Relegen- high tech skills breathe new life into classics

by Jeni Bone on 2 Jun 2009 Defence technology specialist, Relegen Dockyards, unveiled two initiatives at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, including baseLINE Voyage Management software, currently used by the Royal Australian Navy, and the company’s launch of its Classic Vessel Restoration Service.

“BaseLINE enables a host of operational, maintenance and information storage functions to be controlled by and from a single piece of software,” explained managing director, Paul Bennett, aboard the company’s pride and joy on display at SCIBS, the Hans Christian 48 ‘Pacific Pearl’.

The baseLINE concept involves management of areas like maintenance scheduling for all types of onboard plant – engines, electronics, generators – safety and diving gear, rigging and sails. The system can also manage other key operational requirements such as victualing (provisions), document storage and data collection.

“It’s a state of the art product tailored to the serious end of the private cruising and marine market.”

Retailing at just $399, its high functionality is an easily accessible civilian version of Relegen’s ground-breaking military technology.

Also launching at SCIBS and certainly popular with visitors, was the Pacific Pearl, testament to Relegen’s skills in restoration, refurbishment, upgrades and overhauls.

According to Paul Bennett, the Relegen team, composed of naval engineers, surveyors and project managers, applied its high-tech expertise and spent more than 7000 hours on the boat’s restoration.

The ketch was built by the Hanse yard in Singapore in 1986 and from its extremely neglected and tired form, was restored over the past nine months.

“Now she is in pristine condition and better than new in presentation and performance. There is still about a month’s work to go on it – about 600 hours or so. Our services are ideal for people wanting to restore a classic boat back to its former glory and want the luxury, performance and comfort of a new boat, without the price tag.”

Relegen's project managers work with clients from the start of a restoration process, helping them select a boat that already has the makings of a great classic, and one that will suit a financially viable project.

"Our company provides a range of design, project management and rebuilding services to restore boats and bring them into the 21st century."

Services include: hull and deck restoration, galley and stateroom refurbishment, power plant and electronics upgrades and rigging and deck hardware upgrades and installation.

But not all old boats make good restoration projects. As Bennett explains: “Older boats from well-known designers have already proven themselves. They have the good fundamentals that make it easier to work with and revive their quality.”


‘Pacific Pearl’ is for sale at around $1.2m.

More at www.relegendockyards.com