Sandalphon Yacht News & Events

Sandalphon yacht at Hook of Holland

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Sandalphon yacht at Balk Shipyard

Sandalphon yacht submarine refit plans

U-Boat-Workx submarine rendering onboard Sandalphon

Balk Shipyard facility in Urk

U-Boat-Workx submarine rendering for Sandalphon

Sandalphon yacht with submarine 

Sandalphon yacht anchored

Sandalphon

“Being a refit specialist is definitely underestimated,” says Daan Balk, owner of the Netherlands' <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk Shipyard</a>, who, after a lifetime in the family business, was recently approached with a refit request he’d never received before. This October, Balk and his team are being put to the test by upgrading the 31-metre explorer yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5933" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sandalphon31.0m (101'8&quot;)Balk Shipyard2017">Sandalphon</a> with an all-new two-person submarine. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/168112/image/large-674e79fb97940431ab707a983d37c5c0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/168112"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5933" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sandalphon31.0m (101'8&quot;)Balk Shipyard2017">Sandalphon</a>’s owner first came up with the idea to put a submarine onboard after spotting a similar model during the Monaco Yacht Show in 2019. One year later, he returned to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk</a> yard to ask that his superyacht was adapted to accommodate a Nemo submarine by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1535" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="U-Boat Worx B.V. (Company)">U-Boat Worx</a> in time for his winter trip to the Baltics. &nbsp;Now with their new, bigger and better facility taking shape, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk Shipyard</a> are broadening their horizons and list of refit services. With submarine installations being one of them, SuperYacht Times discussed with Balk how they plan to get the submersible on board.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/167326/image/large-24354b8ea4c90353aeeb4e2b1740e1c9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/167326">Explore the possibilitiesFirst of all, the team of naval architects and refit specialists need to make an initial assessment as to whether the yacht is suitable for a submarine integration. For the owner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5933" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sandalphon31.0m (101'8&quot;)Balk Shipyard2017">Sandalphon</a>, his ideas were quickly approved as the yacht had previously been lengthened by 4 metres at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk Shipyard</a> five years prior, leaving plenty of space for the new submarine alongside the existing two tenders, Jet Skis, waverunners and Seabobs. Plus, by working alongside long-term partners <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/37" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture (Company)">Azure Yacht Design &amp; Naval Architecture</a>, the team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk</a> were able to expertly study and recalculate the stability of the yacht given the additional weight and reconfiguration. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/170101/image/large-504284fe065a74335bc9db53d3b002f3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/170101">Review the equipmentThe crane onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5933" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sandalphon31.0m (101'8&quot;)Balk Shipyard2017">Sandalphon</a> was suitable for handling the yacht’s tenders and toys, but was deemed unfit to carry a submarine. With a new and more robust crane due to be fitted, the refit team devised a plan to recalculate the whole structure of the superyacht. Once the bulkheads are reinforced and the main deck is reconstructed to accommodate the heavier base, the new crane will be able to lift, carry and deploy the submarine.&nbsp;A <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1535" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="U-Boat Worx B.V. (Company)">U-Boat Worx</a> submarine comes complete with diving compressors, air tanks and battery chargers - all of which need to be integrated and carried onboard. As well as the necessary safety kit, one of the yacht’s tenders will be outfitted with communication systems, so the submarine can be contacted whilst the tender is on the surface as its safety guardian and cruising companion. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/170135/image/large-1db73f0856e8155b94b561184a2342f8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/170135">Work towards the delivery&nbsp;With a four-month time-frame to refit <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5933" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sandalphon31.0m (101'8&quot;)Balk Shipyard2017">Sandalphon</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk Shipyard</a> has already conducted the necessary studies, recalculated the yacht’s specs, drawn up the new designs and detailed engineering plan, and has all the equipment on standby. Once completed, the submarine’s thick glass bowl is tested in England and the fully-completed submarine is to undergo intense trials in depths of up to 100 metres. Then, all that’s left is for the crew to obtain their operating licenses to run the sub.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/169928/image/large-5b1d715ec64fb2713655db4bb395d72a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/169928">Being a refit specialist requires finding new ways of thinking and a flair for problem-solving - traits that Balk and his team employ time and time again to succeed on even the most demanding project. Now, with a full order book and four refit projects in the shed, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk Shipyard</a> is looking forward to continuing its 220-year heritage as one of Netherlands’ most long-standing refit yards. To find out more about its services, contact the yard directly via the information below. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/170099/image/large-484eae4b35d49ab914f53199009cef00.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/170099">

How to refit yachts with submarines

Balk Shipyard explains how they go about refitting yachts with submarines.

How to refit a yacht to accommodate a submarine

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/168112/image/large-674e79fb97940431ab707a983d37c5c0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/168112">Seen here arriving in the Hook of Holland at the gateway to the North Sea yesterday is the 31-metre explorer yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5933" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sandalphon31.0m (101'8&quot;)Balk Shipyard2017">Sandalphon</a>. Known before as project Gisele,&nbsp;the semi-completed vessel arrived at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk Shipyard</a> in the Netherlands in 2015 where she was completely stripped down and lengthened to her current measurements. The vessel was essentially cut in half – twice. A precise incision amidships and another aft made it possible to add roughly four metres of new ship to Sandalphon. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/37" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture (Company)">Azure Yacht Design &amp; Naval Architecture</a> developed the new design and naval architecture of the rebuilt vessel, including the custom interior.

Yacht Sandalphon arriving in Holland

The explorer yacht Sandalphon spotted making her way up the New Waterway at the Hook of Holland.

The 31m explorer yacht Sandalphon in Holland 

Earlier this week, Dutch refit specialists launched the completely rebuilt 31-metre explorer type motor yacht Sandalphon. Known before as project Gisele, the yacht hit the water in the town of Urk and will now undergo final outfitting and sea trials.

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/165135/image/large-3a5628134ce478281f89ff26b187894b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/165135">

Project Gisele arrived at Balk Shipyard in 2015 where she was completely stripped down and lengthened to her current measurements. The vessel was essentially cut in half – twice. A precise incision amidships and another aft made it possible to add roughly four metres of new ship to Sandalphon. Azure Naval Architects were in charge of making sure she will cruise even more efficiently and stable as ever before once returned to the water.

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/165136/image/large-342d8c0e78601dfbc33798784fb262a7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/165136">

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/165137/image/large-7eb4382735364881ef624ee8bed546c6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/165137">

“This project has been challenging for my team. Stripping down a yacht and rebuilding it again could be considered an even harder job compared to that of a new build,” comments Daan Balk – CEO of Balk Shipyard. “With hard work, expertise and dedication we have achieved the best results, just as the Owner requested.”

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/165138/image/large-02f61ff0ffc303117a10f354b2d0f90d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/165138">

Azure also played a big role in the redesign of the guest spaces onboard, many of which are today completely different to when the yacht first arrived at the shipyard. The new interior by Azure features a bar and lounge area on the sun deck which gets covered by a canvas awning system. The team’s experience made it possible for Sandalphon to be re-launched as the elegant explorer that we see today. “Our first cooperation [with Balk Shipyard] has been very successful and I sincerely hope we can make this a long term cooperation”, says Erik Spek, Managing Director of Azure Naval Architects.

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/165139/image/large-9e82a658580370a72a2191f24e2c07f0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/165139">

Sandalphon is expected to be ready for handover at the end of May/beginning June later this year.

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Balk Shipyard launches 31m world cruiser Sandalphon

Balk Shipyard has signed a new contract for a 31 metre explorer project. Although the yard cannot reveal too much information at the moment, they did share with us that the design is by Azure Naval Architects.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/154573/image/large-58acdcbd5bab97ac17df16ef0ca74281.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/154573">"The yacht features a spacious plan as well as tenders and toys for an extraordinary yachting experience", a shipyard representative commented.The yacht is expected to be delivered late 2016, which leaves room for speculation that it could in fact be an existing hull and/or superstructure, that will be completed at Balk.By Maarten Janssen