REBUILD SOLUTIONS
Restoration of classics and rebuilds of historical yachts. Huisfit has an established track record of success with such projects. Structural work, repairs and conservation of the yacht’s full scope: hull conservation, sail handling, exterior, interior and board systems.
Although rebuild projects by Huisfit are never a “typical refit”, the scope of such projects is widely regarded as a newbuild, both by those involved at the shipyard and by outside observers. Thanks to the owners of historical rebuild projects, these yachts will not become forgotten history: each one will remain a living sailing legend. Read more in the captions after clicking on the photos below.
The team of Royal Huisman and Huisfit is honoured to merit the continued trust of Dr. Jim Clark, who commissioned the shipyard to carry out the very special restoration of his most recent acquisition, the 1930’s yacht Atlantide.
This 37m / 122ft classic motorsailer was shipped from Newport, USA, to the Netherlands, and arrived at Royal Huisman’s headquarters in Vollenhove in the first week of 2021.
The restoration of the 37m / 122ft classic motorsailer Atlantide is in full progress since her arrival in Vollenhove early 2021. The scope of the project has turned into a full rebuild and, in Royal Huisman’s work schedule, has been allocated the same status as a newbuild project.
Huisfit rebuild in progress: 37m / 122ft motorsailer Atlantide (Philip & Sons, 1930). The scope of the project has turned into a full rebuild and, in Royal Huisman’s portfolio, has earned it the same status as a newbuild project.
Huisfit rebuild in progress: 37m / 122ft motorsailer Atlantide (Philip & Sons, 1930). The scope of the project has turned into a full rebuild and, in Royal Huisman’s portfolio, has earned it the same status as a newbuild project.
Huisfit rebuild in progress: 37m / 122ft motorsailer Atlantide (Philip & Sons, 1930). The scope of the project has turned into a full rebuild and, in Royal Huisman’s portfolio, has earned it the same status as a newbuild project.
Huisfit rebuild in progress: 37m / 122ft motorsailer Atlantide (Philip & Sons, 1930). The scope of the project has turned into a full rebuild and, in Royal Huisman’s portfolio, has earned it the same status as a newbuild project.
Huisfit rebuild in progress: 37m / 122ft motorsailer Atlantide (Philip & Sons, 1930). The scope of the project has turned into a full rebuild and, in Royal Huisman’s portfolio, has earned it the same status as a newbuild project.
Huisfit rebuild in progress: 37m / 122ft motorsailer Atlantide (Philip & Sons, 1930). The scope of the project has turned into a full rebuild and, in Royal Huisman’s portfolio, has earned it the same status as a newbuild project.
Huisfit rebuild in progress: 37m / 122ft motorsailer Atlantide (Philip & Sons, 1930). The scope of the project has turned into a full rebuild and, in Royal Huisman’s portfolio, has earned it the same status as a newbuild project.
Huisfit rebuild in progress: 37m / 122ft motorsailer Atlantide (Philip & Sons, 1930). The scope of the project has turned into a full rebuild and, in Royal Huisman’s portfolio, has earned it the same status as a newbuild project.
Huisfit rebuild in progress: 37m / 122ft motorsailer Atlantide (Philip & Sons, 1930). The scope of the project has turned into a full rebuild and, in Royal Huisman’s portfolio, has earned it the same status as a newbuild project.
Undisclosed yacht in her early days. Thanks to her current Owner, this yacht will not become forgotten history: she is a Living Sailing Legend.
Undisclosed Huisfit rebuild project at arrival at Royal Huisman
Fully stripped upon arrival before her steel hull was sandblasted.
All of her numerous individual rivets were fixed by welding to avoid potential future deformation and leakage and a significant quantity of her steel plating was also replaced – important precautions to preserve this historical yacht well into the future.
Fully stripped upon arrival before her steel hull was sandblasted. All of her numerous individual rivets were fixed by welding to avoid potential future deformation and leakage and a significant quantity of her steel plating was also replaced – important precautions to preserve this historical yacht well into the future.
Fully stripped upon arrival before her steel hull was sandblasted. All of her numerous individual rivets were fixed by welding to avoid potential future deformation and leakage and a significant quantity of her steel plating was also replaced – important precautions to preserve this historical yacht well into the future.
Starting with what was effectively an empty hull, for Royal Huisman, the outfitting was very similar to a new build process.
The Royal Huisman board systems and main piping were pre-engineered and optimized in 3D to prevent routing clashes during installation, whilst smaller piping and technical equipment such as the HVAC were shoehorned into any available void spaces, predominantly in the (mostly existing) interior.
New luxurious and high wear-resistant accommodation for six crew was also constructed by the shipyard. The Owner’s firm belief that ‘A well looked after crew is a happy crew’ (thereby ensuring a happy and comfortable Owner) was kept in mind throughout.
The classic luxury interior, once removed, was reassembled at Royal Huisman’s in-house furniture workshop and repaired or restored – piece by piece. If parts could not be repaired they were replaced with furniture in matching color shades, recreating its patina with marks and dents found on the original panels.
Result after rebuild by Huisfit can be found on following photo
New equipment was selected to create a 21st century engine room. The Royal Huisman board systems and main piping were pre-engineered and optimized in 3D to prevent routing clashes during installation, whilst smaller piping and technical equipment such as the HVAC were shoehorned into any available void spaces.
Undisclosed rebuild project before Huisfit. Result after rebuild by Huisfit can be found on following photos
All existing exterior woodwork (deckhouses, superstructures and skylights) was removed, restored and updated. The main cockpit and winch base plates - inspired by the yacht's sister ship - were added to the deck layout consistent with the overall looks.
All existing exterior woodwork (deckhouses, superstructures and skylights) was removed, restored and updated. The main cockpit and winch base plates - inspired by the yacht's sister ship - were added to the deck layout consistent with the overall looks.
Although Huisfit-projects are never a “typical refit”, the vast scope of this historical rebuild project is widely regarded as a new build, both by those involved at the shipyard and by outside observers.
Thanks to her Owner, this yacht will not become forgotten history: she is a Living Sailing Legend. From the report by the World Superyacht Awards jury: "One stood out, not only for the painstaking manner in which the rebuild was undertaken, but also for the magnificent result.
A highly nostalgic project for Huisfit. The performance ketch FLYER, designed by Sparkman & Stephens, was launched by the shipyard in 1976 for the late Conny van Rietschoten.
FLYER (Royal Huisman, 1976), winner of the 1977 - 1978 Whitbread Round the World Race: profile before and after rebuild by Huisfit. During the rebuild by Huisfit FLYER was given back her ketch rig by re-stepping the mizzen mast.
FLYER (Royal Huisman, 1976), winner of the 1977 - 1978 Whitbread Round the World Race, after rebuild by Huisfit. During the rebuild by Huisfit FLYER was given back her ketch rig by re-stepping the mizzen mast.
The J-class Endeavour was completely rebuilt by Royal Huisman (nowadays the shipyard's Huisfit division). The yacht, originally built by Camper & Nicholsons in 1934, was saved from a muddy grave by her Owner; restructured in England then brought to Royal Huisman to restore her to her finest condition.
The J-class Endeavour was completely rebuilt by Royal Huisman (nowadays the shipyard's Huisfit division). The yacht, originally built by Camper & Nicholsons in 1934, was saved from a muddy grave by her Owner; restructured in England then brought to Royal Huisman to restore her to her finest condition.
Her Owner, Dykstra Naval Architects and the shipyard aimed to reconstruct Endeavour’s original style and grace as carefully and respectfully as possible, inside and out, yet re-engineer and re-rig her with the latest materials and machinery for sensible, convenient and safe operation. Below deck, John Munford created a truly fine interior of cherry cabinetry.
The J-class Endeavour was completely rebuilt by Royal Huisman (nowadays the shipyard's Huisfit division). The yacht, originally built by Camper & Nicholsons in 1934, was saved from a muddy grave; restructured in England then brought to Royal Huisman to restore her to her finest condition.