The refit—transformation, really—of the yacht Albatross into the yacht Moonstone took just over two full years. Twenty-six months of work, in fact, extended her decks and allowed creating all-new amenities, including a winter garden on the bridge deck.
Delta Marine delivered Albatross, a 236-footer (72.2-meter), in 2016. She was its second-largest completed superyacht at the time. Only the 240-foot (70.15-meter) Laurel, which saw handover a decade prior, outranked her. Her length and healthy volume of 2,066 gross tons impressed a couple enough to acquire her on the brokerage market in 2022. But, the owners also saw the ability to get more out of their new acquisition. With an extensive list of desires ready, they approached Damen Yachting.
Although Damen Yachting builds its own superyachts under the Amels and Damen Yacht Support brands, it performs refits, too. The shipyard welcomed the challenge. Transforming Albatross into the yacht Moonstone was indeed a challenge. Firstly, an extension of the steel hull was on order, 23 feet (7 meters) in total. Further structural changes took place, such as redesigning the composite superstructure and upgrading a variety of technical systems.
Although the four-minute timelapse of the rebuild of the yacht Moonstone doesn’t reveal the interior changes, you do see the creation of the main-deck pool. You also see the creation of the bridge-deck winter garden. The owners wanted an all-season place to enjoy dining with family and friends.
As for the rest of the interior changes, they included adding a central wellness area. It not only includes a gym, but also a sauna, a hammam, and a massage suite. With Harrison Eidsgaard, the owners additionally reimagined 80 percent of the rooms, ranging from staterooms to saloons. The ambience is modern, with numerous custom touches, to support the owners’ plans for global cruising.
With their first summer season nearly finished, the owners continue to enjoy their now-260-footer (79.2-meter). She still bears multiple nods to her original profile, but she certainly has undergone a change. It’s all the more evident given her amplified volume of 2,149 gross tons.
Damen Yachting damenyachting.com
Harrison Eidsgaard he.design
More About the Yacht Moonstone
LOA: 259’8” (79.2 meters)
Beam: 43’6” (13.25 meters)
Draft: 13’2” (4 meters)
Guests: 12 in 6 staterooms
Engines: 2/2,575-hp Caterpillars
Range: 7,400 nautical miles at 10 knots
Builder: Delta Marine
Stylist: Espen Øino International (original build), Harrison Eidsgaard (refit)
Naval Architect: Delta Design Group (original build), Damen Yachting (refit)
Interior Designer: Harrison Eidsgaard (refit)