Massive refit at The Boat Works - 52m expedition superyacht JeMaSa
by The Boat Works 17 Jun 23:27 PDT
The 52-metre expedition yacht, JeMaSa has completed her major in-water refit and refinishing works at The Boat Works after a year-long, multi-million-dollar refit program that involved the complete redesign and installation of its interiors and an exterior overhaul.
The one-of-a-kind charter yacht was the first of the vessels to dock in the new undercover, on-water facility, The Watersheds, for major refit and Project Manager and owner's representative, Captain Juan Koegelenberg said it was crucial to meeting the strict delivery deadline.
"There are two charters booked in French Polynesia and we were committed to getting JeMaSa ready to return to service," he added.
Securely sheltered beneath The Boat Works Watersheds in her own individual 100-metre-long chute, JeMaSa was easily accessible and enclosed by a surrounding scaffold rig. Crane access was smooth, and the extra wide pontoons supported equipment such as the painters and their gear for JeMaSa's re-finishing works from dark grey to a fresh, bright white superstructure and light grey hull.
"Without the in-water sheds at The Boat Works, staying on track with our timeline would have been impossible," Juan confirmed. "The watersheds provided protection from the heat and rain, especially over summer, and convenience for trades and deliveries. When Cyclone Alfred was bearing down on the Gold Coast, we were undercover, with the vessel protected and once given the all clear, work resumed without missing a beat.
"The Watersheds are a total game-changer for The Boat Works and Australia's marine refit industry."
The head-turning superyacht was launched in 1973 as HMAS Matthew Flinders, an Australian Navy Survey Vessel which was repurposed in 2007 by her previous owners as a luxury private superyacht called Plan B.
The boat boasts an impressive 10-metre beam and volume of 746 gross tonnes, making her a true giant in the global arena.
It features expansive decks, a huge garage for watertoys and tenders, and a helipad, making it the ideal platform for conversion to a luxury go-anywhere superyacht.
"It's well-built and well-maintained," Juan explained. "The steel hull is10-millimetres throughout and there was no corrosion."
Her current owner had a specific vision for JeMaSa, named after his three children, and the extensive refit involved its total transformation.
In charge was Captain Juan Koegelenberg, Director of Liquid Yacht Support, who has worked with the owner for 20 years over several vessels, including 63-metre MY SuRi.
"In my 32 years in the industry, this is the largest, most challenging refit in the shortest time frame," Juan stated of the project which began in April 2024 and has finished with the relaunch scheduled for May 2025, ahead of the finishing touch - installation of a 2-metre swim platform at Harwoods, Yamba.
"The refit gave continuous employment to dozens of marine contractors and small businesses on the Gold Coast and Brisbane," continued Juan.
"The project involved stripping the vessel back to bare metal, followed by a complete overhaul that included a fresh exterior respray and a comprehensive redesign led by a naval architect to ensure compliance with Class and Flag regulations."
"The next step was fabrication of interior spaces. All six guest cabins and social spaces, halls, bathrooms were impacted and required new fit out and furnishings, flooring, glazing and lighting to convert it to a 5-star global cruising motor yacht for the charter market."
On deck, an enclosed "glass house" with sliding doors at bridge deck level was created by the glazing experts onsite at The Boat Works; Integ Marine Windows, who also replaced the windows with larger format glazing for more light and panoramic views.
"The on-site trades were exceptional," Juan added. "It was a huge job, so we assigned each level to a different company and they all excelled. From cabinetry and shipwrights, through to interior naval architects, designers, joinery and bespoke furniture specialists were in charge of the cabins and lower deck spaces.
"The quality of workmanship is second to none."
Ahead of the project, Liquid Yacht Support purchased all the materials the various trades and craftspeople would need in order to maintain a steady flow of materials and keep to the timeline. Juan stored them at his X-plorer Yachts' facility, where he is Director, overseeing the build of JeMaSa's 13.7-metre chase boat, called Jewel.
Now the refit odyssey has been conquered, JeMaSa is a sight to behold.
"The owner made one visit during the refit, and he called every day and was kept informed at every stage via Zoom and email," Juan recounted. "We have a 20-year relationship and my Chief Engineer has been with me for 19 years, so there is a strong bond of trust there.
"Crucial to the project was the professionalism and expertise of the marine trades, and suppliers in the Gold Coast Marine Precinct and The Watersheds, which was a tremendous help to meet our deadline."
Roxy Trass, Chief Stewardess on JeMaSa joined the vessel in January 2025. With 10 years' charter experience in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, Roxy jumped at the chance to return to Australia to crew aboard the country's most distinctive charter yacht.
"Including the Captain, there are 13 crew at the moment, and we will have up to 20 by the time we're fully operational," Roxy reported. "Since January, I've watched the refit take shape and the changes have been amazing!
"There are contractors buzzing all over the boat, and we're looking forward to heading out to the open ocean and seeing new places," she said of their upcoming itineraries.
Spending many months on-site at The Boat Works has been really very pleasant, according to Roxy.
"The staff at The Boat Works are super-friendly, and nothing's a problem. When we didn't have power, I would work over at the Captains' Lounge. Even at night, the yard is very safe. We get our coffee and snacks from the three onsite cafés every day, and we've had a few crew barbecues under the watersheds, a great location to work - stay and network.
"The convenience of The Boat Works free laundries and courtesy cars is brilliant and it's great being close to the major shopping centres for provisioning."
During their stay, Roxy and her partner have explored the region, driving up to the Gold Coast's Hinterland and Scenic Rim for a dose of nature, including a visit to the sandy beaches of Byron Bay, Brisbane and the local attractions along the beachfront from Surfers Paradise.
"Having all the expert marine trades on-site, plus an outstanding chandlery stocked with everything we need, makes The Boat Works a true one-stop destination for any vessel."
The Boat Works' owner, Tony Longhurst commented, "Superyachts visiting The Boat Works for maintenance and refit are a major boon to the Gold Coast - to the small businesses in the marine precinct, as well as the broader community in terms of tourism and provisioning.
"The Boat Works is a beacon for these large superyachts; an oasis for 5-star service and the laid-back lifestyle the Gold Coast is renowned for. We are proud that JeMaSa chose The Watersheds for what was a comprehensive refit and look forward to welcoming back the boat and crew on their next service period."
www.theboatworks.com.au