24 Oct 2012

Work well underway on M5 refit at Pendennis

By Angela Audretsch

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The intensive refit of M5 (ex. Mirabella V) is well underway at Pendennis in Falmouth where, according to the yard, developments to the world’s largest sloop rigged sailing yacht already taking shape.

Structurally, several new features will be added to create a significant amount of flexible social space to the exterior of M5. The original designers for Mirabella V, Ron Holland Design, will fit her with a new three-metre composite stern extension, which will be manufactured by Green Marine and post-cure is scheduled to start shortly. A significant amount of open deck area has been added aft of the communications arch on the flybridge, which is also undergoing remodelling.


 
Further structural changes also include the installation of a new side-boarding platform, reaching out from the port hull to water level. The splash mould has left Pendennis and is currently with the door manufacturer for construction. The aperture in the hull is scheduled be cut this month in preparation for the new door structure to be bonded in. The hull and superstructure will be undergoing a full repaint over the next few months by the Pendennis in-house paint team.


 
The flybridge furniture, which was previously made from moulded composite, has now been removed in preparation for a new flexible furnishing option to be fitted. In the main living areas, the owner’s quarters and main saloon as well as lower deck guest suites have mostly been stripped out in preparation for new interiors designed by Redman Whiteley Dixon (RWD) and Pod Interior Style.

SuperyachtDesign spoke to RWD and Polly Sturgess from Pod about the planned new scheme (full feature on Pod Interior Style in Q13). “It’s going to be really open,” said Toby Ecuyer, creative director at RWD. “It’s all about subtlety with this project. It is very residential.” The owner has a passion for aviation and so they have incorporated this into the interior, especially in the main salon where a leather floor will run all the way through the lounge down into the guest area and up into the flybridge. “It very much has a runway feel to it,” Polly told us. “The stitching along the edges and the way it runs through the centre of the room.” The interior fittings will be manufactured by Pendennis in conjunction with Superyacht Interiors New Zealand (SINZ). According to the yard, installation will start during November.


 
“The programme of engineering work running alongside this schedule is also substantial,” says Pendennis’ Christine Winans. “Most equipment in the engine room and technical spaces has been removed, with large shipping holes created in the decks to hoist equipment from the depths of the yacht.” All primary systems will be replaced, including new main engines, generators, shore power units and switchboards. There is also an overhaul of all other systems with major rewiring currently taking place in preparation for this major upgrade.

Related Links

Pendennis Plus Profile | Pendennis Website

Ron Holland Design Profile | Ron Holland Design Website

Redman Whiteley Dixon Profile | Redman Whiteley Dixon Website

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