Raising the bar on refit excellence
In the gleaming world of luxury yachts, appearance is everything—but so too is protection. When the time came to refinish Motor Yacht Mischief, a 54-metre charter superyacht and the largest of its kind operating in Australian waters, the team at Yachtsmiths knew there was only one paint system that could meet the moment: Awlgrip.
Based on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Yachtsmiths have earned a reputation as superyacht refinishing specialists. For Mischief, they turned to AkzoNobel’s Awlgrip HDT and Awlcraft 3000 coatings—two world-class products known for delivering that showroom shine with durability to match.
The results speak for themselves. After a meticulous nine-month programme of work, Mischief emerged from the shed with a mirror-smooth gloss finish that’s not only visually stunning but ready for many more years of commercial charter use.
A complete transformation, inside and out
Mitchell Zigenbine, Director at Yachtsmiths, described the refit as one of their most rewarding yet.
“I’VE BEEN USING AKZONOBEL PRODUCTS MY ENTIRE CAREER—ABOUT 90 TO 95 PERCENT OF OUR JOBS INVOLVE AWLGRIP OR AWLCRAFT SYSTEMS,” HE SAYS.
“WITH MISCHIEF, WE SPENT SIX TO SEVEN MONTHS INSIDE THE SHED ALONE. THE SCOPE INCLUDED CORROSION REMEDIATION, THROUGH-HULL REMOVAL, STRUCTURAL REPAIRS, AND A FULL TOPCOAT—AND THE OWNER HAD HIGH EXPECTATIONS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.”
Scaffolding was erected in January 2024, and by August, the yacht was undergoing a full month of water-based preparation before final topcoats were applied. The result was a flawless surface ready for her next charter, showcasing the distinctive depth and clarity Awlgrip HDT is known for.
Why the system matters
Yachtsmiths maintain a single-brand approach throughout each coating project—an important move not only for consistency but also to align with warranty conditions.
“WE DON’T MIX SYSTEMS. ONCE WE’VE CHOSEN A BRAND FOR ETCH PRIMING, FAIRING AND TOPCOATING, WE STICK WITH IT. THAT GIVES US RELIABILITY AND ENSURES THE JOB PERFORMS OVER TIME,” EXPLAINS MITCHELL.
Mischief was no exception. As the first vessel over 50m LOA in Australia to be coated with Awlgrip HDT, it was also a proving ground for future projects.
The Awlgrip HDT system provided additional versatility for Yachtsmiths in terms of flow coating. By performing a preliminary application before the final topcoat, the team had a chance to trial consistency and visual performance under real-world conditions.
“ENVIRONMENTAL FLUCTUATIONS WERE OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE,” SAYS MITCHELL. “WE STARTED IN HUMID SUMMER CONDITIONS AND FINISHED IN WINTER. ADJUSTING THE THINNER MIX ALLOWED US TO KEEP APPLICATION QUALITY HIGH, REGARDLESS OF AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.”
Technical excellence backed by training
Yachtsmiths’ dedication to quality extends beyond individual projects. With AkzoNobel opening its new Yacht Paint Application Center (YPAC) at Gold Coast City Marina, Mitchell and his team are enthusiastic about ongoing training and development.
“YPAC IS AN EXCELLENT INITIATIVE. IT ALLOWS APPLICATORS LIKE US TO GET HANDS-ON WITH THE LATEST COATING TECHNOLOGY AND REFINE OUR SKILLS WITH EXPERT GUIDANCE,” HE SAYS.
“IT’S A FANTASTIC STEP FORWARD FOR THE WHOLE INDUSTRY.”
The facility, which opened last October, is already generating excitement for the region’s refit and repair sector. By bringing together the latest digital tools, skilled trainers, and proven coating solutions, YPAC offers a rare opportunity to upskill in a technically demanding industry.
A superyacht standard for the Southern Hemisphere
Mischief’s transformation sets a new benchmark for superyacht finishing in the Southern Hemisphere. Beyond aesthetics, it reflects a deep commitment to doing the job right—from surface prep and corrosion mitigation to topcoating and inspection.
For Yachtsmiths, the project reinforced their long-standing relationship with AkzoNobel and highlighted the importance of a unified product and support system. For the owner and charter clients, the outcome is a vessel that gleams like new, with technical assurance built into every layer of paint.
Whether cruising the Whitsundays or hosting guests along the eastern seaboard, Mischief is now more than ready to turn heads—again.
Looking ahead
With the refit complete and Mischief back on charter, the focus now shifts to the next generation of projects. As vessels continue to demand top-tier maintenance and presentation, the partnership between Yachtsmiths and AkzoNobel appears set to deepen.
With world-class facilities, a dedicated workforce of 50, and a growing portfolio of prestige refits, Yachtsmiths is shaping up to be one of Australasia’s key players in the premium coatings space.
“WE’RE PROUD OF WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED ON MISCHIEF,” SAYS MITCHELL. “AND WE’RE EXCITED TO KEEP PUSHING WHAT’S POSSIBLE.”
