Superyacht Bash Back Chartering & Cruising After Lengthy Rebuild

Seventeen months after she headed via tow to a Croatian shipyard, the superyacht Bash is showing off a combination of entirely new interiors and refurbished features dating back to her origins 33 years ago.

The 209-footer (64-meter) is better known by her previous names. She further is renowned for one particular owner and set of guests. Firstly, she launched in 1990 from Codecasa as Jonikal. Her owner was Mohamed Al-Fayed, an Egyptian-born businessman who owned the London-based department store Harrod’s. He also was the father of Dodi Al-Fayed, who famously dated Princess Diana following her divorce. In fact, Jonikal was in headlines and photos worldwide when the couple vacationed aboard during the summer of 1997. Many people can recall an iconic photo of Princess Diana sitting on the extended passarelle, too. Mohammed Al-Fayed put the superyacht up for sale following their deaths, later having her refitted. New owners changed her name to Sokar, which she kept until her current owner acquired her in summertime 2021.

That owner is Bassim Haidar, a Nigerian-Lebanese telecommunications entrepreneur who previously bought a few yachts. Her history, size, and more held strong appeal. Haidar rechristened the superyacht Bash, and his family cruised aboard during the first several months of ownership. Charter guests additionally spent time aboard in the Med. By December 2021, however, the yacht needed work following a fire on her bridge deck. Therefore, she headed under tow from Rijeka, Croatia to Adria Docks in Trogir, Croatia.

An all-Croatian team participated in and directed the refit, in fact. Specifically, the marine-engineering company Capax took care of managing it. Bobic Yacht Interiors, meanwhile, fabricated and installed the new interior on the bridge deck. This followed the shipyard fabricating a new aluminum bulkhead for the wheelhouse plus new portions of other bulkheads and the deck.

Notably, interior portions throughout the rest of the yacht needed removal and re-installing. As often happens during refits, stripping a deck reveals further workings that need replacing. So, for example, new wiring came onboard, leading from the wheelhouse to other areas. This meant removing panelling and floors to access cable trays, then putting them back in place. Plumbing throughout got an upgrade, too, complying with current needs. New air conditioning and new AV and IT systems are now onboard as well.

Further featuring a new hot tub, windows, and more, the superyacht Bash completed the works this month. She now has accommodations for 12, including five double guest staterooms and a massive master (top) with a private lounge (below). Charter guests who like going out on the town should note the yacht also has a hair saloon with a massage area.

Not everything is brand-new, though. The original Wärtsilä Nohab 12V25 engines remain in place. They permit a reported 20-knot top speed and 13-knot cruising speed.

Adria Docks adriadocks.hr

Capax capax.hr

LOA: 208’10” (63.7 meters)

Beam: 34’1” (10.4 meters)

Draft: 12’8” (3.9 meters)

Guests: 12 in 6 staterooms

Engines: 2/3,760-hp Wärtsilä Nohabs

Range: 6,900 nautical miles at 11 knots

Builder: Codecasa

Stylist: Vincenzo Ruggiero

Naval Architect: Vincenzo Ruggiero