Please select your home edition
Edition
Belvedere

That’s a wrap! - superyacht shrink wrapping comes to Thailand

by Yacht Solutions Ltd on 4 Mar 2013
Shrink wrapping the Douce France. Day 1. Yacht Solutions Ltd
In Bangkok, Yacht Solutions has just finished erecting and shrink wrapping scaffolding over s/y Douce France - a 42m metre catamaran. This is the first time a superyacht has been fully enclosed in shrink wrap, in Thailand, and this new service enables Yacht Solutions to create a climate-controlled environment to facilitate large yacht painting and refitting projects.

Responding to the need for more international standard superyacht refit facilities in the Asian region - from owners of superyachts based in Asia but also visiting yachts from Europe -Yacht Solutions is now offering shrink wrap superyacht tenting. s/y Douce France was brought from Phuket to Bangkok to have extensive paint work and mechanical repair work undertaken. In preparation for this project, the Yacht Solutions’ team was trained by Atlantic Shrink Wrapping Inc. from Washington DC, one of the top shrink wrapping installation companies in the US.

Simon Twist, Operations Director for Yacht Solutions and project manager of the Douce France refit commented, 'The only way to create the perfect environment for Douce France was to erect a 45m x 20m x 10m shrink wrapped tent around her. This offers exceptional protection against environmental factors including rain, sun and wind. Shrink wrap tents are now commonplace in the superyacht industry in America and Europe and so we are very happy to be pioneering superyacht shrink wrap tenting here in Thailand.'

Shrink wrap is a polyethylene plastic that is formulated to shrink when heat is applied to it. It then forms a tight seal to whatever it is wrapped around or secured to. In this case, the scaffolding. The shrinking process makes the plastic stronger, allowing it to withstand weather and other elements. Shrink wrapping provides many benefits to superyacht project managers, allowing freedom from the vagaries of weather, added security against theft, protecting yachts from external contaminants, and also (because it can be made airtight) the ‘wrapped’ area can be vented to provide a temperature-controlled work environment.

Gareth Twist, Managing Director of Yacht Solutions, comments that 'We have now been in the marine refit and repair business in Thailand for 12 years. Offering a superyacht shrink wrapping service seems a natural progression for Yacht Solutions. The superyacht industry in Asia is growing, and recent trends show that there has been a year-on-year increase in the number of superyachts either in the region or transiting through, and by offering this service to international standards we believe that more vessels will be attracted to Thailand all year round for refits, conversions and paintwork.'

Mr Twist adds that 'with this shrink wrapping ability we are able to compete with the European yards but with the distinct advantage of a lower labour cost base. Our unique combination ensures international standards are maintained while owners receive exceptional value for money and service due to the efficiencies of operating out of Thailand.'

The tent took seven days to create. Once the scaffolding was erected, the plastic was placed and the pieces were welded together. The plastic was then meticulously cut around the masts and the cables supporting the masts. Each cut was then sealed back together and reinforced. The final step of the project was to put a skirt on the bottom of the structure to meet the ground. The shrink wrapped structure was then fitted with intake and exhaust fans and air conditioning.

The shrink wrap structure proves that anything is possible with a qualified crew and professional installation techniques. Now all yachts can be protected and repaired in their own environment.
Yacht Solutions continues to supply a unique combination of superyacht services, craftsman, project management and this additional service enables them to take on superyacht projects – come rain or shine.

www.yachtsolutions.com

Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERC-Tech 2020 Battens 2 728x90 BOTTOM

Related Articles

2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA Day 2
Final four skippers emerge from a competitive qualifying double-round robin stage A thrilling second day of racing at the 2025 Santa Maria Cup saw the final four skippers emerge from a competitive qualifying double-round robin stage.
Posted today at 4:47 am
SailGP to Kick Off Summer in New York
With this Weekend's Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix An unforgettable weekend of high-speed, close-to-shore racing and world-class entertainment will take place this weekend when the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix takes place in front of the most famous skyline in the world.
Posted on 5 Jun
Scandinavian Gold Cup at Sopot, Poland Day 1
A slow start with very little wind The Scandinavian Gold Cup opened Thursday in Sopot, Poland, with seven 5.5 Metres competing for this historic and iconic trophy that dates back to 1922. Unfortunately, there was not enough wind to even complete one race.
Posted on 5 Jun
Brooklyn kids launch 7 ft boats they built by hand
Join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our boat-building students Brooklyn Boatworks, a local nonprofit that teaches NYC public school students—mostly from underserved communities—to build and launch their own wooden sailboats from 3 sheets of plywood, a set of plans, and tools.
Posted on 5 Jun
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 3
A six-hour bake on the water Veteran and multi-Olympic race officer Sulis was clear at the morning briefing, "Our priority is to get three races for the 49er so they can progress to the gold fleet."
Posted on 5 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 3
Platoon Aviation turn up the heat but don't dent American Magic Quantum Racing's lead After a disappointing first regatta of the season when they finished in an uncharacteristic last position in Saint-Tropez, the fortunes of the German flagged 2023 52 SUPER SERIES overall champions Platoon Aviation seem to have turned for the better.
Posted on 5 Jun
Diverse international fleet for 5th AEGEAN 600
The race start is a little over 1 month away In a sign that this newest of the world's 600-mile classic offshore races has reached maturity, organizers from the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club are pleased to announce yet another large international fleet will be assembled for the 2025 AEGEAN 600.
Posted on 5 Jun
Newport International Boat Show joins Sail Newport
Premier northeast boat show donates $5,000 to community efforts The Newport International Boat Show, presented by BankNewport announced today its continued involvement in supporting Sail Newport to aid in a shared dedication to attract new boaters to a lifetime of making memories on the water.
Posted on 5 Jun
Sinclair Championship Preview
Noroton Yacht Club (NYC) at the center of thriving Women's Sailing Program Up to a dozen of the country's top women sailing teams will come to the Noroton Yacht Club (NYC) again to compete in the 2025 Susan Widmann Sinclair Women's Championship June 13th-15th.
Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup.
Posted on 5 Jun