Huisfit, the refit arm of Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman, has offered a first look inside the 37.3-metre Atlantide, which has been relaunched following a major two-year rebuild.
Designed by naval architect Alfred Mylne, Atlantide was built by British yard Philip & Sons in 1930 and has a rich history spanning more than 90 years. The classic motorsailer arrived at the Vollenhove yard for a cosmetic refresh in January 2021 but was soon revealed to have a "dented and deformed structure" that required more thorough works.
The yacht was sold to keen yachtsman Jim Clark and his wife Kristy in October 2020. Royal Huisman already had a well-established relationship with the couple having previously built three sailing yachts for them: the J-Class sailing yacht Hanuman in 2009, Athena in 2004 and Hyperion in 1998. Hanuman was also refitted by the yard in 2020.
Speaking about the project, Royal Huisman chief executive Jan Timmerman said the Atlantide rebuild was "so grand in scale" that the yard "allocat[ed] it the same status as a new project".
He continued: "If a discerning client commissions a fourth, very substantial project to the same shipyard, you just know that the work you perform is truly appreciated. So we are most honoured to find ourselves in the position to realise yet another dream for our esteemed clients Jim and Kristy Clark."
The owners wanted Atlantide's post-war profile to remain untouched, with the entire teak deckhouse lifted off in one piece for restoration, preservation, strengthening, and refinishing. As much of the original exterior teak as possible, including massive cap rails, was saved, restored, and pieced back in with new wood. The winches were also preserved, which are thought to be 60 to 70 years old.
The interiors were simplified, with Huisfit replacing the elaborate Art Deco features installed by the previous owner – particularly in the main saloon which is now "a more casual space [...] for après regatta relaxation." One of the biggest changes is that the space previously dedicated to indoor dining is now a media room, complete with an overstuffed sofa and linen-upholstered chairs. Dining is instead located on the aft deck, on an "enormous custom table" and under a fixed Bimini awning with removable weather curtains.
"It’s a work of art. There were parts of the yacht, [both the interior and the mechanical spaces] that were not well thought out before. Now it is," added Clark. "What I like is the historic quality of this boat; nothing is plastic. I’m a classic boat snob. I like the old wood look; big modern boats do nothing for me."
Atlantide will be primarily used as a day boat during the summer where she will be moored at Martha’s Vineyard and as a tender to Hanuman at bucket races.
Atlantide joins a fleet of award-winning refits and rebuilds completed at the Dutch shipyard, including Broadwater and Athos.
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