‘Ulysses’ ready for her odyssey
A record turnaround for 106-metre explorer yacht refit at Compositeworks in La Rochelle.
Photography by Compositeworks
14 June 2017
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Compositeworks has completed an intensive three months’ work on 106-metre explorer yacht M/Y Ulysses at its Atlantic Coast facility in La Rochelle, France in record time and within budget.
The project is the first to be completed at the facility, previously known as Atlantic Refit Center, since it was taken over by Compositeworks in September last year. It involved a team of over 170 professionals, including 40 crew and many La Rochelle maritime companies.
The works carried out in close collaboration with Manta Maritime, operating as owner’s representative, included a complete hull fairing from unfaired and topcoat application from Rolling Stock. There were also a number of technical and aesthetic optimisation projects completed within the three months, including handrails, new crew quarters and VIP suite balconies. Compositeworks commented that Rolling Stock’s work on the new hull finishing exceeds ICOMIA industry standards.
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Over the years, Compositeworks has built up a strong reputation for complex refits and rebuild work. Founded in 1998, the company has completed more than 800 projects spanning over a quarter of the global yacht fleet in excess of 85 metres. The company originally was focused on providing service from its South of France headquarters in La Ciotat near Marseille before the La Rochelle take-over, and it now splits its workload between the sites.
Ulysses was delivered to her owner, New Zealand businessman Graeme Hart, by Norwegian offshore commercial specialist yard Kleven in March 2016. At 106 metres in length, with an 18-metre beam, she accommodates up to 30 guests in 15 staterooms and spans seven decks. Hart is clearly a fan of the explorer yacht platform, as he is expecting delivery of her 116-metre sister ship this summer.
Ulysses was designed by Marin Teknikk, a Norwegian ship designer, with an interior from H2 Yacht Design based in the UK. She was the talk of the yachting community for many months after her delivery due to her strong, commercial-looking lines and robust capability, which divided opinion but attracted a strong fan base.
At anchor during the 2016 Monaco Yacht Show, a visit to Ulysses was one of the hottest tickets in town, with many bookending their tour with a helicopter transfer. As well as a helipad, she also features a helicopter garage and an impressive array of tenders and toys. An ice-classed explorer, she has a range of 8,500nm and is currently listed for sale at US$ 195 million.
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