Iconic J Class yacht Hanuman arrives for refit at Holterman Shipyard
by Holterman Shipyard 5 Jun 2024 14:16 BST
Hanuman refit at Holterman Shipyard © Holterman Shipyard
The stunning sailing yacht Hanuman - one of the iconic J Class fleet that wow crowds around the world with their grace, power and beauty - has arrived in Meppel for a planned refit at Holterman.
With a scope of works that - among other things - extends from replacing the decks and repainting the hull and topsides to replacing the air-conditioning system, the hydraulics system and much of the interior sole floorboards the refit represents a year's worth of work that the yard's expert team will complete in seven months to meet a strict racing deadline.
Holterman may not be well known for refit, but it has undertaken several refit projects in the past and Hanuman represents a step forward in the capabilities of the shipyard. Not only is she the yard's first sailing yacht project, she also represents the pinnacle of the international sailing superyacht scene, and as such there is nowhere for the Holterman team to hide!
"We have an expert inhouse team including our own carpenters, so we can be super flexible," enthuses Tim Wedzinga, Refit Manager at Holterman Shipyard. "Hanuman is the big fish here in the yard, so we're pretty focused on the project! We are pretty low-key, and don't need 10 management meetings a day - it's a good bunch of people and we have straight lines between the yard, engineers and subcontractors. It's basically," Wedzinga continues, "about making it an easier experience for the captain, crew and owner rather than them going to a big yard where they're just one of many refits. It's a real advantage we have here at Holterman."
With the 42.19-metre yacht safely installed in her refit shed at the end of May, works have already begun in earnest with the team striding confidently toward the first milestone of the works - the removal of 500 pieces of deck hardware and the stripping of the deck back to bare aluminium.
"The refit is basically a big puzzle, but we've got day-to-day planning of every aspect of the works on board to guarantee a timely, efficient and top-quality result," Wedzinga concludes. "We'll ensure she'll be ready to take on the competition at the 2025 St Barths Bucket!"