Starfire's finely tuned evolution

From the moment she was acquired, Starfire was destined for change – not radical transformation, but instead a finely tuned evolution. The buyer, an experienced yacht owner with a loyal crew in tow, knew exactly what he was looking for. He wanted the soul of a pedigree yacht with the performance and polish of a modern charter queen and a vessel capable and lavish enough to continue the well-established Starfire legacy.

What followed was a meticulous collaboration between Arrow yacht management, the refit team at Abeking & Rasmussen, and a hand-picked team of designers and craftsmen. The result? A yacht that marries exquisite quality with contemporary comfort, one ready to take a starring role on the world charter stage.

The owner wanted the soul of a pedigree yacht with the oerformance and polish of a modern charter queen

“She was a diamond of a yacht just waiting to be picked up,” says Captain Paul Duncan, who has overseen the project from purchase to relaunch. “She was so well preserved in the interior and in other areas by her previous owners and crew.” The owner, who at the time had the 54-metre Benetti Starfire, had been quietly hunting for a larger vessel when Saint Nicolas caught his eye. No time was wasted, a team was assembled, and plans were laid down for her future before the deal even closed.

This wasn’t a blank-slate refit. Rather, it was a conversation with the yacht’s original character. Much of the high-quality joinery (rich cherry and redwood cabinetry, curved panels, marble and parquet flooring) was kept intact. Even soft furnishings were selectively retained. “It would have been a crime to rip out woodwork in that condition,” Duncan adds.

One of the key goals was to open the yacht up to natural light and flow. Non-structural columns were removed and, wherever possible, windows were extended to full height. Window treatments were minimised or eliminated entirely to allow light and views to flood in. The result is a sense of air and ease rarely experienced on yachts of her generation.

Some of the most technically challenging aspects of the refit included fitting a completely new exhaust gas cleaning system for the generator sets, as well as larger shore power converters. “These required careful engineering without compromising existing systems,” says Stina Krause, head of marketing and sales management at Abeking & Rasmussen. “We also designed a new storage and handling solution for the Hudson tender on the extended swim platform.”

Though her profile remains quintessentially Lürssen, Starfire’s exterior has been subtly and strategically refined. “The owner’s vision was to make the boat sleek and more modern,” explains exterior designer Kristian Pascoli of Pascoli International, who had also worked on the vessel in her Saint Nicolas days. “After playing with a few other colours, we chose black for the accents to give the effect of slimming the boat, as she was quite voluminous from inception.”

The team began with the deckhouse and continued from there, adding black window bands and detailing around the mast. “It’s a retro look inspired by yachts of the 1990s, but made contemporary,” Pascoli adds. The exterior now complements the interior with a cohesive rhythm, thanks to what Pascoli calls “transition zones” – elements designed to ease the guest experience as they move between indoor and outdoor spaces. “The black surfaces are also highly reflective,” he adds, “which enhances the [feeling of] flow further.”

A key structural change came in the form of a 2.75-metre swim platform extension. “This was done to facilitate boarding and disembarkation for up to 10 guests, but also the owner loves to have ‘al aqua’ dining, eating right on the water,” says Pascoli. “So we created a whole new deck with awnings, lighting and soft seating, an area the owners love.”

Pascoli also created the new wellness area on the top deck, closing it in with floating glass panels and doors to form an air-conditioned, private retreat complete with spa and gym, sauna, massage area, yoga space and an ice bath. It’s a strong showcase for his studio, one of the first major projects since launching his own firm 18 months ago. “The transformation is so complete, some people don’t even recognise the boat as Saint Nicolas,” he says.

Krause notes the importance of maintaining quality throughout this refit stage. “The new paintwork was particularly challenging, especially the black and white elements, but we always prioritised quality over deadlines. Paintwork, especially in these tones, requires precision and patience.”

Many spaces seem designed not just to impress, but to invite you to sit down, slow down and stay a while.

More than reflecting a mood or era, the interior refit was grounded in practicality and subtlety. “The central design concept was to streamline the yacht’s overall aesthetic, reducing elements of her heavily traditional decor,” says Knowles. But this was never about stripping away her essence. “Both the owner and I decided to honour the heritage of the vessel in the sense of respecting her DNA, which is hardwired in the traditional genre.”

That meant working within the “envelope” of the original millwork, which was and continues to be intricate, beautiful, and key to the yacht’s identity. New furnishings followed the same principle: “Traditional in silhouette, yet contemporary in styling and materials,” says Knowles. Seating retains classical forms but is made more streamlined and covered in updated materials.

In the entertainment spaces, the emphasis shifts decisively towards indulgence and enjoyment

Slipcover upholstery, used extensively by the owner on his previous yacht, inspired a desire to “deformalise” the decor without making it too casual. Light neutrals dominate, punctuated by the yacht’s rich woodwork and a striking black-and-white photo art installation that celebrates the owner’s love for New Orleans jazz and Louisiana life in the bayou. “You can tell the owner has a love for the American South,” Captain Duncan agrees. “He’s added real character to the yacht.”

Throughout the interior, you’ll also find carefully curated book collections. Many spaces seem designed not just to impress, but to invite you to sit down, slow down and stay a while.

Crew can set up a full shuffleboard court on request, ideal for more leisurely matchups (cocktail in hand, optional but encouraged)

Seven guest suites include a full-beam master with its original opulent jade green marble bathroom, and two VIP suites on the main deck. Each of the lower-deck cabins, all spacious enough to earn the title “suite”, includes a desk, lounge area, walk-in wardrobe and large en-suite bathroom. “Every room is somewhere you could spend real time,” says Duncan. “They’re more than just a place to sleep.”

In the entertainment spaces, the emphasis shifts decisively towards indulgence and enjoyment. There’s a dedicated cinema area tucked beside a classic English pub, complete with booth seating, an arcade machine and an American dartboard – playful nods to the owner’s love of nostalgia and sociable spaces. Outside, it’s all about laid-back luxury: think sunbeds and cabanas, a swim-up bar, shuffleboard court, an outdoor cinema and even a regulation height basketball hoop on the sundeck, or as the team now refers to it: the fun deck.

Starfire is positioned for high-end charter through Northrop & Johnson, and she brings serious hardware to the table. The tender garage includes a jet boat, ski boat, e-foils, jet skis, Seabobs, surfboards, dive kit and a range of inflatables, including a sea pool. There’s also the custom Hinckley tender, Starlet.

Starfire’s range of 5,500 nautical miles at 12 knots makes her more than capable of transatlantic crossings and remote cruising. Thanks to the increased waterline length from her platform extension, she’s also gained both speed and fuel efficiency. “This yacht is 2.5 times the size – both in weight and volume – of the former Starfire, but with only 20 per cent more fuel consumption,” Duncan says. “Incredible, isn’t it?”

Beyond the guest areas, the refit placed emphasis on crew well-being. “The owner really understands what makes a charter yacht function efficiently,” Duncan adds. All crew cabins were upgraded with wide beds, generous storage and individual flatscreens. A new laundry room, enhanced galley, crew mess upgrades and a crew gym reflect his commitment to enhancing the day-to-day life for the crew.

“Every room is somewhere you could spend real time. They’re more than just a place to sleep.”

Starfire debuted at the MYBA Charter Show in Genoa and at the time of press is preparing for a busy dual season programme, starting in the Mediterranean before heading to the Caribbean. After that, upgraded dive equipment hints at adventures further afield, including possible cruising in the Galápagos, Pacific islands and beyond.

“The new owner has really reinvigorated her,” says Duncan and despite her traditional leanings, Starfire is proving to have wide-reaching appeal among her charter guests. “We’ve had Silicon Valley clients on board who’ve said, ‘At home everything is so minimalist and plain. Being on a yacht like this, it’s so glamorous, so classically timeless. You could imagine Hollywood legends sitting at the bar.’”

Looking back, Krause credits the successful outcome to a blend of process, people and communication. She notes that the close collaboration with both Knowles and Pascoli International was essential to achieving a cohesive result. “The exterior changes, especially the new paint scheme, transformed the yacht and gave her a fresh, contemporary identity without losing her original character.”

Krause also points out how a major glow up has been achieved in a short amount of time. “What stands out in this project is how a relatively limited number of changes resulted in a transformation that makes the yacht look almost like a new build.”