The 29.26-metre yacht “Belle de Jour” has been relaunched at Balk Shipyard following a four-month refit programme. The work was carried out in preparation for the upcoming summer season and marks another project for a repeat client of the Dutch yard.
According to Balk Shipyard, the scope of work included spot repairs to the hull, rudder repairs, a complete renewal of the antifouling coating and a repaint of the hull below the waterline in pastel blue. The mast deck was also repainted, while technical and electrical systems were inspected and serviced where required.
Built in 2013 by FlevoShip Holland in Nijkerk, east of Amsterdam, “Belle de Jour” remains the flagship of the Dutch shipyard. FlevoShip has been active for more than 35 years and has delivered both sailing and motor yachts based on designs by studios including Diana Yacht Design and Lynx Yachts.
The yacht was designed by the late Dutch naval architect Pieter Beeldsnijder, who was responsible for more than 2,500 vessel designs during his career. His portfolio included several award-winning sailing yachts for Royal Huisman, numerous motor yachts for Feadship and a 15-metre sailing yacht presented to Princess Beatrix on her 18th birthday.
For “Belle de Jour”, Beeldsnijder opted for long exterior lines, closed bulwarks and a comparatively high freeboard. Despite an overall length of just under 30 metres, the yacht offers an interior volume of 140 GT. According to the yard, the layout was designed to maximise the available interior space and create the impression of a significantly larger vessel.
“Every vessel has a story worth preserving,” said Evan Kortmann of Balk Shipyard. “Our primary role as a refit and ReCraft specialist is to ensure vessels are primed for their next chapter, while honouring those that came before. Belle de Jour represents precisely the Dutch excellence we’re committed to stewarding.”
Thirteen years after her launch, the yacht has now completed another refit in the Netherlands. Balk Shipyard said the work was carried out with a focus on preserving the original design and construction standards that have characterised the vessel since delivery.
