Samurai To Be Given A New Lease of Life
Royal Huisman is delighted to announce that it has been commissioned to undertake the conversion of the famous 42m carbon composite offshore racer Mari Cha IV. To be re-commissioned as Samurai the conversion will be carried out by Royal Huisman’s Huisfit division in Vollenhove for an experienced yachtsman wishing to add cruising amenity to the original sailing performance. The client’s mission statement to Royal Huisman was that Samurai must be beautiful, stealthy looking, very fast, elegantly comfortable, technologically advanced and unforgettable to sail.
Designed by Philippe Briand and Greg Elliot, the 42m Mari Cha IV was launched by JMV Industries in 2003 and was the largest— and fastest—racing boat afloat at the time. She is capable of speeds of over 40 knots and smashed the West to East Transatlantic record in 2003, making the crossing in less than seven days. In 2005, she won the Rolex Cup fleet race across the Atlantic from New York to Lizard Point. With no automation her twin masts of 45m required two separate teams of grinders and trimmers working a total of 21 winches on deck.
Mari Cha IV smashed the West to East Transatlantic record in 2003, making the crossing in less than seven days. Her best distance was 525 miles in one day.
Modifications to the epoxy carbon fiber structure will provide the keyway for the addition of a new deckhouse, superstructure and cockpits based on exterior designs by Rhoades Young Design whom are going to the extremes of weight saving to design a bespoke interior where there was once none.
Technically there will be a complete overhaul and upgrade of the onboard systems, including high speed hydraulics for the winches, alarm, monitoring, entertainment, navigation, etc. As with everything related to this project weight saving will be the final mark of achievement whilst for practicality a lifting keel will replace her canting keel. A complete new color scheme, lightweight and easy-to-maintain teak-lookalike deck surfacing will harmonize with updated deck equipment. Project management will be undertaken by yacht consultant Jens Cornelsen.
The spectacular Samurai joins Huisfit’s impressive list of current refit projects. One of these in particular, the 20m Royal Huisman ketch Flyer, was another high performer in her day and won the 1977-1978 Whitbread Round the World Race (the precursor of today’s Volvo Race). She very recently returned to the yard to take advantage of the Huisfit program, as has the 24m Heartbeat, which is back for a cosmetic upgrade to her exterior and interior.
Meanwhile, work continues apace on Royal Huisman’s highly distinctive new-build projects, including three yachts ranging in size from just under 40m up to 52m, while the recently launched 48m classic sloop Wisp remains in time for her delivery. The Samurai commission is yet further proof of Huisfit’s highly respected status within the industry.
Recent major projects have included the Lürssen builds 71m M/Y Skat, 93m S/Y Eos and 40m M/Y Be Mine. In each case, not only were the captains and/or owners’ representatives completely satisfied with Huisfit’s high quality standards, they were also appreciative of the hospitality, service and support they received while working on site. Able to offer the same standards of expertise and workmanship applied to new-build superyacht projects, the Huisfit team recognizes that any refit represents a significant investment in the pleasure of ownership and the long-term value of the yacht.
The high level of enhancement carried out to leading-edge standards is underpinned by the Royal Huisman guarantee of quality and endorsed by owners and captains alike. Like to know more? Huisfit will be exhibiting this month at the Antibes Yacht Show (April 23 – 26) and later this year at the Monaco Yacht Show, Ft Lauderdale boatshow and METS Amsterdam.