Until the early 2000s refits were a secondary offering at Vlissingen-based Damen Yachting. While the company always reserved space in the shipyard for returning yachts, it wasn’t until the building boom of the mid-2000s that it truly began to invest in the refit side of the business.
That investment has led to a sustained upturn in yacht refit activity, which now accounts for around 20% of the company’s total business. Michel Coens, head of refits and services, says: “As a result of the investments we have made, we now offer the highest level of refit facilities available anywhere, specialising in radical refits and conversions that few other shipyards have the expertise to offer, alongside the full spectrum of standard superyacht maintenance and refit work.”
One of its biggest recent projects was a major refit of the 89m Amels yachting Here Comes the Sun. Redelivered in early 2023, this refit was completed in just 14 months and involved a 6m extension and major upgrades to its interior and exterior configuration. The lengthy work scope included a large swimming pool, a redesigned beach club, two additional VIP suites and a sundeck extension for a second helipad.
“All of this was achieved in record time thanks to the expert care and attention of the refit team and the flexibility of the original Amels design and build platform,” comments Coens. “This yacht is one of the many projects that really demonstrates just how strong our refit facilities are. On the back of the success of Here Comes the Sun the refit team has received a variety of new requests varying from small-scale modifications to complete overhauls and extensions.”
The company says it is currently seeing sustained growth in the refit and service segment, with more of its own built fleet investigating options to return to Damen Yachting. There is also an increased interest in refits for yachts from other shipyards. Coens says: “We continue to reserve capacity for at least two significant rebuilds a year alongside many other refit projects. Refit is, and will always be, a big part of our long-term plans and while newbuild is our core business, refit will always be a service we offer our existing and new clients.”
