Holterman Shipyard in the Netherlands has been chosen to carry out an extensive refit on the J Class yacht Hanuman JK6.
Based on a 1937 design by Charles Nicholson, Hanuman was launched in 2009 and has been a staple of the J Class racing scene where she scored overall victories in events such as the St Barths Bucket and the Superyacht Cup Palma.
“Although the shipyard mainly does new-build motoryachts, it has completed refit works in the past, including not only its own models but also, for example, a 30-metre motoryacht,” explained Tim Wedzinga, refit manager at Holterman Shipyard.
“Refit is an area we are really looking to expand, as what we can offer is second to none – and having Hanuman, an iconic J Class sailing yacht, arrive for extensive works shows just what we can do.”
Full programme of works
Hanuman arrived in the Netherlands at the end of April, and after the rig was stepped and the yacht was loaded onto a transport barge. She arrived at Holterman’s Meppel yard at the end of May for the full programme of works to begin.
And in order to complete the works, the shipyard needed to make alterations to its sheds to accommodate the 42.19m yacht.
“The idea of the refit started with the need to replace the teak decks, but that has expanded to include something in every area of the yacht,” said Tim. “We will be installing a whole new air-conditioning system, new fridge freezer systems, upgrading the hydraulic system, replacing some interior floor soles, moving some deck hardware to more optimal positions, varnishing wood elements, and painting the underwater body and the topsides.”
And he explained that the first stage of the refit includes unmounting the rudder and removing 500 pieces of deck hardware.
He added: “It’s essentially a year’s worth of refit that we need to finish in seven months.”
