Fit for a princess

Inside the impressive restoration of classic pine motor yacht Princess Iluka.

09 November 2023

Princess Iluka, the world’s largest Huon pine motor yacht, has completed a significant refit, preserving its status as a timeless classic.

Designed by Bernie Cohen and constructed by Ray Kemp in Tasmania in 1979, the 34-metre Princess Iluka is an enduring vessel that has undergone numerous rebuilds and redesigns over the years.

The latest refit at The Boat Works has returned the yacht to its luxurious best, much to the delight of its owners and charter clients.

KG Design, a boutique interior design service based in Brisbane, was entrusted with managing the interior aspects of the refit.

“Our studio was thrilled to be involved in the refit of Princess Iluka,” says owner and lead designer Keeley Green.

“She is genuinely one of a kind. Amidst a sea of options, Princess Iluka provides guests with something a little more unique – she has soul.

“She features all of the modern conveniences expected today, with a nod to the romance of travel in the past.”

Princess Iluka was built in Tasmania in 1979 and underwent a full rebuild over nine years, completed in 2009. Pictured here before the latest refit.

Princess Iluka is the world's largest Huon pine motor yacht.

The refit was carried out at The Boat Works.

KG Design, a boutique interior design service based in Brisbane, oversaw the refit.

Princess Iluka was designed by Bernie Cohen and constructed by Ray Kemp in Tasmania in 1979.

The 34-metre Princess Iluka has undergone numerous rebuilds and redesigns over the years.

The refit brief entailed replacing flooring, wall panels, ceiling panels and lighting, and repairing and reconditioning existing joinery.

The brief also involved reshaping and reupholstering furniture.

Luxurious feature-wall panel fabrics were sourced from France and Spain.

Ceiling panels were wrapped with elegant and practical vinyl for easy cleaning.

The team sourced new timber flooring locally in Queensland.

The furniture was reshaped with new foam for increased ergonomic comfort.

Princess Iluka is a popular charter vessel.

The name Iluka is an Aboriginal name meaning by the sea.

The practicalities of designing for life at sea were kept in mind, while allowing for design flair and luxury.

Timber flooring was laid in an elegant herringbone pattern.

The hull is made from 750-year-old Huon pine timber from the Tasmanian forests.

No expense has been spared in her refit.

The refit brief entailed replacing flooring, wall panels, ceiling panels, lighting, repairing and reconditioning existing joinery, and reshaping and reupholstering furniture. The team worked to leverage existing items wherever possible.

Luxurious feature wall panel fabrics were sourced from France and Spain, while ceiling panels were wrapped with elegant and practical vinyl for easy cleaning.

The team sourced new timber flooring locally in Queensland, laid in an elegant herringbone pattern. The furniture was reshaped with new foam for increased ergonomic comfort and upholstered with soft-performance fabrics. The ceiling details were reshaped, and new lighting was installed. Some of the joinery was reconditioned and refinished.

“As the designer for the interiors, my goal is to make guests feel like they are stepping onto a unique motor yacht, creating an experience that feels special and making precious family holiday memories,” Green adds.

“It was essential to keep all of the practicalities of designing for life at sea in mind while allowing for design flair and luxury.”

keeleygreendesign.com

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