Arrived at Balk Shipyard in Urk (The Netherlands) in 2022 for a complete rebuild, the 24-metre Acico M/Y Ursus, has just concluded a complete reimagining of its interior and exterior. For Dutch Balk Shipyard this work ended to be not only successful, but one of the most significant commissions ever completed. Balk Shipyard affixed new bow and stern sections, extending Ursus by six metres, converting the vessel into a 30.36-metre pocket explorer yacht.
Ursus was re-launched in January and has currently embarked on her sea trials in IJsselmeer, before being delivered to its owner in February.
Balk Shipyard worked in cooperation with Mulder Design and the owners team on the rebuild of M/Y Ursus, with the central objective of improving the vessels seakeeping performance and onboard living space. Mulder Design outlined a new naval architecture, penned the exterior design and will oversee the interior design and styling with the owners team.
“We have been honoured to be working with involved and passionate owners for this project. They are experienced yachtspeople who want to maximise the enjoyment they get from their vessel”, said Evan Kortmann, Chief Executive Officer at Balk Shipyard. “This is a dramatic rebuild and M/Y Ursus will not only leave larger than when she arrived, she will leave completely changed. Mulder Design has beautifully reimagined the vessel; it will be hard to believe this is the same yacht”.
“Both the bow and the stern are completely new extensions”, says Bas Mulder, Owner of Mulder Design. “Only the middle part of the yachts hull remained untouched. The superstructure has a 1-metre extension to create a larger salon and sundeck”.
“A rebuild is always a challenge”, says Jan Willem Frederikze, Naval Architect and Project Leader at Mulder Design. “Even more so if a yacht is taken from a CE (below 24 metres) to a Class vessel. This makes for a hybrid structure, hybrid layout and hybrid decision-making”.
The deck areas have also been overhauled and remapped. The upper deck has been extended to provide even more real estate for the owner and guests. And a new al fresco kitchen has been installed. Other work includes new wing stations and crane foundations, a renewed beach club, and numerous technical upgrades. With the new layout, there has been an increase in crew accommodation.
“Our focus on the exterior was to blend the motifications with the original design characteristics”, Mulder continues, “all to keep a cohered yacht”.
Balk Shipyard has a history of complex refits and rebuilds, with many extensions in its portfolio, developed over two centuries of shipbuilding. One key redelivery was the 16-month refit on the Feadship Emerald, which included a 3-metre stern extension.
Before & After
Over the past 18 months, Ursus underwent a remarkable transformation, blending modern functionality with timeless design. Key upgrades: include:
- Extended bow and stern, creating more space and a new seating area in the bow
- Relocated tender garage and a twin anchor system
- Advanced technical systems, like new diesel-electric pods, Veth Azimut drives, and seawater cooling
- Improved manoeuvrability with a Veth bow thruster and dynamic positioning
- FSC-certified teak decks and a striking Batumi Gold hull repaint
