Refit Project: CNB 60

Hassle-Free Yacht Purchase

Here at S6 Marine we aim to remove all of the stress and worry that often goes hand in hand with buying a yacht. We want the whole process to be smooth sailing before the final result; you relaxing and enjoying your time on the water.

With S6 Marine you’ll never have to worry about the buying or transfer of ownership – we handle everything from the purchase and commissioning of your yacht, refit and maintenance, right through to the day-to-day running, berthing, charters, crew management and repairs with our sister company diYachting.

Alongside diYachting we have provided this turnkey yacht purchase, management and charter service for a number of owners; helping them to find and purchase their yacht, then managing all of the yacht’s activities on an ongoing basis. Here we share with you an example of how we have helped our client to buy the yacht of their dreams, undertake an extensive refit and enjoy ownership without any of the usual hassle or stress.

Searching For ‘The One’

Having already owned vessels in the 40-50ft range, our client came to us wanting to upgrade to a larger yacht that would accommodate their growing family. Cruising and exploration was firmly on the agenda, as well as a bit of racing and maybe the occasional transatlantic trip. The yacht needed to be comfortable and luxurious with plenty of space to entertain guests, whilst maintaining that fun factor with easy access to water sports and toys. As experts in the management and charter of luxury yachts from18m-30m, diYachting were all too happy to assist and suggested that our S6 Marine Buyers Agent service would be the ideal package to help them find the boat of their dreams.

Buyers Agent Service

Buying your dream yacht can be a daunting task. As a buyer, you are traditionally alone in the process; the broker works to get the best price for the vendor, leaving you at a disadvantage from the beginning. It’s often a case of you versus a seasoned professional. To address this imbalance, S6 Marine offers a Buyers Agent service, giving you your very own specialist to guide and assist you through the complex process of buying a yacht and to ensure you secure a deal at the right price.

Working in the property business, our client was familiar with large purchase negotiations, but they wanted someone to aid them in their search for the right vessel and to guide them through the minefield of paperwork that comes with buying a yacht; this is something that we have 

become very experienced in and we know the processes inside out.

In this case, we took time to understand the needs and wishes of our client and discussed the pros and cons of buying new versus a refit project. Buying new was certainly an attractive prospect, but the extra flexibility that a refit offered was the winning solution.

By taking on an older yacht and bringing it up to date, our client had the opportunity to put their own mark on the identity of the boat and fully tailor it to their needs, at a fraction of the cost of a new build.

So, we then began by drawing up a list of suitable models for our client to consider. The most obvious choices were between Hanse and CNB models, but it was the CNB Bordeaux 60 that won over this owner’s heart. A shortlist was duly formed and we visited several examples of varying price and quality in the South of France before narrowing the hunt down to two CNB Bordeaux 60’s in the UK. After much careful research and meticulous inspection, we finally made an offer on the one that had the best refit potential and a vendor with a willingness to negotiate on price. After a period of toing and froing, an excellent price was agreed and accepted and S6 Marine then carefully managed the completion of the sale including the survey, paperwork and financial transfers, alleviating our client of any worries or stress. The sale was completed just before Christmas, ready for the refit to begin in the New Year.

Full Service Refit

S6 Marine handled the entire refit project. From setting out the timescales, recruiting contractors, overseeing the works and having a beady eye on quality control, we were there every step of the way. With our technical expertise and extensive refit experience, we were able to formulate a realistic timeline and order of processes so that all of the different parties involved could work together efficiently. This is a great way of avoiding delays and saving money in the long run; spotting issues before they become a problem and juggling labourers to ensure the best quality

finish. We also acted as a single point of contact for our client, providing regular updates and progress reports so that they felt fully involved in the project without any of the hassle.

Exterior

Up on deck, the yacht was in need of a lot of love. We appreciate that first impressions are very important to our clients, so it was vital that this yacht’s former glory was fully revived. As well as removing all of the clutches, tracks and winches and thoroughly cleaning, servicing and replacing them where necessary, we also put a lot of effort into making sure this superb yacht would glimmer and shine and turn heads once again.

Deck Renovations

The teak decks of the yacht were in a very sorry state. Having been pressure washed and bleached in the sun, they were in need of full restoration. Our extremely dedicated carpenter worked all hours to take the teak back 2mm by hand and sanding it back to it’s former glory. The finished result was simply stunning – as good as new!

Al Fresco Luxury

In the cockpit, the badly worn dining table was faded and looking tired. Sanded back, repaired and varnished, a beautiful centre-piece was created in the well proportioned seating area. New outdoor cushions in cool grey, white and black compliment the table perfectly and this is a wonderful place in which to sit back and unwind or to entertain guests under the stars; the feeling is one of calm and relaxation.

Taking The Helm

The twin helm stations were upgraded with new instrument displays and as the new displays did not fit the original panel, we took the opportunity to modify the helm plinths and finish them with a stylish carbon dashboard. We also decided to restore the original wheels instead of replacing them with new. After much careful work by our carpenter, the wheels now look like a work of art with carbon veneer weaved into the grain of the wood; they really do look fantastic at the back of the yacht and taking the helm certainly feels very special.

Rigging Overhaul

On close inspection of the rig, it became clear that there was a lot of wear and tear. Although sound, the mast needed a respray, as well as the boom. Whilst on the ground, new antennas were run into the mast and a new radar fitted for the fleet broadband. A custom stand was produced for the security camera and new halyard sheaves were specced. Much of the running rigging was replaced and, as a bit of racing and at least one transatlantic crossing was planned, the yacht was set up to fly symmetrical spinnakers with the addition of a new carbon spinnaker pole, a code zero race sail and two asymmetric kites.

State-Of-The-Art Tech

Many of the onboard electronics were under specced and out of date, so a full package upgrade was required. Our client valued good quality and advanced technology so our expert in-house specialist recommended a new and extensive package of Raymarine electronics to be installed. This included the best navigation technology, autopilot, radio communications and a new satellite system. We also installed fleet broadband to provide uninterrupted broadband data coverage anywhere at sea, anywhere in the world. New SAILMON screens were chosen at the mast for their innovative crystal-clear instrument displays and a night vision security camera with remote access provides extra safety and peace of mind for the family when they are onboard. Even the fuel & water tanks were upgraded with digital readouts. Last, but not least, a wireless SONOS sound system was integrated into the refit to provide the very best in surround sound for the new wide screen TV and music devices onboard.

Beneath The Surface

Upon taking the yacht out of the water, it was clear that there was much work to be done below the waterline. Over 7 years worth of anti-foul had to be sandblasted off before being taken back to the original gelcoat by hand. A few stress fractures were also found on the topsides, so the damaged areas were ground out and the gelcoat restored; the damaged panels were repaired and blended in so well that you would never know there had even been a blemish! As the keel had been sat in the mud for a significant amount of time, all of the original epoxy had come off, so this had to be re-applied and faired to look as new. As a safety precaution, all of the seacocks and skin fittings were replaced and any redundant fittings were removed completely. Finally, the folding propeller had virtually seized shut so this was removed, dipped in acid, serviced and polished to look and work as new.

Interior

Luxurious Detailing

Down below, the yacht was furnished with plenty of wood which was sanded back and newly varnished. The cabin dining table was also stripped back and fully restored. The soft furnishings were in desperate need of an update and the owner’s wife lead the way in designing bespoke fabrics to reupholster the cushions and soft side panels throughout the yacht. This resulted in a luxurious and completely unique interior that wouldn’t be seen on any other yacht, anywhere in the world.

All Of The Mod Cons

Taking advantage of the new and advanced marine tech available, the galley was fitted out with the very best appliances including a Quooker boiling water tap for instant hot water – essential for a constant supply of tea onboard! A water filtration unit was also installed to provide crystal clear and tasty drinking water and the water maker was serviced and restored ready for the transatlantic trip. Furthermore, the poor water pressure issues were fixed with new tanks and plumbing to ensure that no-one would get a nasty cold shock in the shower when someone turns on a tap in the galley – it’s these little details that really make the difference when creating a relaxing and harmonious ambience onboard.

Extra Space

Although the layout onboard was largely fit for purpose, there were a couple of modifications that needed to be made. The first was the addition of a crew cabin. This was essential if the boat was to be chartered, so the forward sail locker was fitted out with pipe cots and a new heads to create a suitable space for the liveaboard crew. Another opportunity to create more space was identified in the en-suite of the master cabin; the over-sink cabinet protruded so far out that it was nearly impossible to use the sink. To fix this, the team reduced the depth of the cabinets, wrapping the alcove with three mirrored panels with storage behind – a great space saving idea that is very practical too.

Compliance and Registration

MCA Coding

The yacht had very little safety equipment and, what was onboard, was in need of replacement. This included an old life raft that nobody would want to depend their life upon! As the yacht was due to be chartered, a full MCA Coding package was required. The complexities of the MCA Code of Practice and MLC can be daunting but here at S6 Marine we are well versed in kitting out yachts to comply and we have specially formulated packages that cover everything required.

New Identity

As the transformation evolved, it was decided that this yacht deserved a new identity to celebrate her new lease of life. The name was changed and she adopted a smart black and white colour scheme with a black antifoul, white topsides and black hull stripes. New graphics were designed with a simple and modern theme and proudly displayed on the newly polished shiny transom and boom. We also acquired a new sail number for her so that the owner could go racing and looked after the registration process to make the new name official.

Full Service Management

Following her re-launch, hull no.30 went into full diYachting technical, logistics and charter management and is available for charter in between the owner’s private use. diYachting pride themselves in offering exceptional service to clients and believe that they offer some of the best crewed yacht charter holidays available in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. They look after everything from charter setup and calendar coordination, to marketing, bookings, budgeting and compliance. They can even recruit and manage the crew and look after all of the ongoing maintenance and technical support.

CNB 60 Hull no.30

This is a project that we are very proud of. Hull no.30 has been given a second chance of life on the water and she offers a wonderful opportunity for our charter clients to enjoy a luxurious holiday onboard. Her owner and many other lucky souls will get so much enjoyment from everything that she has to give in her new and improved splendour and we are honoured to be a part of her future legacy. 

If you have been inspired by this story, contact us to discover out how we could help you to find, purchase and refit the yacht of your dreams.