“Maltese Falcon”, the 88-metre sailing superyacht commissioned by Tom Perkins and built in 2006 by the famed Perini Navi, with naval architecture by Gerard Dijkstra and interior design by Ken Freivokh, has completed her refit at Lusben. It has taken more than six months and involved over 80 people working on various teams in synergy with the boat’s crew.

Lusben’s technical experts, internationally renowned for the quality of their refitting work, have successfully translated the needs of the owner into reality, providing support and coordination for a series of aesthetic and functional improvements. One of the most challenging jobs was repainting the entire hull in its distinctive ‘Perini Blue’. This operation, more than any other, gave the yard’s technical specialists the chance to show off all their experience and know-how.

The various teams then, in turn, carried out maintenance work on the onboard systems – generators, main engines, propellers – including the delicate overhaul of the mast handling system.

The refit work then focused on sustainability, now a central issue on the political agendas not only of governments but also of boat builders. This was the reason for the decision to replace the generators with superior class units that are more efficient and have lower fuel consumption. It is also why the main engine mufflers were changed, delivering significant benefits for both the environment and guests thanks to a considerable reduction in noise levels. On the advice of Lusben’s technical experts – demonstrating profitable collaboration between the yard, the captain and the crew – the propellers were thoroughly checked, and the shafts, blades and bearings disassembled and serviced, to ensure efficiency in the years to come and optimise fuel consumption.

The distinctive feature of this sailing yacht – and the reason for its emotional appeal – is the sail rig, which underwent extensive work because it is such a vital and delicate system. Produced by UK-based Insensys, the forerunner of the Dynarig system is based on three rotating carbon fibre masts capable of deploying up to 2,396 square meters of sail. This surface area translates into a top speed of 25 knots with a displacement of 1,240 tonnes.  For these reasons, there was a special focus on the rig, involving controls and cleaning operations across the entire mast handling system.

The teak deck was also replaced, and the interiors refurbished – the cabins and bathrooms in particular – to offer guests an even more welcoming and comfortable night area, plus a fully appointed galley. The lighting has also been replaced with LED technology, resulting in significant energy savings. The work commissioned also covered routine maintenance, including hull cleaning and overhauling the valves.

Lusben once again set the stage for a delicate refit operation, with challenging delivery times, that has not only improved the aesthetics and comfort of the yacht, but also returned her to her captain and crew boasting on the one hand better performance and on the other reduced fuel consumption and emissions as a result of upgrades to the onboard systems.

Gianni Paladino, Lusben Commercial Director, said about the refit: “It was challenging project for all of us, not least because the sheer size of this sailing yacht required us to design and build a special system to accommodate the vessel in dry dock. We worked in synergy with the various teams involved in the refit work and with the customer, satisfying their wishes and at the same time suggesting improvements with a view to increasing efficiency and energy savings. It was an honour for all of us to be able to carry out this modernisation work on such an iconic boat, one that has made international yachting history”.

“It was a challenging job and an effort that involved everyone, because of the high expectations around the project and the complexity of its planning and execution, but the result is more than satisfactory thanks to the support of the yard and Lusben’s team. The Maltese Falcon can now return to the sea in all her splendour, regaling her guests with new and unforgettable experiences,” said Pierfrancesco Cafaro, captain of Maltese Falcon.