Reimagining a Classic in Saint‑Tropez

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In 2003, I personally oversaw the complete refit of a classic motor yacht berthed in Saint‑Tropez—stripping back and refurbishing both hull and interior, and reimagining a 1970s vessel to modern super‑yacht standards.

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The project extended beyond interiors: hull and structural elements were inspected, refurbished and upgraded alongside the interior rebuild, ensuring the yacht’s aesthetics were matched by long‑term integrity and performance.

 

The brief was clear: preserve the yacht’s character, but deliver a 21st‑century standard of luxury, comfort and finish.

 

I took responsibility for the entire refit:

• Design and specification – Reimagining the interior layout, finishes and detailing to create a fresh 2003 aesthetic while respecting the vessel’s lines and proportions.

• Cross‑border project management – Coordinating owners, designers, shipyard teams and specialist contractors in France, while integrating trusted craftsmen and suppliers from South Africa.

• Craftsmanship arbitrage – Flying in a hand‑picked team of South African carpenters whose skill level matched, and in many cases exceeded, local options—allowing us to deliver bespoke joinery and finishes at a standard the owner wanted, with meaningful cost efficiency.

• Material sourcing and logistics – Procuring and moving high‑quality materials across borders, aligning lead times with yard schedules and navigational windows.

 

The yacht’s interior was effectively stripped back to structure and rebuilt: cabins, saloons, galley, bathrooms, joinery, lighting and soft furnishings were all redesigned and refitted. What emerged was a vessel that looked and felt entirely contemporary, yet still carried the presence and personality that had made it special in the first place.

 

For the owner, the result was not just a refreshed asset, but a dramatically enhanced one: a yacht capable of standing alongside newer builds in some of the world’s most discerning marinas.

 

For me, this project demonstrated that the same principles I apply on land—clear vision, rigorous planning, the right people in the right roles, and disciplined cost control—translate seamlessly to complex, high‑value floating assets.