Are you ready to take on an ocean crossing? How to refit and maintain a bluewater yacht

In 2012 I purchased a uncared for 15-year-old Hallberg-Rassy 46 which had stood ashore unsold for a few years. She was robust, however had been considerably deserted – sails nonetheless furled, and an inside that appeared as if the homeowners had simply walked away.

Even cooking spices had been left within the cabinet. The teak deck regarded horrible, having been liked to loss of life by high-pressure jet washing and scrubbing. The boat appeared unsellable, whereas I noticed a possible for a refit.

Round that point many very ready shipwrights and boat technicians had been made redundant. As soon as the 46 was purchased, it was trucked to Sweden for an entire refit simply adjoining to Hallberg-Rassy in Ellös. Right here, a free ‘yard’ was fashioned by many particular person one-man corporations, every run by laid-off boatbuilders and marine specialists. My Hallberg-Rassy 46, Regina Laska, would turn out to be simply the primary of many boats to bear a flourishing wave of refits by these expert tradesmen.

Finally this collective developed into Adams Boat Care AB. Quickly, the yard had a worldwide fame and yachts sailed from throughout Europe, the USA, and even New Zealand to get refitted by specialists there. At one stage no fewer than six HR46s had been being refitted concurrently, repeating the method of what we had executed to my Regina Laska.

My Hallberg-Rassy has since been used extensively for six months annually, offering RYA sail coaching from April to October and crusing 5,000 miles yearly. The yacht is wanting pretty much as good as ever, now getting into our thirteenth crusing season after the preliminary main refit. The method has by no means really come to a halt, nonetheless, as an alternative persevering with every winter with a radical boat ‘spa therapy’.

Refit vs New?

Selecting whether or not to purchase new or second-hand within the first place isn’t solely a query of price range. Whereas 15 years in the past, new boats had been broadly much like these out there on the second-hand market, since then cruising boats have undergone a revolution in design: twin rudders, vast transoms, deep keels and nearly vertical hull sides, close to non-existent overhangs to maximise waterline size, and lighter, brighter interiors. As Magnus Rassy put it: “Now you can refit as a lot as you want, Leon, however you’ll by no means have the ability to change the hull form and efficiency of the outdated fashions!”

How true! Previous boats can’t compete with new. As a substitute, they appeal to several types of sailors. Most yards observe the development of voluminous, vast and light-weight hulls for brand new designs that are enjoyable to sail, particularly downwind on a high-quality day with flat seas.

But when a sailor prefers a traditional hull form with a single rudder, seakindly traits with a deep V-shaped hull chopping by way of the waves, and cabinets for stowage as an alternative of home windows within the hull, you’d in all probability be typical of homeowners seeking to purchase older, and refit.

‘After 10 years a correct refit schedule turns into a necessity’. Picture: Regina Crusing

Having beforehand purchased two new Hallberg-Rassys I additionally actually loved the method of proudly owning a model new boat. From a upkeep standpoint, it was an enormous acquire. After preliminary guarantee hiccups we had a fairly trouble-free first 10 cruising years with not way more to do than some antifouling, hull sharpening and following tools producers’ upkeep suggestions.

9 years, two Atlantic crossings, and 25,000 miles after taking supply, my Hallberg-Rassy 40 and all her authentic tools – together with sails, engine and electronics – had been nonetheless in good condition. The homeowners who purchased her had been on the lookout for a ship not older than 10 years of age: promoting a nine-year-old boat was straightforward. After roughly 10 years issues do change, and that’s when a correct refitting schedule turns into a necessity.

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Rolling refurb

After the preliminary refit in 2012/13, Regina Laska has been repeatedly refurbished and refitted annually, first at Adams Boat Care in Sweden and since 2019 at Marina Coruña, Spain. She is now 28 years outdated and has possible sailed nicely over 100,000 miles, but is in a greater state than ever.

Quoting my very own figures from the Yachting World August 2013 challenge, I initially purchased the boat for €180,000 in Italy, had her trucked to Sweden for €20,000 and refitted for €320,000, giving a complete value of €520,000 12 years in the past.

New tools which was added in 2013 has behaved very equally to tools on new boats. For the primary 10 years, normal upkeep and common service was all that was wanted. Studying the manuals fastidiously provides good hints on methods to take care of your tools.

Getting ready to strip off the antifouling and epoxy a second time after 2013. Picture: Regina Crusing

However after nearly 50,000 miles some objects at the moment are on their second spherical of replacements, such because the sails, fridge/freezer, through-hull fittings, navigation tools, anchor windlass, the washer, navigation lights and batteries.

Commercially classed boats for sail coaching and skippered constitution should adjust to an annual inspection following the stringent guidelines of MGN280 by the MCA. These don’t have to be adopted by leisure sailors, however they do give an excellent trace on what breaks when.

Making a easy spreadsheet with time intervals for deliberate upkeep is value its weight in gold, particularly when planning winter work annually. Preserving a refit logbook to trace if you did what not solely helps handle the method, but in addition will increase the worth of your boat when you promote. One other tip is to write down the yr and month of an improve immediately onto that piece of kit.

Yearly sharpening the repainted well-known HR blue stripes. Picture: Regina Crusing

Steady prices

Possession prices rise considerably with yacht dimension, not solely relating to mooring and winter storage but in addition relating to refitting. If every metre in size typically doubles the worth of a brand new boat, then annual refit prices typically observe the identical steep upward curve.

In my expertise, an excellent rule of thumb is you want to make investments 10% of the boat’s worth a yr to maintain it in an excellent state. You don’t must spend the complete 10% yearly, however as a median. So everytime you purchase a ship, preserve that 10% behind your thoughts as the acquisition value can have a big effect in your ongoing price range. This 10% is solely the working prices which you’ll possible by no means get again the day you promote. It’s the worth of proudly owning it.

When budgeting ongoing refits, it is smart to differentiate between refurbishing, updating, and upgrading. Refurbishment means present tools is serviced, cleaned, varnished or polished. Updating means changing like for like, or the same piece of kit, typically following a strict schedule, usually after 10 years. Upgrades are sometimes much less mandatory enhancements for pleasure, security, practicality or aesthetics.

Prep work for the Coppercoat. Picture: Regina Crusing

I’ve spent a median of €57,000 yearly on refits, together with lifting, launching, dropping/restepping the mast, and 6 months annually of indoor winter storage (so barely greater than 10% of the unique €520,000 value). Some has been spent refurbishing and updating to keep up the worth of the boat, different bills had been upgrades to probably enhance the worth – at the least to me – or enhance the boat’s security, consolation or look.

12 years of upkeep

Through the authentic refit, sharpening the hull and laying a substitute teak deck made Regina Laska look model new – some individuals even requested if Hallberg-Rassy had relaunched their earlier mannequin. However quickly sufficient, teak fades to a sublime silvery-grey. Half a yr later, the deck nonetheless regarded good, however not new any longer. One aesthetic improve remains to be as stunning and efficient as ever: the inside lighting. After 12 years the LEDs are as luminous as when fitted. It by no means fails to shock each me and my company what an excellent first impression good lighting makes.

Because the boat approached 20 years outdated some objects started to age. The unique sturdy diesel heaters grew to become unreliable fairly quickly after the refit, and had been changed in 2014 with new eco-friendly electronically managed Webasto heaters.

They had been delicate, nonetheless, giving an digital error code claiming the glow plug was faulty, which made no sense. After months of experimenting I discovered it occurred every time the compressors of the equally outdated and durable fridge and freezer began concurrently. The issue was solved by changing the fridge/freezers with equally fashionable models.

Completed Coppercoat on hull and Propspeed on the propeller. Picture: Regina Crusing

The boat was re-powered in 2018, downsizing from 100hp to a a lot smaller Volvo-Penta D2-75, which is a Perkins beneath. I wished to keep away from a typical rail engine with electronics, and undoubtedly didn’t need a automotive engine which had been ‘marinised’.

The one digital system on this D2-75 is the MDI-box for beginning and stopping the engine. This contemporary 75hp engine has a lot torque, much less vibration, much less weight, is quieter, and makes use of much less gas, which implies that the brand new engine provides a spread of 1,000 miles of motoring (5lt/hr in 7 knots with a brand new Flexofold 22×16 three-blade propeller). The smaller engine allowed house for an Aquadrive versatile coupling, the shaft now pushing the boat through a separate bulkhead as an alternative of by way of the engine’s mounting toes, minimising vibrations even additional.

The bow thruster was exchanged at 25 years of age, changed in 2023 with an similar mannequin. The Whitlock steering system was eliminated after 27 years of heavy use in 2024, taken aside and despatched to Lewmar for an entire rebuild. I used to be impressed that Lewmar nonetheless makes these components and even had them in inventory so they may do a really fast turn-around service in England.

The home windows within the hardtop are a recognized weak level on older Hallberg-Rassys, the place giant home windows can crack after some 20 years. They had been modified final yr earlier than they may break.

Hardtop repainted and all home windows changed with new aluminium frames, handmade by the identical one that initially made them in 1996. Picture: Regina Crusing

Not a lot of the factory-fitted tools from 1997 remains to be onboard after nearly 30 years of intensive crusing – although we nonetheless carry the unique Lewmar Ocean winches, and authentic mast, growth and spreaders.

Gadgets which have lasted nicely from the unique refit embrace the mattresses and fabric – to my shock as I assumed I’d have to switch them extra often. Because of the top quality chosen in 2013, they’re introduced again to their authentic magnificence by skilled steam cleansing each spring.

I carry spare components for the Jabsco electrical bogs (2013), however have to date not wanted to do way more than change the joker valves yearly. That is spectacular, given we sail with company for six months of every yr. The SOLAS-A liferaft appears to have an indefinite lifespan as nicely, so long as it’s inspected yearly, stays air-proof and has key components changed in accordance with schedule.

Refitting traditional yachts has turn out to be en vogue. Marina Coruña has developed a significant refit centre in southern Biscay. Picture: Regina Crusing

Changed objects

Regardless of our greatest efforts throughout the principle refit in 2012, some objects have been disappointing and wanted to get replaced a second time, although it’s value noting that a few of these are the skipper’s personal fault! I can’t blame anybody apart from myself for working the washer whereas motoring, not interested by the truth that the spinning forces are big even within the slightest of swell. It’s all the way down to me that it didn’t work ‘as supposed’ and had to get replaced in 2019.

One other substitute as a consequence of a mishap was the anchor snubber breaking whereas anchoring throughout a gale in heavy waves. Half the night time we held on the windlass alone, which isn’t made for taking such hundreds. The shaft bent and it was prudent to switch the windlass fully after 10 years of service in 2022. A series stopper has been added to keep away from this taking place once more, plus a sturdier snubber.

One other disappointment was the autopilot. Furuno is the clear chief in sonar and radar expertise, and presents a quick and correct satellite-based heading sensor. It has a really nice interface made by MaxSea and is state-of-the-art for superyachts, fishing boats and different skilled customers.

Turnbuckles had been modified after 25 years. Picture: Regina Crusing

However in my view there’s one self-discipline it’s not main in and that’s steering a crusing boat. We as an alternative added a Raymarine Evolution pilot with an ACU 400 and EV1, which I really feel steers like a professional ocean racer, giving counter rudder lengthy earlier than the boat begins to vary heading in heavy waves.

One other disappointment was the through-hulls which I proudly modified from brass (which most yards use today) to superior bronze. Many bronze through-hulls are very robust, however proved not a lot better than their brass counterparts relating to the transferring components inside. The valves grew to become troublesome to maneuver, and at last seized up and broke. I bought so indignant with them that I modified each one after simply eight years, with a model that promised a 40-year lifetime (Trudesign product of composite materials).

In 2012 I assumed I used to be good to purchase a cut price generator that had been laying round a workshop for seven years. Not solely was it fairly quaint, but it surely was far too giant for my boat so the sound-shield didn’t match and we had fixed niggles with it. It was changed with an Onan 6kW by Cummins.

The rig was up to date with new sheaves, pins and shackles, in addition to all blocks and Spinlock clutches after 10 years of service. Picture: Regina Crusing

The antifouling labored as supposed – so long as it was out there. When the final tin of paint had offered out in each chandlery I contacted, in 2021 I opted to take away all of the antifouling of the earlier years, together with the epoxy that had been redone in 2013. The boat was once more sanded all the way down to the naked gelcoat (by hand in Spain).

On high of recent solvent-free epoxy we added Coppercoat which, appropriately utilized, is incredible. It does appeal to some delicate slime which must be wiped off, however will be simply executed whereas swimming or diving. After a few seasons of re-activating it by sanding ever so frivolously annually, it made sense to use one other new coat on high to be on the protected facet this season. Problematic fouling on the propeller was lastly solved through the use of Propspeed in 2021, which must be re-applied each 2-3 years.

Common upkeep

Coming as much as my thirteenth season in 2025, the life-span of some tools has handed since that first refit and has subsequently additionally been changed. Many Hallberg-Rassys with an exterior lead keel (Frers designs) have a versatile sealant between the hull and keel, which is a good suggestion to switch each 4 years.

Navigation and communication tools is a key space to price range for updates as expertise improves. Picture: Regina Crusing

In 2020, after seven years and 33,000 miles, I assumed it might be well timed to vary the mainsail and genoa to similar Elvstrom sails product of Hydranet fabric, however with a tri-radial minimize. The one argument I had with Elvstrom was that they discovered that my sails would final for at the least one other 10,000 miles and I had modified prematurely.

Standing and working rigging (stays and shrouds plus 356m of strains) is modified frequently. The schedule I observe is after each 10 years or 30,000 miles, which is confirmed by Seldén, my insurance coverage firm, famend riggers, and never the least the MGN280 guidelines I’ve to observe for crusing commercially.

In 2022 the turnbuckles had been modified to new bronze (after 25 years), and I additionally modified the electrical Furlex 400E a second time. The brand new mannequin (Mk2) has a worm drive and wishes no service not like the earlier belt-driven mannequin that wanted to be despatched to Seldén for a rebuild each couple of years. I additionally swapped to a brand new mainsheet traveller, new kicker and a number of new sheaves, pins and shackles, in addition to all blocks and Spinlock clutches after 10 years of service since 2013. It’s simply one thing it’s a must to do if you sail loads and don’t want to wait till the mast falls down.

Storing the boat indoors permits for dry and quick access to service, polish and polish; the cabin sole boards had been restored to their authentic magnificence. Picture: Regina Crusing

The cutlass bearing for the engine shaft and the decrease rudder bearings are different objects that frequently have to be modified after years of wear and tear and tear. The decrease rudder bearing was modified in 2019 (approx. 10 years) and the cutlass bearing each 5 years.

Different objects on their second spherical after 12 years in service are the dinghy (new AB 9.5 this yr), new outboard (once more Yamaha), batteries (upgraded to Lithium after 5 years of AGM), new VHF (Icom 605), 10 new lifejackets (at all times by Spinlock), a brand new gasoline range (now upgraded to GN Espace), changing the Magma BBQ on aft deck, EPIRBs and hearth extinguishers (together with Lithex by AVD in opposition to Lithium fires and Sea-Hearth for the engine room).

Journey-ready off Corryvreckan, Scotland. Picture: Regina Crusing

The annual updates of the Cat1 medical package by MSOS isn’t low cost and the principle engine will get a significant service each 3-4 years or 3,000 hours, for example checking the injection valves, changing the exhaust elbow, changing the rubber cushions/toes and refurbishing the turbo. I’m relying on a lifespan of round 15,000 hours for the D2-75, if it’s frequently used and nicely maintained.

Fridge and freezer compressors had been modified a second time after 10 years of steady working, simply to be on the protected facet (in 2023) and the home water pumps are modified each 5 years for a similar cause. Consuming water hoses are modified each 15 years. Bilge alarm sensors misplaced their reliability after 12 years and had been changed and the handbook bilge pump must be rebuilt with new gaskets each 10 years. These are time- or mileage-critical factors that have to be refitted frequently, however not all homeowners observe such a prudent schedule.

I’ve additionally made some enhancements by alternative. Navigation tools has been upgraded with a much bigger plotter capable of deal with greater than 100 AIS-targets, and I now have a solid-state broadband radar. Aesthetic upgrades embrace new curtains and cockpit cushions, higher interchangeable pink and white deck lights and navigation lights exhibiting red-over-green by Lopolight, all managed by CZone.

Find it irresistible, preserve it

Regina Laska is approaching 30 years of age and is confirmed to have been nicely constructed with none compromises by a famend yard. She appears more likely to preserve crusing for at the least the remainder of my very own lifetime.

Fairly like a relationship, when you fall in love with a ship, there’s each cause on the earth to proceed investing in it with the intention to preserve it as stunning because it has at all times been.

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