AMSTERDAM – In three soaring halls at the Port of Amsterdam’s western edge, Huisfit, the Royal Huisman unit turns vast sailing yachts into immaculate modern classics. The latest restoration project to emerge from the Huisfit complex is the 62m (203ft) Athos that was built in 2010 by the now defunct Holland Jachtbouw yard. The new Athos underwent a stem-to-stern upgrade.
Huisfit takes on classification-driven refits and maintenance. It re-arranges and refurbishes superyacht interiors. It specializes in yacht conversions, rebuilds, and “green” solutions.
Before acquiring the Hoek-designed Athos, the new owner chartered the yacht for a year, fell in love with it and spelled out the many ways in which she could be optimized. What started out as a refit soon became a refit, rebuild and renewal project. Huisfit says the work ended up including:
- An extension of the stern overhang
- New cockpit layouts
- Installation of a new forward navigation deckhouse
- new booms, sails and carbon rigging to improve sailing per
- Updating all technical systems
- A makeover of interiors, including the owner’s cabin, a guest cabin, the main salon, and new crew areas.
- A reworking by Hoek Design of the naval architecture work to accommodate these changes, the interior styling and layout of the new owner’s cabin, one of the guest cabins, the main salon, the new crew service area and the navigation deckhouse. Peter Mikic Interiors was responsible for the layout and styling of the main deckhouse and for the overall guest interior decoration.
Huisfit’s capability and reputation for quality led to obtaining the project. For the owner, it was a bonus to take Athos back to the location where she was originally built in 2010, now Huisfit’s Amsterdam deep water refit facility.
Athos’ stern has been extended by 1.25m/4ft, a seemingly modest extension. Yet the concave and convex curves of the new section called for exceptional skills in the design and build of the aluminum structure in order to fit perfectly into the aluminum hull.
