Megayacht refits and rebuilds up to 197 feet (60 meters) are the core focus for Balk Shipyard. Its staff of about 50, plus subcontractors, are currently refitting four yachts at its Netherlands-based site. The yard is also constructing a new bow section for a major refit taking place elsewhere in the country.
Balk Shipyard has three halls, two dedicated to refits. One of the refits occupies nearly the entire length of the larger of the two halls. She’s a megayacht measuring about 213 feet (65 meters) LOA. The project-management team for the refit has requested the yacht remain anonymous, at least for now. Regardless, the refit is an important milestone for Balk Shipyard, and its home city of Urk. The yacht is the largest to be hauled to date. Her gross tonnage exceeds 1,200, too.
The three other yacht refits are all between 72 and 83 feet (22 and 25.3 meters, respectively). The “smallest” is a beauty from 1930, the motoryacht Amazone. Balk Shipyard is installing a new engine room onboard. Next in size is the canoe-sterned Nuovo Pensiero, another motoryacht, built in Italy in 1974. She’s 82 feet (25 meters) and was initially conceived as a fishing vessel. Nuovo Pensiero is undergoing a top-to-bottom redo.
The largest current refit at the yard is a Royal Huisman sailing yacht. Ebb Tide, built in 1986, measures 83 feet (25.3 meters). A variety of repairs and upgrades are going on. On an interesting side note, Ebb Tide was acquired by another Royal Huisman client, the original owner of Juliet, while the latter was in build. The owner had her refitted at the yard for “practice” in anticipation of taking Juliet offshore upon delivery. Juliet therefore incorporated features added to Ebb Tide.
In another shed at Balk Shipyard, a bow section is in early stages of construction. It will eventually be fitted to the Heesen-built Seven Sins. Seven Sins is being lengthened, plus will comply with LY3 regulations when relaunched.
The refits don’t end here. Though she’s not a yacht, there is a fascinating, all-wood minesweeper being entirely rebuilt. Furthermore, Balk Shipyard will welcome the Alloy-built CaryAli later this year for some yet-undisclosed work. It’s also awaiting the arrival of the Inace-built Sandalphon. The 88’6” (27-meter) megayacht will be completed at Balk.
With the current and upcoming projects, Balk Shipyard’s sheds, plus onsite workshops ranging from metalwork to decking, are quite busy. Daan Balk (pictured), CEO of the yard, is of course pursuing further projects, including new builds. Last year the team delivered the sailing superyacht Mikhail S. Vorontsov. The 174-foot (53-meter) staysail-rigged yacht is constructed of wood. Complementing the yard’s skills with multiple materials, the seventh generation of Balk family members is now at the helm. They’re intent on making Balk Shipyard known well beyond its shores.
Editor’s note: Balk Shipyard is represented in the United States by HMY SuperYachts. For more information directly from the yard about its capabilities, fill out our contact form.
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