The world of luxury yachts is one of unparalleled sophistication, where engineering excellence meets refined aesthetics. These towering vessels, designed for ultimate comfort and performance, require regular refits to maintain their beauty and functionality. However, beneath the glossy exteriors and the promise of pristine finishes lies a complicated and challenging process, especially when it comes to the paintwork.

Yacht refits are demanding undertakings that blend art and science, and while much attention is given to the final result, it’s the work along the way dealing with the issues that arise that is of paramount importance.

As someone who has spent decades immersed in the marine coatings industry, I’ve seen first-hand how recurring issues continue to hinder yacht refit projects. Time and again the same problems arise: miscommunications, poorly set-out expectations and rushed decisions, all of which compromise the final result. These issues, often overlooked by those at the helm of these projects, may not always be visible on the surface, but they so often lead to significant setbacks down the line.

One of the biggest issues is the lack of clear, consistent communication.

Coatings consultant Rory Marshall

Not learning from our mistakes
The most frustrating aspect of refit projects is when the same issues resurface over and over again. These are not trivial mistakes but systemic failures that could easily be avoided with better planning and foresight. Two main factors lie at the heart of these recurring challenges: poor communication and unrealistic expectations.

One of the biggest issues is the lack of clear, consistent communication. A yacht may arrive at a shipyard with the assumption that all aspects of the refit have been thoroughly discussed and agreed upon. However, it’s not uncommon for the paint team to receive last-minute changes or contradictory instructions that completely derail the project.

What begins as a simple misunderstanding often snowballs into confusion, panic and rushed decision-making. Details are missed, deadlines are compressed, and instead of a polished project, the result is often one of hasty damage limitation. This poor communication compromises the quality of the work and leads to delays and cost overruns.

Equally problematic are the unrealistic timelines set for yacht refit projects. Yacht owners, designers and project managers often expect flawless high-end finishes in an unreasonably short period. The reality, however, is that achieving a high-quality paint job requires meticulous attention to detail. The process includes surface preparation, thorough cleaning, masking, applying several layers of material and respecting the correct curing times. Cutting corners on any of these critical steps to meet an approaching deadline is a recipe for failure.

A rushed job may be accepted in the short term but, over time, the flaws will inevitably surface. The cost of rushing is often greater than that of allowing sufficient time for proper preparation and application.

Similarly, given that coating materials are a small part of the overall coating project cost, it’s a false economy to compromise in this area. Material selection should be optimised around the operational profile of the vessel and the total intended in-service period.

A perfect storm: misaligned priorities and unrealistic expectations
Perhaps the most significant issue in yacht refits is a misalignment of priorities between the desire to get the vessel back into service in a timely fashion and a sufficiently comprehensive job of work to deliver the anticipated result. A ‘scratch and shoot’ reapplication of topcoat is an attractive proposition to meet a short time-line that may not fit all refit scenarios.

You may have heard of the saying ‘You could have it good, fast and cheap but you can’t have all three’. This is especially true in refit.

On top of that there’s the age-old problem that before the refit, the relatively low gloss of the old topcoat conceals areas of unfairness and other defects that will become obvious when fresh gloss is applied. The final nail in the coffin is that there’s seldom less corrosion to be addressed than initially anticipated … and almost always more.

The road to redemption: a pathway forward
Despite these challenges, there’s scope for improvement in the yacht refit arena. Addressing the issues requires a fundamental shift in how projects are managed, particularly in terms of communication, process and timelines. Here are three key principles that can help turn the tide towards better outcomes:

1. Communication is key
Clear and consistent communication is crucial throughout the refit process. Everyone involved, from the yacht owner’s team, project manager and shipyard, must have a shared understanding of the project goals and technical requirements. Sharing progress reports and related documentation with regular check-ins is essential. By ensuring that the entire team is on the same page from start to finish, the likelihood of success is increased.

2. Good understanding is essential
Another critical step towards improvement is ensuring that all stakeholders are better informed of the importance of high-quality materials and proper surface preparation. By taking the time to understand the science behind marine coatings and the specific demands of the marine environment, the yacht owner‘s team can make more informed decisions that will ensure the durability and longevity of the paintwork.

3. Realistic timelines and budgets
You may have heard of the saying ‘You could have it good, fast and cheap but you can’t have all three’. This is especially true in refit. Accordingly, the owner’s team must decide which two they will choose as priorities in their project and share this objective with the shipyard.

Conclusion: Success is possible, but only with patience
The yacht refit industry faces continuing challenges, but with the right approach, these obstacles can be overcome. By improving communication, educating all parties about the importance of process, and setting realistic expectations for timelines and budgets, we can make advances. While technology will continue to play an important role, the foundation of a successful refit still lies in craftsmanship, expertise and a commitment to quality.

Achieving excellence in yacht refits is not a single step, but a journey that requires patience, careful planning and respect for the complexities involved. Only by committing to get it right can we ensure that the future of yacht refits remains bright.

This article first appeared in The Superyacht Report – Refit Focus. With our open-source policy, it is available to all until the end of November by following this link, so read and download the latest issue and any of our previous issues in our library.

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