Royal Huisman has been commissioned to undertake the conversion of the famous 42m (139ft) 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, stealth looking, very fast, elegantly comfortable, technologically advanced and unforgettable to sail.

Modifications to the epoxy carbon fiber structure will permit 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. The conversion will include a complete overhaul and upgrade of the onboard systems, including highspeed hydraulics for the winches, alarm, monitoring, entertainment, navigation, etc. Weight savings will be key and 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.

SAMURAI joins Huisfit’s impressive list of current refit projects. One of these in particular, the 20m (65ft) 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 (78ft) 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 (131ft) up to 52m (171ft), while the recently launched 48m (157ft) classic sloop Wisp remains in time for her delivery.

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 boat show and METS Amsterdam.