over 29 metres are currently in the sheds or on the slips — the largest a 60 metre Feadship in for paint and general maintenance — and 20 more under 29 metres are undergoing a variety of work, from mechanical and carpentry to full paint jobs, detailing and antifouling.

3 - Rivergate Marina Rivergate Marina

Location: Brisbane, Australia

Founded: 2006 About: Rivergate prides itself on its wide range of on-site contractors including naval architects, manufacturers, painters and interior designers. Projects range from 20 to 80 metres, including motor and sailing yachts in steel, aluminium and GRP. The two travelifts on site can lift up to 75 tonnes and 300 tonnes respectively and the yard enjoys access to a 600-tonne travelift and a 2500-tonne slipway. One of the most notable Rivergate refits was a 73 metre SilverYachts motor yacht that was given a complete repaint, custom galley replacement, hull plate replacement, complete carpet replacement and the installation of a beach club, all carried out to Lloyd’s class standards in a tight timeframe of just 73 days. Current projects include a full repaint and sundeck redesign of a 49 metre motor yacht, and submarine and work shelter installation for its 55 metre shadow yacht. Other projects include Qing (pictured above), Cygnus Montanus, Big Fish, Southern Cloud and Aquamarina.

Founded: 2006

About: Rivergate prides itself on its wide range of on-site contractors including naval architects, manufacturers, painters and interior designers. Projects range from 20 to 80 metres, including motor and sailing yachts in steel, aluminium and GRP.

The two travelifts on site can lift up to 75 tonnes and 300 tonnes respectively and the yard enjoys access to a 600-tonne travelift and a 2500-tonne slipway. One of the most notable Rivergate refits was a 73 metre SilverYachts motor yacht that was given a complete repaint, custom galley replacement, hull plate replacement, complete carpet replacement and the installation of a beach club, all carried out to Lloyd’s class standards in a tight timeframe of just 73 days.

Current projects include a full repaint and sundeck redesign of a 49 metre motor yacht, and submarine and work shelter installation for its 55 metre shadow yacht. Other projects include Qing (pictured above), Cygnus Montanus, Big Fish, Southern Cloud and Aquamarina.

4 - Newport Shipyard Newport Shipyard

Location: Newport, Rhode Island

Founded: 1834 About: The yard is equipped with hauling capacity up to 450 tonnes. Up to 300 people work there in season (including contractors) and plans are on the board for expansion. A Gunboat 66, built in South Africa, is currently halfway through its ten-year refit at the yard, while the 28.9 metre Sima, built at Cantiere Navali Santa Margherita, was relaunched in September after a top-to-bottom paint job, engine and carpentry work.

Founded: 1834

About: The yard is equipped with hauling capacity up to 450 tonnes. Up to 300 people work there in season (including contractors) and plans are on the board for expansion. A Gunboat 66, built in South Africa, is currently halfway through its ten-year refit at the yard, while the 28.9 metre Sima, built at Cantiere Navali Santa Margherita, was relaunched in September after a top-to-bottom paint job, engine and carpentry work.

5 - Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard

Location: Gold Coast, Australia

Founded: 2000 About: Australia’s largest refit and repair yard, Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard boasts a diverse offering, with more than 70 marine businesses on-site, employing over 600 marine contractors and covering all aspects of marine refit, maintenance and construction. The hardstanding measures more than 50,000 square metres, a 250-tonne and 50-tonne travelift are based on-site, while the eight purpose-built superyacht refit sheds compliment the dedicated superyacht basin. Metal and GRP fabrication, sailing and motor yacht refinishing are just a few of the yard’s specialities. Sahana is one of the most notable refit projects completed at GCCM. This 37 metre was converted from a private luxury yacht into a vessel aimed squarely at the Australian charter market in 2015 and has since returned each year for her annual maintenance. Current projects include Parriwi (ex-Cambria II) and Southern Cross II.

Founded: 2000

About: Australia’s largest refit and repair yard, Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard boasts a diverse offering, with more than 70 marine businesses on-site, employing over 600 marine contractors and covering all aspects of marine refit, maintenance and construction. The hardstanding measures more than 50,000 square metres, a 250-tonne and 50-tonne travelift are based on-site, while the eight purpose-built superyacht refit sheds compliment the dedicated superyacht basin. Metal and GRP fabrication, sailing and motor yacht refinishing are just a few of the yard’s specialities.

Sahana is one of the most notable refit projects completed at GCCM. This 37 metre was converted from a private luxury yacht into a vessel aimed squarely at the Australian charter market in 2015 and has since returned each year for her annual maintenance. Current projects include Parriwi (ex-Cambria II) and Southern Cross II.

6 - Bradford Marine Bradford Marine

Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Freeport, Bahamas

Founded: 1966 About: Bradford works mostly on motor yachts but has the deep water access suitable for sailing superyachts in Freeport, Bahamas, where its facility has a 1,000-tonne hauling capacity, and can dock yachts up to 122 metres. The Fort Lauderdale yard boasts 3,350 linear metres of covered in-water slips and multiple shops for everything from engine to propeller repair. The yard is currently working on around 40 yachts from 25 to 48 metres, including a 31 metre Feadship, a 46 metre Turquoise and a 1938 Trumpy, with one project occupying six of the yard’s workshops concurrently.

Founded: 1966

About: Bradford works mostly on motor yachts but has the deep water access suitable for sailing superyachts in Freeport, Bahamas, where its facility has a 1,000-tonne hauling capacity, and can dock yachts up to 122 metres. The Fort Lauderdale yard boasts 3,350 linear metres of covered in-water slips and multiple shops for everything from engine to propeller repair.

The yard is currently working on around 40 yachts from 25 to 48 metres, including a 31 metre Feadship, a 46 metre Turquoise and a 1938 Trumpy, with one project occupying six of the yard’s workshops concurrently.

7 - Marine Group Boat Works Marine Group Boat Works

Location: San Diego and National City, California and Los Cabos, Mexico

Founded: 1978 About: From paint to centreboard service, mast stepping/unstepping, hull extensions and custom fabrications, the yard has done it all. It now has a propeller shop to handle specialised calibration works, and National City has become the world’s first solar powered superyacht facility. Of at least 12 refits going on at once, 45 metre Scout is undergoing a swim platform extension and full paint work and 52 metre Big Eagle is back after putting 12,000 hours on its engines since a 2007 repower.

Founded: 1978

About: From paint to centreboard service, mast stepping/unstepping, hull extensions and custom fabrications, the yard has done it all. It now has a propeller shop to handle specialised calibration works, and National City has become the world’s first solar powered superyacht facility. Of at least 12 refits going on at once, 45 metre Scout is undergoing a swim platform extension and full paint work and 52 metre Big Eagle is back after putting 12,000 hours on its engines since a 2007 repower.

8 - RMK Merrill Stevens RMK Merrill Stevens

Location: Miami, Florida

Founded: 1885 About: The new ownership is investing in a new shiplift with a 2,700GT hauling capacity for yachts up to 70 metres (arriving in November 2018) and 2,800 square metres of new workshops and offices for project managers, adding to the 22,300 square metre facility and its 137 metre bulkhead. While upgrading, the yard is busy with various projects over 20 metres, as well as restoring a classic 1930 mahogany Stephens.

Founded: 1885

About: The new ownership is investing in a new shiplift with a 2,700GT hauling capacity for yachts up to 70 metres (arriving in November 2018) and 2,800 square metres of new workshops and offices for project managers, adding to the 22,300 square metre facility and its 137 metre bulkhead. While upgrading, the yard is busy with various projects over 20 metres, as well as restoring a classic 1930 mahogany Stephens.

9 - Ocean Marine Yacht Center Ocean Marine Yacht Center

Location: Portsmouth, Virginia

Founded: 2001 About: The centre is well equipped for work on large motor yachts with 19 acres, a 122-slip marina and a 1,130-tonne, NAVSEA certified Syncrolift capable of hauling yachts up to 71 metres. Current projects include a Seakeeper gyro installation, complete refurbishment of an engine room after a fire, several paint jobs and pre-Caribbean season work.

Founded: 2001

About: The centre is well equipped for work on large motor yachts with 19 acres, a 122-slip marina and a 1,130-tonne, NAVSEA certified Syncrolift capable of hauling yachts up to 71 metres. Current projects include a Seakeeper gyro installation, complete refurbishment of an engine room after a fire, several paint jobs and pre-Caribbean season work.

10 - Platinum Marine Platinum Marine

Location: Vancouver, Canada

Founded: 2004 About: The yard's speciality is complex refits that require design or naval architecture work for projects between 23 and 45 metres in aluminium, steel and GRP. With sister company Wrap Boats on site, an increasing number of yachts come in for vinyl wraps. Among other projects, an 25 metre aluminium custom yacht (pictured above) is receiving new Greg Marshall styling, interiors and systems. A 26 metre Dauntless trawler is getting a three metre GRP extension.

Founded: 2004

About: The yard's speciality is complex refits that require design or naval architecture work for projects between 23 and 45 metres in aluminium, steel and GRP. With sister company Wrap Boats on site, an increasing number of yachts come in for vinyl wraps. Among other projects, an 25 metre aluminium custom yacht (pictured above) is receiving new Greg Marshall styling, interiors and systems. A 26 metre Dauntless trawler is getting a three metre GRP extension.

11 - Front Street Shipyard Front Street Shipyard

Location: Belfast, Maine

Founded: 2011 About: Facilities on six acres, with deep water frontage, can accommodate motor or sailing yachts inside up to 48 metres and up to 61 metres on the docks, with a maximum weight of 440 tonnes. The Gunboat 62 Zenyatta is currently being worked inside and out and fitted with new systems and new carbon daggerboards. Meanwhile, the 25 metre ice-class yacht Sindbad is being fully restored.

Founded: 2011

About: Facilities on six acres, with deep water frontage, can accommodate motor or sailing yachts inside up to 48 metres and up to 61 metres on the docks, with a maximum weight of 440 tonnes. The Gunboat 62 Zenyatta is currently being worked inside and out and fitted with new systems and new carbon daggerboards. Meanwhile, the 25 metre ice-class yacht Sindbad is being fully restored.

12 - Palumbo Palumbo

Ancona and Naples, Italy; Marseilles, France; Malta; Tenerife

Founded: 1967 About: A pick-and-mix of refit services is offered at all five shipyards in the Palumbo Group. Lifting capacity in Ancona is 2,800 tonnes, while there are 700-tonne crane lifts at Marseille and Naples and dry docking facilities for up to 160 metre yachts in Malta. The 49 metre Benetti Francesco Petrarca, and the Columbus Sport Hybrid 40 metre Mia K (ex-Divine) are currently in the sheds and the yard's most famous relaunch was the 88 metre three-masted sailing yacht Maltese Falcon, which visited in 2015. Her ten-year class survey was carried out in the dry dock at Palumbo’s Malta shipyard, and at the same time both controllable pitch propellers and shafts were overhauled.

Founded: 1967

About: A pick-and-mix of refit services is offered at all five shipyards in the Palumbo Group. Lifting capacity in Ancona is 2,800 tonnes, while there are 700-tonne crane lifts at Marseille and Naples and dry docking facilities for up to 160 metre yachts in Malta.

The 49 metre Benetti Francesco Petrarca, and the Columbus Sport Hybrid 40 metre Mia K (ex-Divine) are currently in the sheds and the yard's most famous relaunch was the 88 metre three-masted sailing yacht Maltese Falcon, which visited in 2015. Her ten-year class survey was carried out in the dry dock at Palumbo’s Malta shipyard, and at the same time both controllable pitch propellers and shafts were overhauled.

13 - Derecktor Derecktor

Dania Beach, Florida, US

Founded: 1947 About: Specialising in yachts between 30 metres and 60 metres and up to 900 tonnes displacement, Derecktor is totally rebuilding a 32 metre steel motor yacht at the moment, as well as working on a five-year and ten-year survey project and four exterior paint jobs on vessels up to 52 metres. A 29 metre Brazil-built yacht is being lengthened to 33.5 metres, with an entirely reimagined layout, décor and exterior design — retaining no more than 50 per cent of the hull plating. This yacht will also have the first aviation-grade glass bridge built in the US. Making more of a classic beauty, 46 metre Feadship Highlander was relaunched by Derecktor in 2014 with an extra 3.6 metres on the stern and her superyacht sundeck extended forward. The interior was rejigged for private use from its original corporate entertainment role and given a more contemporary feel. Zero-speed stabilisers and an eco-friendly sewage system were also installed — setting her up for world-roaming adventures.

Founded: 1947

About: Specialising in yachts between 30 metres and 60 metres and up to 900 tonnes displacement, Derecktor is totally rebuilding a 32 metre steel motor yacht at the moment, as well as working on a five-year and ten-year survey project and four exterior paint jobs on vessels up to 52 metres. A 29 metre Brazil-built yacht is being lengthened to 33.5 metres, with an entirely reimagined layout, décor and exterior design — retaining no more than 50 per cent of the hull plating. This yacht will also have the first aviation-grade glass bridge built in the US.

Making more of a classic beauty, 46 metre Feadship Highlander was relaunched by Derecktor in 2014 with an extra 3.6 metres on the stern and her superyacht sundeck extended forward. The interior was rejigged for private use from its original corporate entertainment role and given a more contemporary feel. Zero-speed stabilisers and an eco-friendly sewage system were also installed — setting her up for world-roaming adventures.

14 - Lauderdale Marine Center Lauderdale Marine Center

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US

Founded: 1996 About: This sprawling 26,000 square metre facility can take yachts up to 60 metres and has haul-out capacity of up to 485 tonnes. Seven motor yacht projects between 30 metres and 47.5 metres are in the works. The latter is a 20-year-old Trinity, getting a complete mechanical overhaul and upgrade, a five-year ABS survey and a paint job. Bad Company — at 44 metres, the world’s largest sportfishing boat — was relaunched at Lauderdale Marine Center in early 2017 with a pair of brand new engines. The yard cut a hole in the side of the hull, swapping the old and new engines through it.

Founded: 1996

About: This sprawling 26,000 square metre facility can take yachts up to 60 metres and has haul-out capacity of up to 485 tonnes. Seven motor yacht projects between 30 metres and 47.5 metres are in the works. The latter is a 20-year-old Trinity, getting a complete mechanical overhaul and upgrade, a five-year ABS survey and a paint job.

Bad Company — at 44 metres, the world’s largest sportfishing boat — was relaunched at Lauderdale Marine Center in early 2017 with a pair of brand new engines. The yard cut a hole in the side of the hull, swapping the old and new engines through it.

15 - Astilleros De Mallorca Astilleros De Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Founded: 1942 About: Astilleros has the facilities to haul vessels of up to 1,700 tonnes and 100 metres, and provide berthing for up to 110 metre yachts. It recently opened a second office and workshops at the STP site. The 52.8 metre motor yacht Passion had “spectacular” changes made to her in a 2003 refit. These included moving the tender storage from the top deck to the lower deck and replacing the lifting crane with a sliding davit.

Founded: 1942

About: Astilleros has the facilities to haul vessels of up to 1,700 tonnes and 100 metres, and provide berthing for up to 110 metre yachts. It recently opened a second office and workshops at the STP site. The 52.8 metre motor yacht Passion had “spectacular” changes made to her in a 2003 refit. These included moving the tender storage from the top deck to the lower deck and replacing the lifting crane with a sliding davit.

16 - Pendennis Pendennis

Falmouth, UK (with a service centre in Palma and yacht support offices in Auckland)

Founded: 1988 About: Pendennis has a 400-strong workforce, a 150 metre dry dock, 640 tonne hoist, and can accommodate sailing and motor yachts between 24 metres and 100 metres. The yard is currently working on a repeat visitor — Herreshoff schooner Mariette of 1915 (in for the fourth time) — plus two other sailing yachts between 39 metres and 45 metres, and four motor yachts between 49 metres and 75 metres. In terms of previous highlights, the 85.6 metre Aquila became the largest superyacht to be refitted in the UK when she was relaunched by Pendennis in 2016. In one year, the yard dramatically modified 800 square metres of space, including adding an 80 square metre owner’s terrace and a cinema.

Founded: 1988

About:Pendennis has a 400-strong workforce, a 150 metre dry dock, 640 tonne hoist, and can accommodate sailing and motor yachts between 24 metres and 100 metres. The yard is currently working on a repeat visitor — Herreshoff schooner Mariette of 1915 (in for the fourth time) — plus two other sailing yachts between 39 metres and 45 metres, and four motor yachts between 49 metres and 75 metres.

In terms of previous highlights, the 85.6 metre Aquila became the largest superyacht to be refitted in the UK when she was relaunched by Pendennis in 2016. In one year, the yard dramatically modified 800 square metres of space, including adding an 80 square metre owner’s terrace and a cinema.

17 - Compositeworks Compositeworks

La Ciotat and La Rochelle, France

Founded: 1998 About: Recently aquired by MB92, Compositeworks' specialities include the maintenance, refit and rebuild of sail and motor yachts from 30 metres to 200 metres. Last year the company opened a new technical office for engineering and naval architectural expertise. The yard is currently working on 10 projects between 30 metres and 90 metres, three of which are over 60 metres. The yard is currently working — in partnership with speed experts at the Wolfson Research Institute in the UK — on a 50 metre motor yacht, which will have a total engine room rebuild and a hydrodynamic hull remodelling that will deliver a more than two knot improvement in maximum speed and double the vessel’s range. In 2015 the company finished a major refit on the 67 metre Feadship Falcon Lair (ex-New Horizon L). The work included a total remodelling of the superstructure and a 3 metre transom extension, to a design by UK architects Olesinski.

Founded: 1998

About:Recently aquired by MB92, Compositeworks' specialities include the maintenance, refit and rebuild of sail and motor yachts from 30 metres to 200 metres. Last year the company opened a new technical office for engineering and naval architectural expertise.

The yard is currently working on 10 projects between 30 metres and 90 metres, three of which are over 60 metres. The yard is currently working — in partnership with speed experts at the Wolfson Research Institute in the UK — on a 50 metre motor yacht, which will have a total engine room rebuild and a hydrodynamic hull remodelling that will deliver a more than two knot improvement in maximum speed and double the vessel’s range.

In 2015 the company finished a major refit on the 67 metre Feadship Falcon Lair (ex-New Horizon L). The work included a total remodelling of the superstructure and a 3 metre transom extension, to a design by UK architects Olesinski.

18 - Lusben Lusben

Viareggio and Livorno, Italy

Founded: 1956 About: The Viareggio facility takes yachts from 30 metres to 50 metres, with a travel lift and paint shed, while the Livorno one takes 55 metre to 120 metre yachts with a dry dock, 2,500 tonne ship lift and 180 metre float-in dock. A 52 metre Benetti is currently receiving a thorough spruce up at the yard. Lusben is renovating the interior and giving external areas a contemporary touch. It has already converted the owner’s cabin and study into a bigger cabin with a small staff cabin. Lighting has been a major theme: the exterior boat names have been replaced with more contemporary versions lit with RGB LEDs; external stairs and seats have been decorated with LED strip lights; while 26 underwater LEDs will give her a glamorous night-time look. A staggered project on a 47 metre — one 10 month refit and a second, eight month one — has kept the yard busy for the last couple of years. About 200 workers were involved, along with three project managers, two designers and a naval engineer, who collectively put in around 100,000 hours. The biggest challenge was lengthening the stern by 4.7 metres, but the yard also added new anchor stabilisation, air conditioning and fresh water systems, plus new teak on deck and a complete paint job.

Founded: 1956

About: The Viareggio facility takes yachts from 30 metres to 50 metres, with a travel lift and paint shed, while the Livorno one takes 55 metre to 120 metre yachts with a dry dock, 2,500 tonne ship lift and 180 metre float-in dock.

A 52 metre Benetti is currently receiving a thorough spruce up at the yard. Lusben is renovating the interior and giving external areas a contemporary touch. It has already converted the owner’s cabin and study into a bigger cabin with a small staff cabin. Lighting has been a major theme: the exterior boat names have been replaced with more contemporary versions lit with RGB LEDs; external stairs and seats have been decorated with LED strip lights; while 26 underwater LEDs will give her a glamorous night-time look.

A staggered project on a 47 metre — one 10 month refit and a second, eight month one — has kept the yard busy for the last couple of years. About 200 workers were involved, along with three project managers, two designers and a naval engineer, who collectively put in around 100,000 hours. The biggest challenge was lengthening the stern by 4.7 metres, but the yard also added new anchor stabilisation, air conditioning and fresh water systems, plus new teak on deck and a complete paint job.

19 - STP Palma STP Palma

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Founded: 2006 About: STP doesn’t directly engage in refit work but operates an open shipyard in which 450 different companies are registered to work. There are five travel lifts, the biggest of which has a 700 tonne capacity, with a new 900-tonne lift arriving in 2018. Projects under way include three major paint jobs: 62 metre Feadship New Hampshire, 78 metre Abeking & Rasmussen Eminence, and 52 metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Squall. In 2015 STP finished an unusual refit: 53 metre Mirage had spent seven months there during each of the three previous winters, allowing the owner to enjoy the boat in the summers. The work included re-insulation of the engine room and installation of new engines and a new bow thruster, along with external paint jobs.

Founded: 2006

About: STP doesn’t directly engage in refit work but operates an open shipyard in which 450 different companies are registered to work. There are five travel lifts, the biggest of which has a 700 tonne capacity, with a new 900-tonne lift arriving in 2018.

Projects under way include three major paint jobs: 62 metre Feadship New Hampshire, 78 metre Abeking & Rasmussen Eminence, and 52 metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Squall.

In 2015 STP finished an unusual refit: 53 metre Mirage had spent seven months there during each of the three previous winters, allowing the owner to enjoy the boat in the summers. The work included re-insulation of the engine room and installation of new engines and a new bow thruster, along with external paint jobs.

20 - Lürssen at Blohm + Voss Lürssen at Blohm + Voss

Hamburg, Germany

Founded: 1877  About: Blohm+Voss became part of the Lürssen group in 2016 and now its major refit activities are undertaken at the Blohm+Voss facilities, under the Lürssen label. With 451,000 square metres of yard, including 92,000 square metres of covered facilities, the builder can undertake serious steel and aluminium modifications on the very largest yachts, including lengthening, helipad installations and submarine docking stations. It also does system overhauls. Confidentiality means details of current projects are scarce, but nine yachts from 85 metres to over 100 metres have been refitted. We also know that two major yachts — both among the world’s largest — visited for refits within the past 12 months. The 105 metre Blohm+Voss Lady Moura (pictured) had an overhaul and paint job, while 141 metre Yas underwent some interior and maintenance works.

Founded: 1877 

About:Blohm+Voss became part of the Lürssen group in 2016 and now its major refit activities are undertaken at the Blohm+Voss facilities, under the Lürssen label. With 451,000 square metres of yard, including 92,000 square metres of covered facilities, the builder can undertake serious steel and aluminium modifications on the very largest yachts, including lengthening, helipad installations and submarine docking stations. It also does system overhauls.

Confidentiality means details of current projects are scarce, but nine yachts from 85 metres to over 100 metres have been refitted. We also know that two major yachts — both among the world’s largest — visited for refits within the past 12 months. The 105 metre Blohm+Voss Lady Moura (pictured) had an overhaul and paint job, while 141 metre Yas underwent some interior and maintenance works.

21 - Solent Refit Solent Refit

Hythe, Hampshire, UK

Founded: 2010 About: Solent Refit's horizontal platform slipway can lift yachts of up to 1,500 tonnes and 65 metres, which can then be transferred to an undercover 10,000 square metre refit hall via a powered rail system. Currently in the sheds are an explorer yacht rebuild and the 57 metre Lady K II (ex-Princess Tanya), currently for sale with an ongoing refit. A 38 metre Amels is having a major re-style and rebuild. It will involve an extension to the upper deck superstructure, with a new flybridge, spa pool and bar arrangement, and a new swimming platform. In 2013 the yard completed a refit on the 57 metre three-masted schooner Montigne. The yacht had just returned from a world promotional trip for a whisky distillery that had required the vessel to be considerably modified, and the yard was asked to return her to her original splendour.

Founded: 2010

About: Solent Refit's horizontal platform slipway can lift yachts of up to 1,500 tonnes and 65 metres, which can then be transferred to an undercover 10,000 square metre refit hall via a powered rail system.

Currently in the sheds are an explorer yacht rebuild and the 57 metre Lady K II (ex-Princess Tanya), currently for sale with an ongoing refit. A 38 metre Amels is having a major re-style and rebuild. It will involve an extension to the upper deck superstructure, with a new flybridge, spa pool and bar arrangement, and a new swimming platform.

In 2013 the yard completed a refit on the 57 metre three-masted schooner Montigne. The yacht had just returned from a world promotional trip for a whisky distillery that had required the vessel to be considerably modified, and the yard was asked to return her to her original splendour.

22 - Monaco Marine Monaco Marine

Location: Monaco; Beaulieu-sur-Mer, St Laurent-du-Var, Antibes, Golfe de Saint-Tropez, La Ciotat and (from 2018) La Seyne-sur-Mer (all in France)

Founded: 1995 About: The yard has a marina in Monaco and a range of refit services at other venues, a 2,000-tonne ship lift for vessels up to 80 metres at La Ciotat, and travel lifts between 40 and 500 tonnes at other locations. Twenty-nine yachts between 30 metres and 74 metres are currently in the sheds. The 72 metre Feadship Predator first came to Monaco Marine in 2010 and has been back every year since. The main work carried out has been the redesign of the interior spaces to allow the addition of two extra guest cabins, and the application of her distinctive paint scheme.

Founded: 1995

About: The yard has a marina in Monaco and a range of refit services at other venues, a 2,000-tonne ship lift for vessels up to 80 metres at La Ciotat, and travel lifts between 40 and 500 tonnes at other locations. Twenty-nine yachts between 30 metres and 74 metres are currently in the sheds.

The 72 metre Feadship Predator first came to Monaco Marine in 2010 and has been back every year since. The main work carried out has been the redesign of the interior spaces to allow the addition of two extra guest cabins, and the application of her distinctive paint scheme.

23 - Amico & Co Amico & Co

Genoa, Italy

Founded: 1991 About: The company has four dry dock slots, catering to yachts of up to 171 metres, including a state-of-the-art and purpose-built 102 metre covered graving dock and a new 90 metre dry-dock shed. Fourteen yachts over 60 metres are expected to be refitted this winter. The yard is preparing to start work on a 79 metres. It will do a complete paint job, renew teak decking, re-caulk remaining teak and replace deck fittings. In terms of technical edits, it will overhaul the main engines, replace the diesel generators and install exhaust gas purification systems to make her a greener machine. In 2016 Amico & Co converted an 85 metre passenger vessel into 91.5 metre superyacht Queen Miri (pictured). It refurbished 80 per cent of the interior, added a floodable tender garage in the stern extension that converts into a heated seawater swimming pool, replaced the main engines and added three new generators.

Founded: 1991

About: The company has four dry dock slots, catering to yachts of up to 171 metres, including a state-of-the-art and purpose-built 102 metre covered graving dock and a new 90 metre dry-dock shed.

Fourteen yachts over 60 metres are expected to be refitted this winter. The yard is preparing to start work on a 79 metres. It will do a complete paint job, renew teak decking, re-caulk remaining teak and replace deck fittings. In terms of technical edits, it will overhaul the main engines, replace the diesel generators and install exhaust gas purification systems to make her a greener machine.

In 2016 Amico & Co converted an 85 metre passenger vessel into 91.5 metre superyacht Queen Miri (pictured). It refurbished 80 per cent of the interior, added a floodable tender garage in the stern extension that converts into a heated seawater swimming pool, replaced the main engines and added three new generators.

24 - Nuovi Cantieri Apuania Nuovi Cantieri Apuania

Tuscany, Italy

Founded: 1942 About: Seriously big boats are welcome — the yard has a 200 metre dry dock and a floating dock for yachts up to 90 metres. The specialised refit team has a stainless steel workshop and an in-house upholstery department at its disposal, and there is a “crew village”, which includes a bar, spa and gym. Yachts currently in the sheds include Inmocean (41 metres), Ohana (50 metres), Sophie Blue (41 metres), St David (60 metres) and San Gennaro (29 metres). Last winter the yard carried out a massive refit to the 65 metre Maìn. This involved not only a complete paint job but re-fairing as well, plus sand-blasting and treatment of tanks, steering overhaul, an engine room upgrade, and renewal of the teak decks and sundeck glass.

Founded: 1942

About: Seriously big boats are welcome — the yard has a 200 metre dry dock and a floating dock for yachts up to 90 metres. The specialised refit team has a stainless steel workshop and an in-house upholstery department at its disposal, and there is a “crew village”, which includes a bar, spa and gym. Yachts currently in the sheds include Inmocean (41 metres), Ohana (50 metres), Sophie Blue (41 metres), St David (60 metres) and San Gennaro (29 metres).

Last winter the yard carried out a massive refit to the 65 metre Maìn. This involved not only a complete paint job but re-fairing as well, plus sand-blasting and treatment of tanks, steering overhaul, an engine room upgrade, and renewal of the teak decks and sundeck glass.

25 - Balk Balk

Urk, the Netherlands

Founded: 1798 About: The yard has a 1,500-tonne ship lift and three sheds for yachts up to 65 metres. Last April the 31 metre Sandalphon (pictured) was relaunched having been extended by four metres. They stripped the yacht back to a bare hull, cut her athwartships in two places and inserted new sections. She was then rebuilt as an explorer yacht with new interior and exterior styling by Azure Naval Architects.

Founded: 1798

About: The yard has a 1,500-tonne ship lift and three sheds for yachts up to 65 metres. Last April the 31 metre Sandalphon (pictured) was relaunched having been extended by four metres. They stripped the yacht back to a bare hull, cut her athwartships in two places and inserted new sections. She was then rebuilt as an explorer yacht with new interior and exterior styling by Azure Naval Architects.

26 - Cantiere Rossini Cantiere Rossini

Pesaro, Italy

Founded: 2015 About: They do everything from minor repairs and routine maintenance to complete refits for motor yachts between 30 metres and 55 metres. A 600-tonne travel lift will soon be up and running.

Founded: 2015

About: They do everything from minor repairs and routine maintenance to complete refits for motor yachts between 30 metres and 55 metres. A 600-tonne travel lift will soon be up and running.

27 - MB92 MB92

Barcelona, Spain

Founded: 1992 About: Each year MB92 carries out refit work to more than 100 superyachts between 35 metres and 200 metres. The 65 metre Lürssen Polar Star (pictured) had a major refit at the yard recently. The interior was totally re-imagined to meet the new owner’s desire to make it more in tune with the environment. The aft platform was extended by 2.2 metres and the superyacht spa pool on the bridge deck was changed from a hexagonal shape to a square, with more space for sunpads either side.

Founded: 1992

About: Each year MB92 carries out refit work to more than 100 superyachts between 35 metres and 200 metres. The 65 metre Lürssen Polar Star (pictured) had a major refit at the yard recently. The interior was totally re-imagined to meet the new owner’s desire to make it more in tune with the environment. The aft platform was extended by 2.2 metres and the superyacht spa pool on the bridge deck was changed from a hexagonal shape to a square, with more space for sunpads either side.

28 - Nautech Nautech

La Ciotat, Marseille, Villefranche and Toulon, (all in France); Cuba; Martinique

Founded: 1996 About: The yard refits and repairs motor and sailing yachts from 25 metres to 140 metres. In a recent project Nautech converted a 35 metre French customs vessel into a yacht. Workers modified the structure, replaced tank steelwork, added new power management and a bow thruster, significantly altered the interior and exterior styling and layout, and finished off with a full paint job. Nautech completed 15 yacht refits in 2016. The yard keeps its project details confidential but was able to name drop the famed Feadships Callisto and Siran (pictured above), Proteksan Turquoise yacht Sequel P and 64 metre sailing yacht Mikhail S Vorontsov.

Founded: 1996

About: The yard refits and repairs motor and sailing yachts from 25 metres to 140 metres. In a recent project Nautech converted a 35 metre French customs vessel into a yacht. Workers modified the structure, replaced tank steelwork, added new power management and a bow thruster, significantly altered the interior and exterior styling and layout, and finished off with a full paint job.

Nautech completed 15 yacht refits in 2016. The yard keeps its project details confidential but was able to name drop the famed Feadships Callisto and Siran (pictured above), Proteksan Turquoise yacht Sequel P and 64 metre sailing yacht Mikhail S Vorontsov.

29 - Trieste Refitting System Trieste Refitting System

Trieste, Italy

Founded: 1991 About: This marine engineering and joinery specialist boasts a dry dock capacity of 150 metres. Last winter TRS carried out an extensive refit to the 80 metre CRN Chopi Chopi (pictured). This work included a new owner’s suite, bathroom, office and gym. The 52 metre passenger ship Ambriabella, meanwhile, will soon be converted into a yacht.

Founded: 1991

About: This marine engineering and joinery specialist boasts a dry dock capacity of 150 metres. Last winter TRS carried out an extensive refit to the 80 metre CRN Chopi Chopi (pictured). This work included a new owner’s suite, bathroom, office and gym. The 52 metre passenger ship Ambriabella, meanwhile, will soon be converted into a yacht.

30 - Rybovich Rybovich

Palm Beach, USA

Founded: 1919, the current owners took over in 2004. About: “We’ve extended outside of our basin, 228.6 metre deep draught dockage to make it even easier for large, transient yachts of up to 91.4 metres to visit us with a 5.2 metre draught,” says François van Well, VP of business development. The biggest change is the yard’s expansion. Its Rybovich North facility has five times the land, a 150-tonne travel lift and has been dredged to a depth of five metres. Recent Rybovich projects have included painting 75.5 metre Oceanco motor yacht Anastasia, 63 metre Feadship motor yacht Lady Britt and 73 metre Picchiotti Grace E (pictured above). Larger projects due to start this season include a clutch of Lürssen motor yachts — 85 metre Solandge, 96 metre Limitless, 78 metre TV — plus 83.5 metre Feadship Savannah. The yard is also popular with classics for Lloyd’s surveys and now that Rybovich is a co-owner of the St Barths Bucket, it has seen an increase in its sailing customers.

Founded: 1919, the current owners took over in 2004.

About: “We’ve extended outside of our basin, 228.6 metre deep draught dockage to make it even easier for large, transient yachts of up to 91.4 metres to visit us with a 5.2 metre draught,” says François van Well, VP of business development. The biggest change is the yard’s expansion. Its Rybovich North facility has five times the land, a 150-tonne travel lift and has been dredged to a depth of five metres.

Recent Rybovich projects have included painting 75.5 metre Oceanco motor yacht Anastasia, 63 metre Feadship motor yacht Lady Britt and 73 metre Picchiotti Grace E (pictured above). Larger projects due to start this season include a clutch of Lürssen motor yachts — 85 metre Solandge, 96 metre Limitless, 78 metre TV — plus 83.5 metre Feadship Savannah. The yard is also popular with classics for Lloyd’s surveys and now that Rybovich is a co-owner of the St Barths Bucket, it has seen an increase in its sailing customers.

31 - Melita Marine Group Melita Marine Group

Gzira, Malta

Founded: 1989 About: Melita Marine Group started out small, offering basic yachting services. Within a decade it had expanded, setting up Melita Power Diesel for engine repairs and Melita Yacht Painters with a team of eight professional painters specialising in Awlgrip applications. Yachts measuring up to 140 metres can be looked after, with work ranging from regular maintenance to engine overhauls or big interior revamps. In 2016, Melita Marine refitted 12 yachts over 30 metres, including 70 metre Lürssen Martha Ann (pictured), whose captain praised the yard’s ability to deliver on time and on budget.

Founded: 1989

About: Melita Marine Group started out small, offering basic yachting services. Within a decade it had expanded, setting up Melita Power Diesel for engine repairs and Melita Yacht Painters with a team of eight professional painters specialising in Awlgrip applications. Yachts measuring up to 140 metres can be looked after, with work ranging from regular maintenance to engine overhauls or big interior revamps.

In 2016, Melita Marine refitted 12 yachts over 30 metres, including 70 metre Lürssen Martha Ann (pictured), whose captain praised the yard’s ability to deliver on time and on budget.