About 16 months after it began in The Netherlands, the Broadwater refit is complete. The major transformation will let her American owner enjoy some time aboard close to home, before the yacht starts chartering.
When she arrived at Royal Huisman’s Huisfit in 2019, Broadwater bore the styling she had from launch (below), as Rasselas in 1994. After acquiring her in 2018, the owner wanted to make the 171-footer (52-meter) into a more modern-styled yacht. Further extensive changes would ensure she became a home away from land. “His vision was to breathe new life into this magnificent Feadship,” explains Peter Wilson of MCM Newport, the owner’s representative. “It quickly became apparent that this was an irresistible project.”
Having already redesigned yachts with Adam Voorhees Design, the owner turned to the California-based studio once again for the Broadwater refit. Voorhees himself penned the new exterior look, which saw Huisfit fabricate and add a 13-foot (4-meter) extension aft (below) plus a new transom design. The megayacht now has a beach club and more welcoming main aft deck.
The Broadwater refit involved restyling work on other decks, too. For instance, the radar mast and hardtop are entirely new, again to Voorhees’ design. Royal Huisman’s sister company Rondal made them primarily from carbon fiber to save weight. This especially impacts stability at such height. The new mast supports awnings when wanted. A stone’s throw away still on the same deck, Broadwater gained a bigger hot tub, a redesigned bar, plus a day head (an addition, since the sundeck lacked one previously).
For interior areas, Voorhees reimagined saloons and staterooms with lighter tones and textures to replace the original dark woods. Guest- and crew-traffic flows are charter-friendly, too. Furthermore, the crew areas received refreshed looks. Plus, all AV systems and the wheelhouse navigation and communications systems received upgrades. And, while guests won’t see them, an emergency genset and a misting fire-fighting system are onboard for modern class and flag-state requirements specific to commercial (a.k.a. charter) operations.
“The fine pedigree of this yacht has been respected and, dare I say, enhanced,” Wilson asserts. “I have little doubt that Broadwater’s new profile, interior, and myriad behind-the-scenes modifications and improvements will stand her in good stead for her next quarter century.”
Royal Huisman’s CEO, Jan Timmerman, agrees. “This is a very significant milestone for Huisfit and the result of great teamwork between the owner, Peter Wilson, the Broadwater crew, various partners, and the Huisfit team.”
The now-blue-hulled yacht is heading across the Atlantic. We’ll have more on the Broadwater refit in the coming weeks, including looks inside.
Adam Voorhees Design adamvoorhees.com
Huisfit huisfit.com
MCM Newport mcmnewport.com
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