The Damen Yachting
Refit Momentum
With a growing trend of superyacht Owners returning for refits, driven by factors including lifecycle extension strategies, sustainability considerations, and the value of established yard relationships, the refit books are currently busy, with the refit sector having experienced significant growth in 2024 compared with the previous year. Damen Yachting brings 25 years of continuous refit experience, operating from the Netherlands' largest superyacht hub, servicing not only our own Amels, Xplorer and Yacht Support builds but also competitors' yachts, a strategy that requires both confidence and capability.
Adding to this momentum is a growing base of returning Owners, a reflection of the shipyard's exceptional craftsmanship and project delivery. In the world of superyacht construction and refit, customer loyalty speaks volumes. These returning Clients demonstrate not merely satisfaction, but deep trust in the yard's ability to execute complex projects to exacting standards. This repeat business creates a virtuous cycle, satisfied Owners become advocates within their networks, leading to referrals throughout the exclusive yacht Owner community.
The operational foundation supporting this Client loyalty is equally impressive. The shipyard's two facilities in Vlissingen, offer a strategic advantage that cannot be understated in an industry where logistics can make or break a project. Located on the south coast with direct access to the open sea, this unrestricted access means superyachts of any size can arrive and depart with ease, while sea trials can be conducted efficiently without the time and expense of repositioning yachts.
Our Refit Philosophy
Recent refit deliveries demonstrate Damen Yachting’s ability to attract discerning Owners. Projects like the maintenance refit of the 74-metre Amels 242, AVANTI, and the extensive 26-month refit that included a hull extension increasing the yacht's overall length by seven metres of ALBATROSS, now renamed MOONSTONE, showcase the yard's refit range, from technical upgrades, engineering intelligence, operational foresight and systems overhauls to aesthetic transformations that respect the original design whilst introducing contemporary refinements. These aren't simply maintenance jobs; they're complex undertakings that require meticulous project management, engineering problem-solving, and craftsmanship.
"Our refit philosophy is straightforward: deliver exceptional results, and Clients return," explains Michel Coens, Head of Refit & Services at Damen Yachting. “The refit market runs on trust; Owners need to know their yacht is in hands that understand both the technical complexities and the emotional investment. We're seeing Owners who refitted with us five, even ten years ago, coming back for their next project. When Clients return to us or recommend us to fellow Owners, that's the ultimate validation of our approach,” says Coens. “That loyalty isn't accidental; it's earned through consistent quality and understanding what each yacht means to its Owner.”
Central to this approach is Damen Yachting’s ability to combine the discipline of a full-scale new-build facility with the agility required for complex transformations. Each refit begins with the Owner’s vision and evolves through engineering-led solutions and design-driven innovation, ensuring the yacht is not only renewed for today but future-ready for the years ahead.
The MOONSTONE project is a clear example of this philosophy in action. Beyond the seven-metre hull extension, the refit introduced a reimagined lifestyle layout, including a new Beach Club complete with sauna and steam room, a Main Deck pool, an Upper Deck jacuzzi and a winter garden enclosed by sliding glass. The result is a yacht reborn both visually and functionally, the kind of transformation where, as Coens notes, “you can’t quite believe she didn’t look like this before.”
Our Engineering Depth
What sets serious refit yards apart isn't simply dock space, it's the engineering infrastructure behind the operation. Complex refits demand technical problem-solving, often in real-time, and the ability to execute solutions. Damen Yachting can handle complexity and has a proven track record in large-scale refits including the 74-metre Amels 242, SYNTHESIS, which is currently undergoing her five-year service, technical upgrade and full exterior respray.
"Our in-house engineering and proven track record with complex refit projects set us apart from other refit yards," notes Sarah Flavell, Marketing Manager at Damen Yachting. “Having everything under one roof, from naval architecture and mechanical engineering to skilled craftsmen and project management, means we can handle the most ambitious refits without compromise, with excellent quality control, clearer communication, and more predictable timelines."
Our Strategic Positioning
Damen Yachting exhibited alongside Damen Shiprepair and Damen Maaskant at METSTRADE 2025 in a united showcase of the Group's seamless spectrum of services and distinct expertise.
METSTRADE attracted over 20,000 marine industry professionals from more than 135 countries, a concentrated audience of Owners, Captains, naval architects, and project managers. Hall 8's new refit cluster created an environment particularly conducive to these substantive conversations. Rather than the casual browsing atmosphere of a typical trade show, this dedicated space fostered deeper engagement with serious prospects. For Damen Yachting, it provided the ideal platform to reference recent refit successes, tangible proof that the company doesn't just talk about capability but consistently delivers it.
For a yard with a portfolio of successes, face-to-face conversations at this scale are invaluable. Nothing replaces the opportunity to walk Clients through recent projects, discuss technical challenges that have been overcome, and to demonstrate the depth of expertise that sets one yard apart from another.
Refit
Ready to explore how Damen Yachting can transform your yacht? With 25 years of non-stop, first-class refit experience at the Netherlands’ largest superyacht hub, we’re a trusted partner for our own fleet and all other brands. From refit to rebuild and ongoing service, we help owners maintain, manage and elevate their dream.