The 45-metre Royal Hakvoort motor yacht Awatea has been relaunched at Balk Shipyard in the Netherlands after an extensive seven-month refit.
The refit programme included numerous technical upgrades, as well as changes to both her exterior and interior - the most notable of which was a full hull and superstructure repaint, changing her custom pastel blue hull to a Poseidon Metallic Blue in an ode to her original colour scheme. Antifouling was also applied and spot corrosion work was completed to ensure longevity.
Other major works included the service and surveying of all of Awatea's main equipment, including engines and generators, watermaker, sewage treatment plant and more. Exterior modifications stretched from the revarnishing of exterior furnishing, deck doors and other details, to the replacement of several windows.
In terms of technical equipment, the yacht was fitted with a "completely upgraded" HVAC system, new radars, depth and speed sensors and received a full upgrade of the AMS and PMCS systems. The lighting system was also upgraded throughout and the galley was renovated.
The shipyard noted that, due to the closeness of the Dutch yacht-building industry, the tradesmen who worked on Awatea's original build were easily accessible to ensure the correct upgrades could be carried out. Balk referenced the yacht's unique door hinge system, which had suffered minor damage and was unable to be fixed in the Americas, but was quickly resolved upon arrival.
Awatea was delivered by Royal Hakvoort in 2008 as the very first Hakvoort designed by Cor D. Rover and, at the time, the fourth largest yacht ever built by the Dutch yard. She also carried "cutting-edge integrated technology", including first-of-their-kind, web-based systems from VBH, alongside "spirited" interiors from Dutch designer Felix Buytendijk, described as "sailing yacht meets New England charm". Her interior work is yet to be confirmed.
Following her relaunch, Awatea will now undergo final preparations before returning to cruising.
According to BOATPro, Balk Shipyard has one superyacht project currently under construction: the 43.2-metre Yemaya, which celebrated her hull launch last year. The builder also hit headlines last year with the news that it had been acquired by a Dutch entrepreneur.
Read More/Balk Shipyard returns to Dutch ownership