Refit

The first year

After purchasing the yacht in 2022, we transferred our SOULMATE to a shipyard we trust in April 2023. We therefore focused on the refit in 2023.

Our first task was to identify necessary improvements. As the yacht was in a very good state of maintenance, we were able to focus on defining a number of measures to be implemented as a priority. These included overhauling the underwater hull, renewing the shaft bearings and shaft seal, installing an emergency rudder, installing a wind generator, renewing the chart plotter including AIS and upgrading to a suitable radar.

Overall, this all seems manageable and can be carried out in part by ourselves, but certain work also required the use of trained specialist personnel from a shipyard in the interests of sustainable quality assurance. Although this hurts the budget, it will hopefully pay off in the long term. As a well-known fashionista once said: “You have to throw money out of the right window to get it back in the door. Okay - we don't intend to generate revenue or profits, but we hope to do everything we can with the right preparation to ensure that safety on board is always guaranteed.

2023