Refit
Refit services cover the planned upgrade, repair and renewal works performed on an existing yacht, ranging from cosmetic interior updates to full structural rebuilds, repowering, lengthening and class-led major overhauls. Yards including Lürssen Refit, MB92, Pendennis, ICON Refit and Astilleros de Mallorca specialise in superyacht refit programmes.
What is a refit?
A refit is a planned programme of upgrade, repair, or renewal works carried out on an existing yacht. The scope ranges from a cosmetic interior refresh to a full structural rebuild, repower, or lengthening. Refits are typically defined by a written scope of work, a fixed yard period, and a contract that allocates risk between the owner and the yard for delays, cost overruns, and warranty.
At the lighter end, a refit may cover paint, soft furnishings, audio-visual upgrades, and routine class survey items completed within a four-to-six-week winter yard period. At the heavier end, a refit can involve removing the superstructure, inserting a hull section to lengthen the yacht, replacing the main engines, or rebuilding the interior to a new general arrangement. Class-led refits, driven by the five-yearly special survey, fall in the middle of this range and combine major class inspections with discretionary owner works.
Leading refit yards include Lurssen Refit, MB92 (Barcelona and La Ciotat), Pendennis, ICON Refit, Astilleros de Mallorca, and Damen Yachting. Yard selection is driven by dock capacity, location relative to the cruising programme, in-house trade depth, and the yard's track record on similar tonnages. Owner's project managers and naval architects are typically engaged independently of the yard to protect the owner's interest during the works.
Why it matters for yacht owners
Refits are the principal lever owners have to extend the working life of a yacht, modernise its systems, and protect resale value against newer competition on the market. A well-executed refit can return a 15-year-old yacht to a presentation standard close to that of a recent build, often at a fraction of the cost of replacement. Conversely, deferred refits typically compound: postponed paint becomes structural repair, postponed systems work becomes class non-conformity, and the eventual scope and cost rise sharply.
Key facts
- Scope ranges from cosmetic refresh to structural rebuild, repower, or lengthening.
- Leading yards include Lurssen Refit, MB92, Pendennis, ICON Refit, Astilleros de Mallorca, and Damen Yachting.
- Typically scheduled around the five-yearly class special survey.
- Yard periods range from four-to-six weeks (winter service) to 12-to-24 months (major rebuild).
- Owner's project manager and naval architect are typically retained independently of the yard.
- Contracts allocate risk for delay, cost overrun, and warranty between owner and yard.
- Well-executed refits protect resale value against newer market entries.
- Deferred refit scope typically compounds and raises the eventual cost.
Explore Refit Services
View moreFAQ
How much does a superyacht refit cost?
Refit cost varies by scope, yard, and yacht size. a light winter service on a 40-metre yacht may run in the low single-digit millions of euros, a class-led mid-refit on a 50-metre yacht typically reaches mid-to-high single-digit millions, and a full rebuild or lengthening on a 70-metre yacht can exceed the original new-build cost. Owners typically budget a contingency of 15 to 25 per cent above the contracted scope to cover discoveries once the yacht is opened up.
How long does a refit take?
A winter service refit is typically completed within four to six weeks. A class-led mid-refit covering the five-yearly special survey usually runs three to six months. A major rebuild involving repower, lengthening, or substantial general-arrangement changes can occupy the yacht for 12 to 24 months. Refits are typically planned around the Mediterranean off-season so the yacht returns to service before the summer charter or owner programme begins in May.
Which yard should I choose for a refit?
Yard selection depends on dock capacity for the yacht's beam and draft, geographic proximity to the cruising programme, in-house trade depth, and the yard's record on similar tonnages. MB92 in Barcelona and La Ciotat dominates the Mediterranean refit market. Pendennis and ICON Refit serve the Northern European market. Lurssen Refit handles the largest tonnages. Astilleros de Mallorca and Damen Yachting cover a broad mid-range. Owner's representatives typically tender the work to two or three shortlisted yards before contracting.
What is the difference between a refit and a repair?
A repair restores a specific item to its original specification following damage, wear, or failure. A refit is a planned programme covering multiple items, typically including discretionary upgrades alongside scheduled class and maintenance work. Repairs may be carried out at any yard or by mobile contractors; refits are contracted to a single yard under a defined scope and timeline. The two overlap when a class survey reveals defects that require corrective work, which is then folded into the wider refit programme.
The Superyacht Partners
For any owner, the choice of who will be personally in charge of your relationship with Superyacht Partners, is just as important as the company and the team as a whole. With extensive experience in managing, operating, and building superyachts, our team excels in all aspects of yacht brokerage. We offer comprehensive legal, commercial, and operational expertise, ensuring every angle of the sale, purchase, and operation is meticulously evaluated.
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