The iconic yacht was delivered to her original owner in 1984 as Gallant Lady and later renamed Patriot. In 2005, she was put through a 15-month refit in Florida, an operation that saw her stripped back to a bare metal hull and completely refurbished. Her latest refit was more modest in scope but no less significant, because her new owner decided to spare no expense and ship the yacht across the Atlantic to where she was built almost four decades ago.

“Acquired by a serial Feadship owner last year, the yacht was in excellent condition at the time of sale, but he determined to bring her back to the Netherlands to ensure his Feadship remains a Feadship,” says Pier Posthuma de Boer, director of Feadship Refit and Services. “We were actually full when the owner contacted us, but we’re always proud when long-term clients bring their yachts back to us for refit work, so we adjusted our schedules and Catch is now back in the water.”

The yacht arrived in July 2022 without a definitive work list. The owner, who has long experience of refitting his other Feadships, visited the shipyard in person and a plan was developed so work could start immediately after the summer holidays under the guidance of his representative Peter Wilson of MCM and designer Adam Voorhees.

“It was amazing working with Peter, Adam and the owner,” adds Patrick Dekker, Project Manager Refit. “The relationship worked so well because we already knew the owner’s team and they were able to take decisions on the spot. It was a pleasurable experience all round.”

The work list included a full repaint; new teak decking on the foredeck; new teak caprail aft; revarnishing of all the exterior teak; new veneer on the main deck aft; installation of a sun awning covering the foredeck to create a lounging area; numerous interior items; technical maintenance; and upgrading of the LED lighting system. Moreover, an additional crew cabin was created that can accommodate two more crew members for a total of four (previously there was only space for two crew members before the refit). The space was made available by removing the crane and using space taken up by the owner’s old wardrobe, which has been re-positioned.

Catch will sail to Eemshaven and be put on a transport vessel to the US before the end of the month.