Legendary return
Younique Yachts is giving classic vessels a new lease on life thanks to their Legends Reborn project.
Written by Jack O'Rourke
01 July 2020
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Good news for those with fond memories of wonderful sailing vacations when you were kids, as yacht builders Younique Yachts has set about rejuvenating your pride and joy.
Most recently they completed a restoration of a Swan 48, originally built in 1973.
“Olin Stephen was an exceptional designer, unconventional and way ahead of his time. He thought the Swan 48 was his best design,” reflected the owner of the classic yacht after the refit was completed. “I could not agree more. Its seventies and eighties vibe brings back many wonderful memories. ”
A beautiful yacht should have a long and active life and does not deserve to waste away prematurely. That in itself is enough reason to embrace a concept like Legends Reborn.
“Classic yachts are admired for their elegant and graceful curves, modern yachts for space and speed. Contrasting classic design with modern techniques and applications creates an exhilarating experience no new yacht ever could,” says Peter Melchers of Younique Yachts.
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Rebuilding old legendary yachts requires fewer materials than building new ones, and at Younique’s shipyard waste material is sorted carefully and then recycled.
Yachts are built with as little waste as possible, and Younique uses FSC-certified wood for construction and finishing.
Melchers says, “we always work with the same supplier, because we know his FSC-label and paperwork are up to date. We want our clients to be able to check.”
Certified wood is produced in a sustainable forest, with respect for the natural environment, animals and plants and consideration for the rights and safety of the people who work there.
To compensate, Younique wants to replace the wood the shipyard uses. They aim to plant some 2,000 trees in five years, spread across two areas of one hectare each.
One hectare is in the Netherlands, the other in a protected reserve on the slopes of Mount Malindang, an inactive volcano in the Philippines.
In the past deforestation in the area led to widespread erosion, flooding and mudslides, making agriculture in the lower valleys practically impossible. The forest has since recovered, and these days it is managed sustainably.
Younique Yachts moved into a new building a year ago.
“The new location will offer great possibilities to run a CO2-neutral business, says Melchers. “We are considering several options: solar panels and a heat exchanger combined with floor heating and LED lights. There is quite a number of things we can do.”
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