Addressing the Challenges of Yacht Refitting: Preparation is More than Just a Head Start

Given the soaring number of yachts worldwide and the paucity of first-rate shipyards that can service them, the significance of robust refit planning and early booking cannot be overstated. Yachts are increasingly becoming elaborate, bigger, and more dependent on Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for service maintenance tasks. In such a scenario, if you yearn for your choice of refit yard and service contractors, then well-timed preparation becomes all the more mandatory. Waiting till the fag end of the summer season to check for shipyard spaces could prove futile, often resulting in hasty and messy refit processes. Conversations with a spectrum of industry stakeholders, including owners and shipyards, reveal that refit failures are not uncommon, and a lack of preparation is frequently to blame. An effective antidote to this is engaging a devoted refit professional from the early stages of planning who can work with the crew, owners, and management to cater to the client’s needs, delineate the scale of work, and chart the best possible course. This person can then seamlessly align with the vessel’s operation, fostering transparency and ensuring that all stakeholders stay looped in about the project developments. Acting proactively in structuring and directing the project can infuse a sense of authority and control, steering the shipyard to attain the set objectives. Sufficient lead time, coupled with a willingness to invest in a meticulous approach, can yield highly successful, cost-effective refits with minimal time wastage at the preferred shipyard, and with the chosen OEMs. This strategic approach can ensure a positive experience for all parties involved. Nevertheless, it’s a tall order to convince owners that the cost of professional project management is an investment that will accrue sizable returns in the long run. Such cost-effective, hands-on project management is pivotal, more so for complex refits involving larger vessels. The regular crew, while adept at keeping the boat shipshape and ensuring a memorable guest experience, may lack the time and the requisite experience to plan and execute refits. An efficient refit project demands robust specifications, balanced decision-making, progressive authority, and a commitment to following a cohesive, proactive plan. Fixed-term class intermediate and renewal surveys can help manage the refit periods. Timely preparation is undeniably key to fend off disastrous ramifications of late changes to cost and schedule when the refit is already underway.