Introducing Santa Maria T ReCraft Edition by Royal Balk Shipyard
by Royal Balk Shipyard 12 Nov 02:26 PST
Royal Balk Shipyard is proud to unveil the 36.8-metre Santa Maria T ReCraft™ Edition, developed in collaboration with Guido de Groot Design and brokerage partner Nauticon Yacht Services.
Santa Maria T ReCraft™ Edition is a ready-to-ReCraft™ vision for an existing explorer yacht, offering owners another route to a personalised vessel.
Guido de Groot Design, the original studio behind the Van der Valk explorer yacht, has developed a series of distinct design interpretations exclusively for transformation at Royal Balk Shipyard. Transforming Santa Maria T into a Royal Balk Shipyard ReCraft™ Edition could be completed within 12 months, depending on the final specification. While retaining considerable scope for individualisation, these concepts offer prospective owners the opportunity to acquire and ReCraft™ a bespoke like-new vessel for approximately €10,000,000.
This is significantly quicker and less expensive than commissioning a Dutch new build yacht, with the confidence of a proven explorer redeveloped with the craftsmanship and technical expertise the nation is renowned for at roughly 50% of the investment and in significantly less time than a comparable new build.
"A ReCraft™ project does not have to begin with an owner who already has a yacht," says Niels Lensen, Sales Director at Royal Balk Shipyard. "Santa Maria T shows how we can identify a strong existing platform, develop a clear vision for its transformation and offer that opportunity to someone who wants a yacht that is entirely their own."
Built by Van der Valk in 2015, Santa Maria T was first delivered to her original owner and has since only been used privately and meticulously maintained. Constructed in steel with an aluminium superstructure, she combines genuine ocean-going capability with exceptional comfort and interior volume. Her twin Volvo Penta D16 MH engines deliver 651 hp each, supported by two 55 kW generators. At cruising speed, with both generators running, total fuel consumption is approximately 90 litres per hour, an attractive proposition for an explorer yacht of this size.
The ReCraft™ Edition brings a serious aesthetic overhaul to these strong attributes. The exterior and interior concepts by Guido de Groot Design preserve Santa Maria T's purposeful explorer character while introducing distinct aesthetic directions. Her robust steel hull, flared bow and clean, straight lines provide the foundation for a more contemporary appearance, with variations in hull colour, superstructure finishes and upper-deck arrangements allowing prospective owners to select a design direction that reflects their individual preferences.
The possibilities also feature alternative flybridge configurations, ranging from open arrangements to more sheltered spaces. The proposed interior transformation follows a similarly considered approach, combining traditional architectural detailing with contemporary furnishings and a warm, understated palette.
Santa Maria T already offers facilities for carrying a Jet Ski and support tender. Further possibilities include a proposed stern extension and upgraded crane, which could increase her carrying capacity and provide additional flexibility for tenders, water toys and a swim platform extension to carry a U-Boat Works submersible. Depending on the future owner's requirements, these modifications could also create opportunities for a larger beach club and dedicated diving facilities, further enhancing her potential as an exploration yacht.
Working with carefully selected partners, Royal Balk Shipyard aims to remove many of the initial complexities associated with major yacht transformation projects, giving prospective owners a clearer understanding of the opportunity before committing to a project.
Importantly, these concepts are starting points rather than fixed designs. Each project can evolve around the future owner's ambitions, with considerable freedom to personalise the yacht's appearance, layout and onboard facilities.
By combining the inherent qualities of an established vessel with Royal Balk Shipyard's craftsmanship, technical expertise and design capabilities, ReCraft™ offers an alternative to commissioning a new build: one that can bring an exceptional yacht into a new era while making more considered use of the resources already invested in her construction.