THE REBIRTH OF MY URSUS, FIRST LOOK AT EXTERIOR DESIGN OF THE 30M EXPLORER YACHT BEING REBUILT AT BALK SHIPYARD

The 24-metre Acico motor yacht MY Ursus arrived at Balk Shipyard in 2022 for a complete rebuild, which will see a complete reimagining of the interior and exterior. One of the most significant works has already taken place: Balk Shipyard has now successfully affixed new bow and stern sections, extending MY Ursus by six metres, converting the vessel into a 30.36-metre pocket explorer yacht. 

Balk Shipyard is working in cooperation with Mulder Design and the owner’s team on the rebuild of MY Ursus, with the central objective of improving the vessel’s seakeeping performance and onboard living space. Mulder Design outlined a new naval architecture, penned the exterior design and will oversee the interior design and styling with the owner’s team. 

“We have been honoured to be working with involved and passionate owners for this project. They are experienced yachtspeople who want to maximise the enjoyment they get from their vessel,” says Evan Kortmann, Chief Executive Officer at Balk Shipyard. “This is a dramatic rebuild and MY Ursus will not only leave larger than when she arrived, she will leave completely changed. Mulder Design has beautifully reimagined the vessel; it’ll be hard to believe this is the same yacht.” 

“Both the bow and the stern are completely new extensions,” says Bas Mulder, Owner of Mulder Design. “Only the middle part of the yacht’s hull remained untouched. The superstructure has a 1-metre extension to create a larger salon and sundeck.” 

“A rebuild is always a challenge,” says Jan Willem Frederikze, Naval Architect and Project Leader at Mulder Design. ”Even more so if a yacht is taken from a CE (below 24 metres) to a Class vessel. This makes for a hybrid structure, hybrid layout and hybrid decision-making.” 

The deck areas will also be overhauled and remapped. The upper deck will be extended to provide even more real estate for the owner and guests. And a new al fresco kitchen will be installed. Other work includes new wing stations and crane foundations, a renewed beach club, and numerous technical upgrades. With the new layout, there will be an increase in crew accommodation. 

“Our focus on the exterior was to blend the motifications with the original design characteristics,” Mulder continues, “all to keep a cohered yacht.” 

Balk Shipyard has a history of complex refits and rebuilds, with many extensions in its portfolio. One key redelivery was the 16-month refit on the Feadship Emerald, which included a 3-metre stern extension. MY Emerald was redelivered before the summer season and her refit has proven a great success: the owner and family have thoroughly enjoyed their time onboard, and under management by TWW Yachts, MY Emerald has proven to be a successful charter vessel. The refit has also been shortlisted for a BOAT International World Superyacht Award. 

Balk Shipyard has an incredible wealth of expertise for complex refits and rebuilds, developed over two centuries of shipbuilding. We are proud to have many third-generation employees working at Balk Shipyard and the breadth of skills that we have in-house is exceptional. 

“The expertise channelled into all projects at Balk Shipyard ensures every delivery carries the ‘Made in Holland’ stamp. The team we’ve built over the centuries is passionate; this passion translates into quality, assurance and true craftsmanship – the hallmarks of Balk Shipyard.” 

Located in the Netherlands, close to Amsterdam, one of the main superyacht hubs in the world, Balk Shipyard has many talented engineers, designers and architects on its doorstep. Complex extensions like MY Ursus which require external support for thorough naval architectural studies can be completed quickly and efficiently. We have built an astounding network of local and global partners that lend their expertise when needed. 

With Amsterdam just an hour away from Balk Shipyard, and Lelystad Airport even closer, owners and their representatives have a frictionless experience when visiting the shipyard and their projects. 

MY Ursus will be redelivered later this year.