Leave it to a racing-cruising superyacht and a yard experienced in high-speed water taxis to complete a punchlist like clockwork. The Mari-Cha III refit at Derektor Shipyards took five months, as planned.
The fast sloop recently departed the shipyard’s Connecticut facility. Mari-Cha III had been in Europe late last year and was weighing refit options on both sides of the Atlantic. The owner selected Derecktor for a few reasons. Firstly, the favorable exchange rate of the dollar versus the euro was a factor. Additionally, Derecktor has diverse experience. While all three of its locations handle a variety of vessels, the Connecticut yard regularly builds and refits ferries, tugs, fast fireboats, and more, in addition to yachts. It further can accommodate projects up to 400 feet LOA and 600 metric tons.
The Mari-Cha III refit wrapped up just after the 147-footer (44.7-meter) concluded sea trials on Long Island Sound in mid-April (above). Mari-Cha III arrived at Derecktor in December with the intention of replacing components like tanks, the ventilation system, electronics, and hydraulics, plus getting a repaint. The super maxi also received new piping, gensets, and headstays. She upgraded her headstays to ones from Future Fibres PBO with carbon furling foils by Solution. Even her crew took part in the refit, by replacing the rigging.
Another big part of the Mari-Cha III refit entailed redesigning the interior decor. When Sensation Yachts completed her in 1997, she featured a dark-wood, Edwardian theme from John Munford. Clear Group International, a Connecticut-based studio, stripped the mahogany’s dark stain and refinished it in bright white. Although the owner liked the original traditional decor, he wanted a more minimalist-oriented appearance. The photos above and below, of the master suite’s before and after looks, respectively, give you a good idea of just how dramatic the transformation was. Clear Group International additionally placed a marble cover over the master bath’s vanity.
One thing that didn’t change: the ability to dismantle the interior come race time. This makes room for 25 crewmembers and saves weight to gain speed. While the master stateroom and crew staterooms are excluded from this, suffice it to say that when Mari-Cha III is converted, the difference is amazing. Imagine a yacht saloon complete with the usual seating areas and tables, plus bookmatched woodwork. Then imagine it shortly thereafter, barely recognizable as being part of the same yacht: without wood or furnishings, solely with space for racing crew to stow their gear.(Mari-Cha III has good, albeit tiny, before-and-after photos on her website, under the Conception tab.)
Mari-Cha III headed back to Europe for the summer season promptly after departing Derecktor. Chances are her crew took their time heading there. If they wanted to, though, they probably could have tried for another transatlantic record. In 1998, she shattered one of sailing’s most prized records. She went from New York to Lizard Point in southern England in eight days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 41 seconds. She remains the fastest yacht in the Sydney to Hobart race since December 1999, when she covered the course in one day, 18 hours, and 27 minutes.
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