Two events and a landmark project for Baltic Yachts Service & Refit

Baltic Yachts is a headline partner at The Balearic Superyacht Forum on 24-25 April and Olimpia Corral Bosch, chief operating officer of Baltic Yachts Service & Refit, is one of the experts lined up for the keynote debate. The Forum is a brand new event that brings together a network of leading experts and a carefully curated VIP guest list for high-level discussions about the evolution and future of superyachting in the primary yacht service hub of the western Mediterranean.

“The refit business has grown substantially here in Palma, for Baltic Yachts and for the industry in general, and some interesting trends are under way,’ Olimpia says. ’Networks are key and it is important to get together, so I’m looking forward to sharing the insights we’ve learned about the future.”

Baltic Yachts will also have a presence at Palma Superyacht Village, from 25 to 28 April. Teams from both the build yard in Finland and the Service & Refit division in Palma will be on hand to discuss new developments and solutions in yachting, and to explore potential projects, at stand No SY30.

“Palma Superyacht Village is an essential date in the yachting calendar kicking off the summer season in the Mediterranean with an exceptionally high calibre of visitors,’ says Henry Hawkins, EVP of Baltic Yachts. As always we’re very much looking forward to meeting new clients, catching up with customers and networking with some of our partners.”

Meanwhile in Jakobstad, the transformational refit of the Baltic 175 Ravenger is now quite close to completion. The largest full carbon composite sloop in the world is expected to be back on the water in early summer with streamlined exterior styling by the owner’s team including Finnish designer Jarkko Jämsén. Refit works over the past eight months also include major upgrades to her rig, sailplan and sailing systems, a complete interior restyle by Design Unlimited, and some significant enhancements to her already world class levels of onboard comfort.

Delivered in 2017 and originally conceived purely as a cruiser, Ravenger has hardly ever been raced but that is quite likely to change in the near future. Her new owner acquired and transformed the 54-metre (175ft) judel/vrolijk sloop after seeing great potential to boost her already impressive performance – she regularly achieved 20 knots-plus in cruising mode – and to optimise her extensively for more performance orientated sailing.

Ravenger’s mast has been rebuilt to support a new, significantly more powerful sailplan with a square-top mainsail and a triple headsail configuration, plus larger code and offwind sails. Her bow has been modified, her bowsprit extended by 1.5m, her headstay replaced and running backstays fitted with deflectors. New Harken winches deliver much faster line speeds as well as a combined weight saving of close to three tonnes.

The exterior restyle includes a new styling for the hardtop bimini that shelters the midships passenger cockpit, a subtle but extensive repaint and new bespoke helm pedestals with an additional bimini above. Baltic Yachts also restyled the bow and bowsprit, replaced metal surfaces in the cockpit with teak, and worked on many small functional and cosmetic details.

The interior refit includes reconfiguring the yacht’s two-level saloon, replacing the piano area with a breakfast bar, and changing the finish of surfaces throughout all guest areas including the master cabin. Dark stained oak is now prominent and she has new cabinets, ceiling panels, bookshelves, floorboards and more. The stand-out feature of her original design and construction, the large fold-out balcony platforms in the saloon and owner’s cabin – a world first in a sailing superyacht – have been preserved.

The refit works are led by two of Baltic Yachts’ senior project managers, Mikael Nyberg and Tommy Johansson. ‘Another focus of this project is enhancing her noise reduction solutions ensuring they remain leading edge by implementing all the knowledge we have gained in recent projects,’ Tommy explains. ‘She was state of the art then, but there have been some big developments since she was delivered. For example, we have made a new bedding mount for the entire interior and installed a complete new fastening system for ceiling panels.’

No changes are needed to the yacht’s technical systems other than installing some new, more power-efficient pumps. The yacht’s crew have used the refit as an opportunity to fully service all existing systems, working closely alongside Baltic Yachts’ in-house technicians. ‘This close cooperation has benefits both ways,’ Mikael says. ‘We learn a lot by having experienced and knowledgeable crew like them in the yard.’

‘The boat is entering a new phase of her life,’ Mikael says. ‘With this refit we are ensuring she is fit and ready for the next challenges that await her, be they on the race course or exploring off the beaten track.’