Refitting Utopia.
Makkum, Royal De Vries Makkum
(Feadship)
has completed the refit of the72-m yacht Utopia,
Originally launched in 2004 and the second largest Feadship yet
built (after 86-m EcstaSea), the yacht's new owners had previously
spend several months chartering Utopia.
They decided to personalize Utopia to their onboard living style.
The project took 80 working days to complete and has further enhanced
the yacht's outdoor relaxation options.
This is one of four major refit projects carried out on a Feadship
at the Koninklijke De Vries yard in Makkum since it opened in late
2005. Other successes include Siran (extension, structural and
interior work), a completely new interior on Inevitable (ex. Mi
Gaea) and a major overhaul of the engine room on a 50-meter Feadship.
Various other projects are currently under negotiation.
“The in-house knowledge of our yachts makes Koninklijke De Vries
Makkum the best possible place for a refit,” says Ico Vergouwe,
manager refit department. “We have access to all the original
design and build information via the yard and De Voogt Naval
Architects,
and are used to working in close cooperation with owner teams.
The sheer size of the facilities in Makkum makes it possible
to have multiple projects underway at the same time, and
the accommodation
options for crew and/or owner’s representatives are excellent.”
Utopia’s owners used their chartering experience on the yacht
to great effect to increase the lounging facilities on the
outside decks. On the sun deck forward, a large cut out was
made in the
canopy to create a huge sunbed with giant fluffy sofas in
a champagne color.
The windscreen was adapted to suit the new
shape of the
sunbathing area, new speakers were installed, and the lockers
were
adapted to create extra storage space. Meanwhile, a wide
staircase
was built aft of the sun deck to facilitate access from
the Jacuzzi to the helicopter deck below. This magnificent piece
is made
of stainless steel and teak railings, with LED strip lighting.
The entire helicopter deck was laid in teak in order to
increase the relaxation space. A variety of furniture
and storage
was installed, including a free standing buffet on the
starboard side to compensate
visually for the crane installed on the port side.
Large
side
cabinets with teak working tops and granite inlays
enhance the entertainment
options, and include a barbecue. Further forward, the
seating area has been adapted with deeper and thicker cushions,
with two-tread
staircases added on both sides. Four large side-supported
parasols provide the necessary shade or party atmosphere.
The owners’ foredeck, just forward of their stateroom,
already had its own Jacuzzi. Now the seating in this
area has been
replaced with three large sofas and sunpads, making
it an even more idyllic
spot for private relaxation. Deck space was increased
by removing one of two large circular foredeck hatches.
Finally, various minor alterations were made to the
interior and, as Vergouwe stresses, the overall project
demonstrates
the added
value Koninklijke De Vries Makkum offers. “Until
we opened this facility, we often had to say no to loyal
customers
who wanted
their Feadship refitted at its place of birth.
The
constant stream of new builds at the Koninkijke
De Vries yard
in Aalsmeer meant
there was rarely space available to perform a refit
in The Netherlands. Now we can provide the perfect
blend
of Feadship
expertise in
Makkum, more and more Feadships can be altered
to match the changing requirements
of owners and technological advances
|
