Balk Shipyard completes main 31m Ursus rebuild
Balk Shipyard has delivered Ursus, a 30.4-metre “pocket explorer,” following an 18-month complete rebuild accomplished on the yard in Urk, the Netherlands. The refit concluded with Ursus’s preliminary launch in January 2025, and he or she underwent sea trials on the IJsselmeer in February earlier than being handed to her proprietor.
The mission started when Ursus arrived at Balk in 2022 and was executed in collaboration with Dutch studio Mulder Design. The rebuild expanded the yacht’s capabilities and onboard areas whereas retaining her explorer character, marking a major ReCraft fee for the yard.
Six-metre hull extension, new bow, stern and superstructure
Structural work included a brand new bow and stern that prolonged the vessel’s general size by six metres; Ursus was beforehand a sub‑24‑metre Acico construct. The hull extension was paired with an extended superstructure to extend inside quantity for the primary saloon, sundeck and seaside membership, and the yacht was repainted in a metallic Lantau Gold end to match a brand new Vary Rover livery.
Different exterior and lodging modifications comprised an higher deck extension, an al fresco kitchen, new wing stations and bolstered crane foundations, plus a two‑tiered seaside membership that includes an open higher degree and waterside seating beneath. The revised structure additionally provides an additional crew cabin and improves crew areas, together with an en suite within the captain’s cabin.
Diesel-electric propulsion, DP system and upgraded bridge
To accommodate the longer hull and optimise efficiency, Ursus acquired a number of technical upgrades. The yacht was fitted with a diesel‑electrical propulsion system, Veth Azimut drives and a dynamic positioning (DP) system, and her bridge was comprehensively modernised to assist the brand new techniques and operational profile.
Useful modifications to the deckplan assist her proprietor’s use profile: the unique tender crane was moved to the prolonged sundeck, which now hosts a helm station, barbecue, Teppanyaki grill and house for 2 Jet Skis, whereas the tender storage was relocated from the ahead space to the aft, releasing the foredeck for an al fresco cocktail space.
Ursus rebuild showcases Balk’s ReCraft experience and future
Evan Kortmann, CEO of Balk Shipyard, described Ursus as “fully remodeled from bow to stern,” noting that the mission displays the shipyard’s refined strategy to advanced ReCraft work and the outcomes potential when an proprietor presents a transparent transient and companions with a design studio akin to Mulder Design. Ursus demonstrates Balk’s capability to combine structural, lodging and technical upgrades in a single programme.
With Ursus delivered, Balk Shipyard is progressing on its subsequent main mission, the 44.3‑metre crusing yacht Yemaya, scheduled for supply in 2026. The Ursus rebuild each consolidates Balk’s ReCraft credentials and alerts the yard’s continued concentrate on technically refined refits and new‑construct deliveries.
This text has been sourced from press releases and cross-referenced with a number of trusted web sites. Info initially seen at Supply together with different Sources. Pictures are credited to Man Fleury. Whereas efforts have been made to make sure accuracy, readers are inspired to confirm particulars independently.
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