Royal Balk Shipyard signals plans to raise the game in superyacht refits

The 225-year-old Balk Shipyard, known for extensive refit work, has signalled its intention to raise its game in superyacht refits to meet growing demands from buyers. In 2025, the yard coined the term “ReCrafting”, which it defines as the art of making something greater from that which already exists. 

“Royal Balk Shipyard is developing a new approach to major yacht refits, removing many of the obstacles that can make getting started complex, time-consuming and sometimes daunting,” said Niels Lensen, Sales Director at Royal Balk Shipyard. “By working with carefully selected partners and identifying suitable existing yachts for transformation, we are offering new and accessible routes to creating the yacht of their dreams in less than half the time of a new build, and at a fraction of the cost.”

Lensen joined Royal Balk in July 2026 to be, in part, the primary contact for refits. His appointment comes at a time of increasing demand for complex refits and ReCrafts, the yard said in a statement.

Royal Balk Shipyard has delivered four refitted yachts this year to date and currently has two other yachts at the shipyard; later this month, a sailing yacht will arrive for a “no-expense-spared”, extensive refit. The shipyard has three construction halls, with space for four yachts, as well as additional hardstands and berths. The shipyard specialises in 25 to 65-metre motor and sailing yachts.

The latest example of a “ReCrafted” yacht from Royal Balk was the 30-metre Ursus in late 2025. The yacht, originally a 24-metre vessel, came to the yard in 2022. Among the works were a six-metre hull extension for better hydrodynamics and internal volume, a reconfigured pod propulsion system, and a revamped bridge system.

^{Ursus just after a 3-year ReCrafting from Royal Balk Shipyard, with a new bow and stern adding six metres LOA}

"Ursus was completely transformed from bow to stern,” said Evan Kortmann of Balk Shipyard at the time. “This type of complex ReCraft is something we've refined over many projects, and Ursus showcases what's possible when an owner has a clear vision and when we partner with an exceptional studio, such as Mulder Design.”

The yacht required a 3D scan of the hull to define the ideal length and shape, with both the bow and stern removed and new steel sections fabricated. The tender garage was relocated from the foredeck to the aft deck. The sundeck was extended, creating space for, among other features, two Jet Skis. At the stern, a two-tier beach club was added.

Ursus was also upgraded with a hybrid propulsion system, new stabilisers, Veth props, and a dynamic positioning system. Her bridge was completely upgraded as well.

^{New contra-rotating pods and upgraded systems help meet modern standards in fuel efficiency - Ursus}

Veth developed a newer, smaller ELITE™ Series thruster for Ursus by refining the design using 3D-printed flow parts. The contra-rotating thrusters were also fitted with specially developed Rolla Class S propellers featuring six and seven blades—a choice aimed at minimising noise and vibration.

Ursus was equipped with four control stations: a main station on the bridge, two wing stations, and a unique flybridge station developed as a second full master station. According to Veth, the stations are linked with electronically synchronised levers, allowing seamless transfer of control between positions.

Superyacht refit yards are busy these days, and many have announced major expansion plans over the past year. A 2026 report by Deloitte, commissioned by SYBAss, noted that the refit sector is driven by the demand for modernisation and environmental upgrades, often needed to keep the existing fleet compliant with evolving standards.

^{All images courtesy Royal Balk Shipyard}