Refit Roundup: SYcom's Top 5 Refit Projects of 2021

Here Comes The Sun

Originally delivered by Amels in 2017, Here Comes The Sun returned to the Amels and Damen shipyard in 2020 for a year-long rebuild. The project extended the length of this iconic Dutch superyacht from 83m up to 89m, and there have been plenty of exciting new features fitted onboard.

Enhancing the original Tim Heywood design, Here Comes The Sun was underwent a full respray and colour change to reflect the new Owner’s preferences. The extended Sun Deck aft now features a helicopter landing area, while 2 VIP suites have been added to the Bridge Deck aft. The Main Deck aft has been expanded by 6-metres to provide greater space for guests to enjoy the beach club, spa facilities and large 7-metre swimming pool.

“Welcoming any of the fleet back to the yard is always done with pride, but with Here Comes The Sun it runs even deeper,” said Damen Yachting Sales Manager, Michel Coens, upon the relaunch.

Audace

Cantiere dell Marche superyacht Audace was back on the waters following a refit project at Italian shipyard Lusben, managed by Floating Life’s Refit Department. The project was completed on time and on budget, with her LOA extended from 42m to 46.6m.

The refit at Lusben has seen Audace upgraded to now offer two lifts, heated flooring, and new furniture finishes. Technical and performance modifications were also made, with the yacht’s maximum speed increased to 17 knots while simultaneously reducing her consumption by 20%.

Amara

Classic Feadship superyacht Amara returned home to the shipyard in Makkum for an extensive refit which has overhauled both her performance and luxury offering.

Originally launched in 1986 as Cacique, Amara changed ownership in 2020 – enjoying a full season in Alaska before heading back to the Netherlands where Feadship refit & Services oversaw significant changes to the yacht.

A new helideck was engineered by Francis Grumbs and built by Feadship’s in-house aluminium department, finishes with the Amara logo rather than the standard ‘H’.

The Sun Deck now boasts a new, open-plan layout with new teak laid throughout this area as well as on the foredeck and parts of the bridge deck. Major upgrades were made in the engine room with a revision of all turbos, pumps and heat exchanges.

“I’ve been involved with five new builds in my career and multiple shipyard periods,” said Amara Captain Tim Rowland, “but the project management team on the Amara refit has been second to none.”

Grace

As with Here Comes The Sun, Amels 180 yacht Grace entrusted her refit to her shipyard of origin. Grace was delivered during 2021 following a four-month refit project at the Amels and Damen Yachting shipyard.

The refit of Grace was a testament to the Damen Yachting team’s ability to work with stringent time limits and deliver a high quality finish. Grace was revitalised with a respray of her steel hull and significant modifications to the interior, originally penned by Nuvolari and Lenard.

Oasis

Another standout refit project completed at Lusben shipyard this year was that of 60m Lurssen yacht Oasis. The superyacht arrived at the Livorno-based refit yard in October 2020 and, despite the operational challenges faced during the pandemic that followed, Lusben’s specialised teams were able to adapt to regulations and complete the project even eight days earlier than anticipated.

The refit included renewing the class and a full repaint of the entire yacht, comprising of over 2,300 square metres of total area.

Captain Massimiliano Frazzetta, a repeat client at the Lusben yard, was full of praise for the quality of service received in Livorno. “Lusben’s added values were the strategic geographical position of the cutting-edge facilities, on which the Tuscan company relies, and compliance with the initial budget, from which the final expenditure is unlikely to deviate,” commented Captain Frazzetta at the time.