Balk Shipyard relaunches 30m motor yacht Ursus after extensive rebuild
Today, Ursus was relaunched following an extensive rebuild, marking the conclusion of a complex and rewarding project by Balk Shipyard and Mulder Design. The event was celebrated this morning as the yacht returned to the water, showcasing its transformed design and enhanced performance. Extended from 24 to 30 metres, Ursus now features numerous innovations aimed at improving both comfort and performance.
The journey began in 2022 when the yacht's owner approached Balk Shipyard with a clear request: to preserve the charm of the yacht's interior while extending the yacht for additional space, including a beach club, an extra crew area, and upgraded propulsion systems. Although the owner had initial drawings to extend the yacht, he asked for advice on how to proceed with this rebuild. Together, we decided to start from scratch, laying the groundwork fora detailed and challenging project.

Naval architect and yacht designer Mulder Design was consulted for the project, providing expertise in redesigning the yacht. They introduced innovative features, including a redesigned beach club and a seating area made possible by extending the stern. "Our focus on the exterior was to blend the motifications with the original design characteristics; says Bas Mulder, owner of Mulder Design. "All to keep a cohered yacht:' The new huil extensions have been optimized by the use of CFD (Computional Fluid Dynamics) calculations to reduce the resistance and improve seakeeping capabilities. According to Bas Mulder, ""the collaboration between Balk Shipyard and Mulder Design was good, short lines of communications and an integrated team."



After completing the design and engineering, Ursus underwent a comprehensive 18-month rebuild at Balk Shipyard. The bow and stern were removed and replaced, adding extra space at both ends. The tender garage was relocated, creating a new seating area in the bow, while a twin anchor system and an additional crew cabin were integrated. Additionally, the decks were upgraded with FSC certified teak, and the huil was repainted to align with the latest Range Rover livery Batumi Gold.

The yacht also received advanced technical upgrades to ensure optimal performance, including the addition of new diesel-electric pods. A seawater cooling system was installed to maintain ideal conditions in the technique! spaces, and the yacht was equipped with new Veth Azimut drives from TwinDisc. While the Volvo Penta D9 main engines and Stamford 22DkW generators were retained, the extended required huil an adjusted setup to maximize power. Additional enhancements include a Veth bow thruster for improved maneuverability, Furuno navigation systems, a dynamic positioning (DP) system, and wing stations for precise handling.
Reflecting on the project, Evan Kortmann, CEO of Balk Shipyard stated: "This was one of the most complex rebuilds we've undertaken, but our dedicated team embraced the challenge. Collaborating with Mulder Design, we brought an innovative concept to life, combining our engineering expertise with true craftsmanship. The close cooperation with the owner and his representative was key, allowing us to maintain personal contact and short communication lines throughout. We look forward to fine-tuning the yacht during sea trials to ensure it's delivered in peak condition."

The yacht's owner expressed his satisfaction with the process, stating: "in 2018, we took over 'URSUS'. She is originally built by a Dutch shipyard with a length of 24 meters, and transferred to Mallorca. In the following years we had the opportunity to sail and use the ship extensively in the Balearic waters. We liked the quality of the ship and life on board very much, but there were clear deficits in the performance. We therefore decided to extend the ship in 2022 and improve its hydrodynamic properties at the same time. Für diese sehr komplexe Aufgabe, nur eine niederländische Schiffsyard Carne in Frage für uns. We made a conscious decision in favor of Balk Shipyard in Urk. We are delighted with the result after approx. two years of planning and conversion."
Ursus is now ready for sea trials, which will take place in the coming weeks. Balk Shipyard will deliver the yacht to its owner this February.
