Blue Bird of 1938 Yacht News & Events

Blue Bird of 1938 cruising

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Blue Bird main aft deck

Blue Bird main saloon

Blue Bird cruising

Blue Bird of 1938

The 39.62-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/270" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vosper Thornycroft (Company)">Vosper Thornycroft</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5467" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amazone39.62m (129'12&quot;)Vosper Thornycroft1936">Amazone</a> has been transported from Le Havre, France to Falmouth, United Kingdom as part of the first stage in her extensive restoration and rescue mission.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/24065/image/large-3c28cff562a14d3b8bb38e311e305f54.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/24065">Built in 1936, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5467" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amazone39.62m (129'12&quot;)Vosper Thornycroft1936">Amazone</a> was used as a houseboat for over 20 years on the river Seine in northern France. An ambitious two week program saw her acquired, prepared for towage and loaded onto the 214.17-metre DYT semi-submersible Yacht Servant and delivered to Falmouth.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5467" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amazone39.62m (129'12&quot;)Vosper Thornycroft1936">Amazone</a> was unloaded and transferred to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis Shipyard</a>, where she will be refitted and restored. Her rescue mission was organised by Nicholas Edmiston and William Collier of classic yacht experts <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="G.L. Watson & Co. Ltd (Company)">G.L. Watson &amp; Co,</a> with collaboration from Mike Herrebrugh of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/311" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sevenstar Yacht Transport B.V. (Company)">Sevenstar Yacht Transport</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/302292/image/large-e5d6e4cf6381ea5ec598eaa49ba967ac.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/302292">“The arrangements for the tow in France were extensive and very complicated,” explained Mike Herrebrugh of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/311" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sevenstar Yacht Transport B.V. (Company)">Sevenstar Yacht Transport</a>. “But it is amazing to be trusted by Nicholas Edmiston and William Collier to handle their project, which is clearly a labour of love, to preserve an historic piece of yachting.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5467" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amazone39.62m (129'12&quot;)Vosper Thornycroft1936">Amazone</a> was transported on the Seine alongside four specialised vessels and the heavy lift cross channel transport. Nicholas Edmiston and William Collier have previously worked together on the restoration of other vessels including <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2248" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Bird of 193831.59m (103'8&quot;)Goole Shipyard1938">Blue Bird</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2841" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nahlin91.44m (300'0&quot;)John Brown & Sons1930">Nahlin</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2291" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Malahne50.29m (164'12&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1937">Malahne</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4894" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cacouna36.2m (118'9&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1932">Cacouna</a> and had been watching <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5467" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amazone39.62m (129'12&quot;)Vosper Thornycroft1936">Amazone</a> for several years.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/302290/image/large-e1b9966d9e6f3149ea61da69b05c831e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/302290">“These are complex projects where you need the support of strong partners who understand your requirements and who remain focused on it throughout,” added William Collier of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="G.L. Watson & Co. Ltd (Company)">G. L. Watson</a>. “Mike Herrebrugh is that partner and this concludes our third successful project with Sevenstar in the last 12 months.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/302291/image/large-601419a685a97f137b1fadef58311771.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/302291">

40m Vosper Thornycroft yacht Amazone prepares for refit at Pendennis Shipyard

The 40m Vosper Thornycroft yacht Amazone has been transported from France to Falmouth as part of the first stage in her extensive restoration.

40m Vosper Thornycroft yacht Amazone transported to Pendennis Shipyard for refit

It is no secret that Nick Edmiston is a fan of classic yachts. He has played a central role in the sale and refit of several notable vintage motor yachts over the past 20 years, including&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2248" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Bird31.59m (103'8&quot;)">Blue Bird</a>&nbsp;(1938), <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2841" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nahlin91.44m (300'0&quot;)">Nahlin</a>&nbsp;(1930),<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2291" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Malahne50.29m (164'12&quot;)">&nbsp;Malahne</a> (1937), and now 71-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/290" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Haida 192971.1m (233'3&quot;)">Haida 1929</a>. Built by Krupp Germaniawerft for the millionaire yeast magnate Max Fleischmann, the yacht has sailed under a number of high-profile owners since her launch nearly 90 years ago. Earlier this year, she was delivered to her latest owner following an extensive 18-month restoration at the Pendennis shipyard in Falmouth, UK. SuperYacht Times talked with Nick Edmiston and broker Alex Busher, who acted as liaison between Edmiston and the new owner, about the challenges associated with restoring and managing classic yachts. We began by asking how <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/290" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Haida 192971.1m (233'3&quot;)">Haida</a> came to change hands in 2016.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/41790/image/large-3fd05144629a31880d61507719312e72.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/41790">Nick: I’d known the yacht for years, ever since she was called <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/290" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Haida 192971.1m (233'3&quot;)">Sarina</a> and owned by Loel Guinness, who spared no expense to make sure she remained in excellent shape. The last owner had been hanging onto her with the thought of taking a long cruise, but that never happened. After several years when she was effectively mothballed, he decided to sell her and we brokered the deal with the new owner. Like all restorations, the worklist grew as the project progressed, but he was determined to bring her back into top condition with a view to chartering and taking her around the world.&nbsp;Alex: The restoration was really needed. She’d undergone a previous refit in Turkey in 2000, which hadn’t addressed some of the major issues. After a survey of the hull, we very quickly realised the underwater profile would have to be stripped down to the frames for the first time in almost 90 years. The fact she was still intact is a testament to Germany’s shipbuilding prowess, but we ended up replacing the tanks and 60 percent of the hull, using over 100 tons of marine-grade steel in the process. At one point there were 70 welders working on her: when the old funnel was removed and engine room gutted, you could look down through the decks and see the bottom of the dry dock.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/41793/image/large-8c32b0bf15e6a5c652a2cda1ff3183d5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/41793">Why the decision to go to Pendennis for the refit?Alex: Several reasons. Besides having a slot available, Pendennis has experience of refitting other classic motor yachts, including<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2291" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Malahne50.29m (164'12&quot;)">&nbsp;Malahne</a> and<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/254" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fair Lady42.0m (137'10&quot;)">&nbsp;Fair Lady</a>. They had also completed a short refit of the yacht in 2011 when she was called <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/290" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Haida 192971.1m (233'3&quot;)">Dona Amélia</a>, so had a lot of prior knowledge. Brexit had just kicked off and sterling had taken a hit, so the exchange rate was a consideration. Another factor was that the yard is very discreet and a bit off-radar down in Falmouth, which suited the owner who wished to maintain his privacy.&nbsp;Considering the high cost of restoration and maintenance, what kind of owner decides to invest in a classic yacht?Nick: &nbsp;Someone who knows how to appreciate tradition and elegance; someone who leads a very stylish lifestyle and has a passion for maintaining an asset of historical significance. That’s not everyone by any means. And once they’ve spent the money, they’re not going to recover it immediately, if at all. In the long-term, the paint job might be a bit cheaper as you don’t have a high-gloss metallic finish, but they require constant attention and tend to have big crews, so that’s an added cost. There’s definitely more work involved and you have to have a loyal crew prepared to roll up their sleeves and get the job done. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/41792/image/large-8bca09e70d639b0d3767e1d759409cde.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/41792">Alex: With classic yachts, it’s all about their history: the stories behind the owners and the places they’ve been to. We tend to think of explorers as a new trend, but <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/290" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Haida 192971.1m (233'3&quot;)">Haida</a> was originally built for Fleischmann with an 8,000-mile range for exploring the Pacific and was named after the native Haida people of Alaska and British Columbia. The current owner had been following her for the last 15 years or so, and it was either this yacht or none at all. He wanted character and soul, not a replica or a new build. It’s a bit like living in a stately home rather than a brand new hotel, which is why he wanted to keep the original Krupp engines, the beating heart of the vessel and the oldest working diesels on any yacht today. They have no gearbox, so to reverse they have to be stopped and restarted using the old telegraphs still linking the bridge to the engine room. Stripping and rebuilding them with custom-made parts was a huge job in itself.&nbsp;How did you decide on Adam Lay for the new interior design?Alex: The owner had very clear ideas of what he wanted and had spent a lot of time researching online and in magazines. He put together four large mood books of his own and toured antique fairs all over Europe for period accessories, which is still ongoing. But we needed someone to fine-tune his ideas and bring it all together to produce a traditional décor with a nod to contemporary lifestyles. Adam had been involved in the refit of the J-Class&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/621" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Endeavour39.56m (129'9&quot;)">Endeavour</a>&nbsp;and is a very good listener. The owner liked his low-key style and attention to detail, but what swung it was when Adam started sketching in front of him. He was very impressed with his draughtsmanship skills.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/41791/image/large-35a900be03ce0739b16f2783f969fabb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/41791">What concessions were made to modernity during the refit?Alex: Although the owner wanted a sympathetic restoration, he was aware of modern charter requirements. So a hot tub was added on the top deck and a hammam spa on the lower deck, the galley was upgraded, new AC installed, along with new custom tenders [restored to their original position amidships] and new cranes for launching them. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/290" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Haida 192971.1m (233'3&quot;)">Haida 1929&nbsp;</a>is the only classic motor yacht of her size available for charter with accommodation for 12 guests and a private owner’s deck. The other classics like<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2841" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nahlin91.44m (300'0&quot;)">&nbsp;Nahlin,</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/97" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Talitha82.6m (270'12&quot;)">Talitha G</a>&nbsp;and<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3572" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shemara64.68m (212'2&quot;)">&nbsp;Shemara</a> are all private.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2291" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Malahne50.29m (164'12&quot;)">&nbsp;Malahne&nbsp;</a>is available for charter, but she’s a lot smaller.&nbsp;What other classic yachts are out there waiting to be saved?Nick:&nbsp;There are a couple left worth getting hold of, but I’m not going to tell you which they are in case someone else gets to them first! There was a sister ship to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3572" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shemara64.68m (212'2&quot;)">Shemara</a> that went to Japan, and another lovely old motor yacht that once belonged to the Courtauld textile family that went to Sierra Leone as a presidential yacht. Sadly the former was broken up and the latter sank before my people could get to them. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2841" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nahlin91.44m (300'0&quot;)">Nahlin</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2291" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Malahne50.29m (164'12&quot;)">Malahne</a> probably wouldn’t be around today if I hadn’t stepped in. The challenge is finding the right owner in time and then a yard with the wherewithal to restore them, which is not cheap by any means. Ultimately, you have to have a passion for it.

Haida 1929: talking classic yachts with Edmiston

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/165062/image/large-9ad53a7599c15bd4d9532b7eeb7d2b40.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/165062">

Blue Bird motor yacht in St Tropez

The classic motor yacht Blue Bird was originally built by Goole Shipyard in 1938 for Sir Malcolm Campbell. Designed by Scottish naval architects G.L. Watson she was to be an ocean going yacht as Sir Malcolm was planning to go treasure hunting in the Cocos Islands in the Pacific. She never made it to the Pacific as she was requisitioned in 1940 and went to Dunkirk to assist in the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force. Her current owner completely restored the superyacht in 2007 at Astilleros de Mallorca. Her original designer, G.L. Watson assisted with the rebuild and Bannenberg &amp; Rowell Design created a stylish and elegant new interior.

Photo by Stephen Stead

The classic 1938 motor yacht Blue Bird in St Tropez

The 50 metre classic motor yacht Malahne was launched recently after an extensive 30 month refit at the Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth, UK. Originally launched in 1937, the almost 80 year old vessel was designed by Charles E. Nicholson and built by Camper &amp; Nicholsons. Amongst her extensive modifications were a drastic restoration of her interior and exterior to a sophisticated and contemporary standard, whilst also being modernised to be fully classed by Lloyd’s Register and compliant with the MCA Large Yacht Code (LY3).<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/152909/image/large-41608b9d4bf2405a47b56013897f23cc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/152909">The impressive project was brought to life by Nicholas Edmiston, Chairman of Edmiston &amp; Company who has also played a vital part in the restoration of Nahlin and Bluebird. After introducing the project to her owner, she was taken to the Pendennis facilities where classic yacht experts G.L. Watson &amp; Co. provided the exterior and interior design for the crew accommodation. William Collier, Managing Director at G.L. Watson &amp; Co, comments, “The Malahne project is the most ambitious motor yacht restoration yet undertaken. The challenge of recreating many of the yacht’s features while achieving a faithful restoration of the hull shape has been very rewarding. Together we have brought an historically important yacht back to life. Malahne appears as she did in the 1930s, while having all of today’s conveniences.”On-site project management was provided by G. L. Watson and Edmiston Yacht Management (EYM), who pooled their complementary design and technical expertise to work closely with Pendennis.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/152910/image/large-ba878a638a444a6c6d26955a72238d8b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/152910">Inside, she features Art Deco influenced interior design created by Oliver Laws. Guy Oliver of Oliver Laws explains his brief from the owner, saying; “The Owner’s brief to “make Malahne look as if she had been in continuous ownership since she was built” was wonderful and daunting. The new Malahne had to function with contemporary requirements for air conditioning and technology, all of which had to be contained in an original envelope. I spent a long time establishing a language and grammar for the interior, with bespoke detailing, woods and materials appropriate to the period, (which were all hand worked and finished), as well as designing and sourcing original furniture in a lightly eclectic way to give an air of authenticity and continuity. The result is a vessel of charm and elegance that makes a distinctive statement for which I am sure she will become renowned.”Mike Carr, Managing Director of Pendennis, is extremely proud of the standard of workmanship on-board: “Over the past two and half years the team here has worked incredibly hard to bring Malahne back to life. Seeing the final transformation from her 1980s form back to her original design, her launch marks a proud moment for everyone involved. Our tradespeople from all areas have applied quality, care, pride and passion to every aspect of the project. There have been unprecedented opportunities to showcase their restoration skills, whilst sympathetically integrating modern systems. Malahne now commands a special place in the Pendennis fleet.”On completion of trials, Malahne will return to the Mediterranean. Yacht operations will be managed by Edmiston Yacht Management, and Malahne will be available for charter through Edmiston.By Gemma Fottles

Classic 50m superyacht Malahne launches after 30 month restoration

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/141499/image/large-0ae27cfcd8f7d5fd13f86d118f546b5d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/141499">The classic 1938 yacht Blue Bird The classic motor yacht <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2248">Blue Bird</a> was originally built by Goole Shipyard in 1938 for Sir Malcolm Campbell. Designed by Scottish naval architects G.L. Watson she was to be an ocean going yacht as Sir Malcolm was planning to go treasure hunting in the Cocos Islands in the Pacific. She never made it to the Pacific as she was requisitioned in 1940 and went to Dunkirk to assist in the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force. Her current owner completely restored the superyacht in 2007 at Astilleros de Mallorca. Her original designer, G.L. Watson assisted with the rebuild and Bannenberg &amp; Rowell Design created a stylish and elegant new interior. By Merijn de Waard, photo by Frank Behrends

The classic motor yacht Blue Bird of 1938 

Sophia Rork of the Edmiston charter team informs SuperYachtTimes.com that the classic motor yacht Blue Bird of 1938 has just joined their expanding charter fleet. Blue Bird was originally built by Goole Shipyard in 1938 for Sir Malcolm Campbell. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/131002/image/large-d374459f1708a03dccee4afe36838d6f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125705">Designed by Scottish naval architects G.L. Watson she was to be an ocean going yacht as Sir Malcolm was planning to go treasure hunting in the Cocos Islands in the Pacific. She never made it to the Pacific as she was requisitioned in 1940 and went to Dunkirk to assist in the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/131003/image/large-36bec2ed8f8e6fa7051f449df370b3c8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125716">Her current owner completely restored the superyacht in 2007 at Astilleros de Mallorca. Her original designer, G.L. Watson assisted with the rebuild and Bannenberg &amp; Rowell Design created a stylish and elegant new interior. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/131004/image/large-e6d66571aac5937aaa282719d540e1e9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125718"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/131005/image/large-aa1c775c09965d78b589412fda18dd54.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125719"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/131006/image/large-3f6b9726c5b100208479a865592e7efd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125720"><a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2248">Blue Bird of 1938</a> will be based in Saint Tropez and is available for charters between Mid July and Mid August at a rate of € 70,000 per week. Edmiston &amp; Company Sophia Rork +377 93 30 54 44 <a href="mailto:cayachts@edmistoncompany.com?subject=Blue%20Bird%20of%201938%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">cayachts@edmistoncompany.com</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.edmistoncompany.com">www.edmistoncompany.com</a> By Merijn de Waard, photos by David Churchill / Bannenberg &amp; Rowell

Blue Bird of 1938 joins charter fleet of Edmiston

The Netherlands are well known for building high quality superyachts, but since last year we also have a specialized superyacht refit shipyard, Balk Shipyard in Urk. Although already established back in 1786 (!), it wasn’t until they moved from Elburg to Urk before they were noticed within the superyacht industry. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/126080/image/large-7f4b129db10dad8716da72257b6b4879.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/126080"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/126081/image/large-e8cb97f2c02351de8f166412de07e9ff.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/126081">This can of course be explained by the fact that Elburg is not easily accessible for superyachts, but as Daan Balk explains they have worked on some large yachts there in the past as well. “In Elburg we did a lot of work for the Dutch government, but we also had many yachts there like the 29m Viking Legacy, the recently restored Blue Bird and the Van Dam Nordia Cornelia to name a few”. It was Daan Balk who assisted the Dutch owner of <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2248">Blue Bird</a> when selling the yacht to her present owners. They opted to do the refit of Blue Bird at Balk Shipyard, however this was premature, as they had just unveiled their plans to move Elburg to Urk and couldn’t cope with such a restoration at this stage. However things changed rapidly. Although the shipyard was officially opened in September 2007, they had already completed two successful superyacht projects in Urk. The first project being <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1356">Berzinc</a>. Berzinc was purchased by her owner as a wreck in 2004 and soon after, she was towed to The Netherlands were she was completely stripped and work started from scratch. Her length was increased by a few meters and after all the exterior and engineering work was done at Balk, the yacht left to Turkey for completion of the interior. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/126082/image/large-347c64f5e70a7d61449963ca62a64b6a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/126082"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/126083/image/large-72928a61ae8095669640cc41fb0c2a01.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/126083">Their second large project was the refit of the 46m <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/138">Putty VI</a>. Initiated by Vripack Brokers, Balk Shipyard was responsible for the refit and re-launched her in July 2007. Work included the complete rebuild of the sun deck and the owner’s quarters, as well as the installation of a new air-conditioning system. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/126084/image/large-e1fc5c7713ba034ef18427bd63b6002d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/126084">Currently occupying the large refit shed is the 50m Amels <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/546">Tzarina</a>. To date she is the largest project for Balk. “Work on Tzarina started in June 2006 and since the start, work has already tripled than originally planned” says Daan Balk. “Her new spectacular interior is designed by Ken Freivokh and will make an impact when finished”. Other notable yachts which visited Balk over the years are <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1512">Grace</a> (a complete new clipper stern was built), <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/701">Anakena</a>, <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/137">Dardanella</a>, Viking Legacy, <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1521">African Queen</a>, <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1813">Thalia</a> and many others. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/126085/image/large-3cdcf5e88768148d1d69c348f6a276ca.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/126085">The first projects for this winter are already in place. First to arrive is <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1431">Cornelia</a>, who will be back for some maintenance work and the “small” Feadship Lucia will arrive for a major refit. Besides doing refit work on superyachts, Balk also works on new yacht construction projects for other leading shipyards. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/126086/image/large-587311ce44b24edbe3d1dc6992f79a9e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/126086">Balk Shipyard can handle superyachts up to approx 60 meters. Contact Daan Balk for more information: Daan Balk / <a href="mailto:d.balk@balkshipyard.com?subject=Balk%20Shipyard%20-%20Article%20SuperYachtTimes.com">d.balk@balkshipyard.com</a> / +31 (0)527 681741 / <a target="_blank" href="http://www.balkshipyard.com">www.balkshipyard.com</a>

Balk Shipyard – The superyacht refit specialist from Holland

In the spring of 2007 Astilleros de Mallorca completed the restoration of M/Y Blue Bird, a classic gentleman’s yacht built in 1938 for Sir Malcolm Campbell. The story of the restoration of Blue Bird started a few years earlier, in the spring of 2004 to be precise. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125705/image/large-1cc7a45fde8e3bb4efd1b8885801c436.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125705">A British gentleman had been looking at numerous classic yachts together with his broker, Nick Edmiston, but none of these yachts matched what he was looking for. It was William Collier, who had just taken over the legendary G.L. Watson design studio, who told them about M/Y Blue Bird. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125706/image/large-a79b81b91bcf77172f00029568686c20.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125706">Blue Bird was lying in Elburg at Scheepswerf Balk, and soon as they had found out about the yacht the owner, Edmiston and Collier went to Elburg. The yacht was owned by a former Dutch deep-sea captain, who had used the yacht for daytrips around Rotterdam for almost a decade. The Dutch owner was represented by Daan Balk, and by the end of the day both parties shook hands and Blue Bird was sold! History of M/Y Blue Bird In 1938 the yacht was launched from the Goole Shipyard as Blue Bird IV for Sir Malcolm Campbell. Designed by Scottish naval architects G.L. Watson she was to be an ocean going yacht as Sir Malcolm was planning to go treasure hunting in the Cocos Islands in the Pacific. She never made it to the Pacific as she was requisitioned in 1940 and went to Dunkirk to assist in the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125707/image/large-508e303de38ffdc19649e2e26bb58abe.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125707"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125708/image/large-5a4d9ff38896ff068d733ff927428f79.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125708"> In 1941 she patrolled off Liverpool, where she was almost blown up by a bomb, and later that same year she left for Northern Ireland, where she was to patrol the coast off Ulster and Eire. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125709/image/large-9a1a9716ab3dd87a6064c2e7aacd14c8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125709">After the war she was decommissioned, but by then Sir Malcolm Campbell was too old to undertake long voyages. He died in 1948 and five years later the yacht was sold. When Jean-Louis Renault, of the famous France car manufacturer, bought her in 1958 she was named Sterope. Over the next 25 years she was named Janick and cruised extensively through the Mediterranean, where she could be chartered for $600 a day. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125710/image/large-74690a5ccbe2d7fb8b522fade5130100.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125710">In 1973 she was sold to Mr Colberg who based her in Long Beach, California and she was painted green. When Bob Harvey-George bought her in 1986, he sailed her back to the United Kingdom. Major modifications were made that returned the yacht close to her original profile. After nine years of charters in British waters she was sold to a Dutch former deep-sea captain in 1995. She was based in Rotterdam from where she undertook daytrips, as well as cruises to the Baltic and the South Coast of England during the summer. The Restoration of M/Y Blue Bird G.L. Watson, her original designers, would oversee the restoration and Bannenberg Designs was appointed as interior designers. A logical choice as the late Jon Bannenberg was responsible for the restyling of the family yacht, the 82m Talitha G. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125711/image/large-1a3459ed251416fa7371c99c7943336b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125711">The refit contract was awarded to refit specialists, Astilleros de Mallorca. Much of her steel hull was still intact, but due to stability problems caused by her heavy superstructure, it was decided to rebuild the entire superstructure. While Astilleros de Mallorca was cutting steel, Bannenberg and the Client were discussing her new general arrangement. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125712/image/large-9188c014df26f5cc42d8b9e47d383feb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125712">To reduce noise and vibration Van Capellen Consultancy was appointed. The interior was contracted to Ruiter Quality Interiors, who had worked on other yachts together with Astilleros de Mallorca. Blue Bird is back! <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125713/image/large-f01a709ce44ce38cb100c8e89287dcb3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125713"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125714/image/large-0b48c27d6dadcdfd39269285e6e31c9b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125714"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125715/image/large-0755d7c0461a2d37a584cd55166b09ee.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125715"> We start our walk-through of Blue Bird on her aft deck, a small cozy deck with a table for six and a small built-in seating area in the bulwarks of her canoe stern. Double doors give access to the main deckhouse. Aft are a pair of dining tables, one at port and one at starboard side, which can be joined to form one larger table, with banquette seating. Stairs, leading to the VIP cabin, separate this dining area from the comfortable salon, built around a working fireplace. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125716/image/large-e2fffb0c70fb3bdf1e01451d55567fbb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125716"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125717/image/large-b842759b2257a118721ff99705079ed3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125717">A lobby, with on the left the galley, leads from the salon to the full beam owner’s cabin. A queen size bed dominates the room with a sofa on starboard and a spacious bathroom, with bathtub, on port side. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125718/image/large-d530d7f36d59d328ea2870c7175037e3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125718"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125719/image/large-741fdd36d13de7e268f2bb98046fc771.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125719"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125720/image/large-54a566665b853f746366586b5bc9c153.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125720">Below the owner’s cabin are a twin cabin with en suite bathroom, and a small single cabin, which can be used for guests or staff. Forward on the lower deck are two twin crew cabins, a captain’s cabin and the crew mess. The crew area is accessed via a traditional companionway on the fore deck. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125721/image/large-ce5ef514813051ba3dd8e365f27c02a0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125721">Two more guest cabins are located aft on the lower deck, aft of the engine room; a full beam VIP cabin, similar in size to the owner’s cabin, and a twin cabin in the stern. Both have their own bathrooms. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125722/image/large-961d53439929a7ca14f13debfde154a6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125722"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125723/image/large-6b5ec7d15b15c6284293acbec85af6e3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125723"> The upper deck houses the wheelhouse and a pantry, from which the alfresco dining area is served. Behind the deckhouse, on portside is space for sun loungers and the starboard side houses the elegant sailing tender, Chouette. Further aft is a large dining table, easily seating eight, and full beam sofa. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125724/image/large-f86ba4a6209e3ffe1d8907a7991cab7d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125724">In May 2007 Blue Bird was completed and left Palma. The summer of 2007 she spend cruising the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, while this winter she cruised the Caribbean. For more information contact Bannenberg: +44 (0)20 7736 0005 / <a href="mailto:yachts@bannenberg.com?subject=M/Y%20Blue%20Bird%20%28SuperYachtTimes.com">yachts@bannenberg.com</a> / <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bannenberg.com">www.bannenberg.com</a> By Merijn de Waard, photos by David Churchill &amp; Bannenberg