Refit of J-Class HANUMAN at Holterman

The owner of the J-Class sailing yacht, Hanuman, the yacht crew, and the representative concurred that Holterman in the Netherlands should refurbish Hanuman, demonstrating the impressive skills of this modest shipyard in Meppel. While the shipyard primarily specializes in constructing new-build motor yachts, it has successfully carried out refurbishment projects in the past, covering not just its designs but also, for instance, a 30-meter motor yacht.

Hanuman reached the Netherlands by April, having been unrigged and meticulously loaded onto a transport barge. She then made her way to Holterman’s Meppel yard, marking the start of an extensive program of repairs and improvements.

Hanuman gets a new teak deck, air conditioning system, fridge, freezer, and upgraded hydraulic system. The yard will also replace interior floor soles, move deck hardware to new positions, varnish wood elements, and paint the underwater body and topside.

The shipyard has made minor building changes to accommodate the 42.19-meter yacht. The initial phase of the renovation involves removing the rudder, 500 pieces of deck equipment, and the old deck completely to expose the bare aluminum.

Two crucial elements will bolster the effectiveness of the renovation. The first is the internal expertise that is directly applicable to the project since Wedzinga, along with several other individuals from the Holterman team, possess firsthand experience with Hanuman. This experience comes from either competing with her as a crew member or from their engagement with the initial design and building of the yacht.

“I think the Hanuman project will surprise a lot of people because it’s not what Holterman is known for, but I think it really shows our flexibility, says Tim Wedzinga, Refit Manager at Holterman Shipyard. “We never say no, and we will always find solutions to accommodate a project. And Hanuman will really stand as an example of the skills we have not only within Holterman in terms of craftspeople, but also in terms of coordinating a complex project with minimal fuss while ensuring maximum quality.”