The Powerful Legacy of Balk Shipyard: The Ultimate Refit and Rebuild Specialists

From creating wooden vessels in Elburg, to now being considered one of the industry’s most notable refit yards, Balk Shipyard has been carried by eight generations who share a passion for delivering excellence. Today, Evan Kortmann is now at the helm of the company. In 2004, the shipyard outgrew its humble dwelling in Elburg, and relocated to its current premises in Urk. Ensuring that no heritage was lost in the process, Balk Shipyard maintained its old yard as a museum; preserving knowledge and continuing to build cutters to showcase its past techniques.

Over the years, the Dutch yard has completed an array of extraordinary refits and rebuilds, awarded the exclusive quality mark ‘By Appointment to the Court of the Netherlands’ by the Queen of The Netherlands in 2002. Drawing upon two centuries of expertise, Balk Shipyard evolved from a traditional fishing vessel builder to a world-leading superyacht yard, boasting a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to the refit sector of the industry.

Balk Shipyard's impressive legacy can be witnessed in the projects it completes today, carrying the passion and skills that have been developed and nurtured over 225 years to present-day operations. In February 2023, the shipyard completed a 16-month refit on a classic Feadship: 48.60m LEGACY V was transformed into 50.4m EMERALD.

Her Owners wished for their yacht to be brought up to modern standards whilst retaining its character and heritage: something at the heart of Balk Shipyard's DNA as a shipyard that has preserved its own legacy. EMERALD’s stern was restyled, an additional stairway was constructed to improve functionality, and she was re-painted an eye-catching Orion green to encapsulate the impressive nature of this rebuild.

EMERALD’s interior layout was remodelled to allow for more space, whilst a plethora of amenities were implemented to enhance time spent onboard. Sliding doors blend the interiors and exteriors, a rebuilt sundeck with a Jacuzzi elevates outdoor living, and a range of new technological equipment improves both comfort and performance, a highlight being new zero speed stabilisation fins.         

Since her rebuild, she has been managed by TWW Yachts, and has recently rejoined the market as a charter vessel. The expert nature of her rebuild can be seen in her dramatic increase in charter value, as EMERALD went from being €130,000 per week to €210,000 per week.

In July 2024, Balk Shipyard revealed M/Y URSUS’ exteriors for the very first time: a pocket explorer vessel which arrived at the yard in 2022. Originally a 24m yacht, URSUS will leave the shipyard as a 30.36m explorer, as she is being completely reimagined with her stern and bow transformed.

Mulder Design is overseeing her naval architecture and exterior, whilst also penning her interiors in close collaboration with the Owner’s team. The main objective was to enhance URSUS’ seakeeping abilities and onboard living areas, which has been executed in the form of her deck areas being overhauled and remapped and the upper deck extended. Her Owner will be able to enjoy a new al fresco kitchen alongside a renewed beach club, enhancing her outdoor living spaces.

Whilst details on Balk Shipyard's latest project are being kept tightly under wraps, it has been revealed that the shipyard is working on a new build named YEMAYA. Alongside exceptional refits, Balk Shipyard has completed a stunning new build project that captured the industry's attention: 65m S/Y MIKHAIL S. VORONTSOV.

This award-winning three-master staysail was delivered in 2013 and most recently refitted in 2019, featuring exterior and interior design by Ken Freivokh Design. The brief behind this vessel was to ‘create a sailing yacht of the highest quality with full RINA classification’, and this was most certainly achieved in the form of this spacious, classic and elegant schooner that exudes the ultimate sense of luxury and style.

These three exciting projects are stunning examples of the ways in which Balk Shipyard has carried its powerful legacy into the present-day, consistently delivering excellence and preserving its notable place as a true refit and rebuild specialist. Located just an hour from Amsterdam with Lelystad Airport even closer, Balk Shipyard benefits from being highly accessible: a heritage yard situated in the heart of the superyacht industry. Reflecting on Balk Shipyard’s past and present, and glimpsing into its future, we can only expect great things from this brand for years to come, as it continues to bear the reputation of one of the industry’s premier refit and rebuild yards.