30m/98ft classic sailing yacht REESLE has begun an eight-month refit at the Claasen Shipyards in preparation for her trans-Pacific cruise to New Zealand next year.

Sailing yacht REESLE preparing for refit at the Claasen Shipyards

Built by Engelaer in 1995, she features the interior and exterior styling of Hoek Design Naval Architects and has been journeying the world’s oceans regularly, visiting popular destinations such as the Mediterranean as well as the far-reaches of Russia.

The luxury schooner will have both 240hp MYU engines replaced as well as the bow thruster. The propeller shafts will be retained, however this will complicate the refit procedure as modifications also need to be done to the structural foundations and half the engine room will need to be removed.

Sailing yacht REESLE entering the refit shed at Claasen Shipyards

“The owners’ initial plans to start in October 2018 were brought forward two months, so my colleague and I immediately flew to Kiel to join three crew members in sailing REESLE to Holland,” Project manager Wouter van Rijn commented. “Within a week we were removing the mast and the yacht was inside our facility just north of Amsterdam. The speed with which this refit was arranged speaks volumes for the flexibility of the Claasen team.”

Made from an aluminium hull and superstructure, S/Y REESLE has an interior volume greater than 100GT and accommodates up to 8 guests and 4 crew members.