The 53.9-metre Baltic 175 (ex. Pink Gin) has checked in at Baltic Yachts for a 10-month refit period, with a relaunch scheduled for May 2024. This follows her sale to a new owner by Edmiston and Fraser earlier this year.
The Baltic 175 was delivered in 2017 as the world's largest carbon fibre sloop-rigged sailing yacht. Her regular maintenance and refit schedule has kept her in class, so the current work is largely aesthetic and performance enhancing – including a modernised sail plan and restyled owner's cabin.
Designed by Judel/Vrolijk & Co and Design Unlimited, the 325GT yacht is a regular on the regatta circuit thanks to her lightweight carbon construction and is often seen flying a pink spinnaker on the water. Design Unlimited is also responsible for the yacht's new interiors, which incorporates softer, neutral tones and light oak veneers on surfaces including headboards and tabletops.
Accommodation will remain largely the same, with the exception of the owner's cabin, which will be installed with hand-carved timber furniture. There will also be a new breakfast bar in the main saloon, in the area originally occupied by the baby grand piano.
Finnish designer Jarkko Jämsén has worked on re-styling the main cockpit’s fixed Bimini. Alterations are also being made to the helm stations, including modernising the ergonomics and style of the control console and adding an additional helmsman’s Bimini set on a carbon fibre tubular framework.
In terms of performance, Pink Gin's bowsprit will be extended by 1.5 metres and her single, fixed backstay replaced by running backstays. This will allow for a modern, triple-headed sail plan for power reaching, comprising a Code sail, jib and soft-luffed furling staysail which can be lowered when not in use. To complement this upgrade, all the yacht's deck winches will also be replaced, with smaller, lighter and faster drums supplied by Harken – reducing the total winch weight from 600kg to around 150kg.
Baltic 175 was one of the shipyard's most technically advanced yachts at the time of her delivery, with features including fold-down balconies attached to the owner's suite and a collection of Cuban artwork on board.
The news of the refit comes after Baltic sent its Baltic 111 Raven out onto the water for preliminary sea trials, without her foils.