Its strategic location – at the entrance to Savona harbour, half way between the French Riviera and Viareggio’s boat building centre, and at a stone’s throw from Genoa International Airport – makes Palumbo Superyachts Savona a very convenient hub for superyacht repair and refit.

Though the right location is key to the feasibility and long term economic viability of its business, as we all know, to make a shipyard very successful it takes more than just an enviable geographical position…and, indeed, Palumbo Savona’s customer-pull factor goes well beyond that.

With a history of excellence in the building, repairing and refitting of yachts up to 80 metres spanning over 50 years, it’s no wonder the shipyard is always bustling with activity.

Currently, there are 18 yachts ranging from 25 to 55 metres under refit and maintenance of which 5 in covered sheds, 11 on the hard and 2 afloat, and during the pandemic we’ve kept focusing on these projects maintaining business continuity, whilst simultaneously working hard to minimise the impact and spread of the virus by applying all the prescribed health measures.

We specialise in tackling the multitude of challenges facing today’s shipyards: from the ongoing pressure to reduce running costs by making yachts more energy efficient, to devising appropriate solutions in order to ensure compliance with the environmental requirements set out by the regulatory bodies mainly on air and water pollution, waste management, noise and light pollution.

So, our experts work closely with clients to guide them through the minefield of possible solutions and assist them to achieve the best balance between the necessary implementation or the desired result and the cost and lead time involved.

Our industry knowledge is vital to lead our clients to a good understanding of their scenario, before selecting the preferred technical solution and deploying it in a way that is tailored to them.

Because our ultimate aim is to meet their requirements in the most professional, transparent and competitive way… and their loyalty proves we are on the right track!

Despite the complex situation, Palumbo Superyachts Marseille has been working non-stop during the coronavirus pandemic, devoting absolute priority to their teams and loyal customers’ health and safety.

Strictly compliant to the French Government’s recommendations and cooperating closely with public health officials on any changes to the prevention measures, the shipyard regarded critical that they did their part to help reduce the negative effect of such an unprecedented situation on employees and clients.

As a result, one of the undertaken projects for the complete repaint of a 92 metre Feadship megayacht is coming to completion and the scaffolds are being dismantled.

Due to the circumstances, the task has turned out being more intense and time-consuming, but as the sunlight bounces off the uncovered flawless finish, everyone considers the final product well worth the effort.

As the megayacht is getting closer to set sail again and turn heads in harbours all over the world, Palumbo Superyachts Marseille thank their staff and clients for their loyalty, resilience and positive mindset to battle this challenge together.

photo credit @Sigrun Sauerzapfe aka Siggi

• She entered the Barcelona50 race for fun and qualified in Top 5 out of 2600 competitors;
• She measures 27 metres in length and accommodates from 8 to 10 guests in 4 cabins plus 2 crew members;
• Originally named DSK, this sailing yacht with composite hull and carbon superstructure was delivered by Nautor’s Swan in 2008;
• She boasts naval architecture and engineering by German Frers, the Argentinian firm producing some of the most aesthetically pleasing yachts currently on the water.

…Have you guessed who she is yet?

We’re talking about S/Y WOODPECKER CUBE, of course! …a girl that, despite her age, leads a very active life just like her Owner’s family. She bakes in the sun, gets soaked by the rain (often polluted rain), gets frozen and thawed, chafes for months at a time against docks and fenders and floats in a watery zoo of plants and animals that want very much to attach themselves to her bottom and go along for the ride.

So, now her composite outer surface is due for painting to restore its shiny look.

And because painting is not be intended as a mere face lift, but most importantly as a line of defence against all the attacking elements, the Owner opted for a right proper job.

To get a good result, the three most important factors are preparation, preparation and preparation… because any paint job is as good as the preparation that precedes it, and breaking this golden rule can only result in dissatisfaction and a failed job.

So, to start with the hull was thoroughly cleaned in order to remove any old paint remains and oils that might’ve been absorbed during the years: a condition that reduces the ability of new paint to adhere to the surface.

This was followed by special primer coats to improve adhesive properties. All surface irregularities were smoothed out, old holes and scratches filled and carefully faired out. There’s nothing like a fresh, glossy coat of new paint to show up surface defects! Unless this work is carefully accomplished, all existing surface defects will be magnified and the result will be far from satisfying.

Look out for her and her attached owning family in the coming summer and see what you think of her new shine!

The first-born of the Columbus fleet in 2011, she is an exceptional motor yacht build to the highest standards.

With naval architecture by Sergio Cutolo and interior design by Tommaso Spadolini, 177ft ARMADA (previously named Prima) has it all and manages to charm us with her refined Italian design combined with a collection of exceptionally large spaces both inside and out …no wonder that guests and owner feel instantly immersed into a lavish sense of space upon entering their quarters spreading over a total of 350 m²!

Add to that the accomplishment of being rewarded a RINA Green Star Plus Platinum and an ABS Classification, the former being all the more prestigious since awarded by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco in the presence of His Majesty the King of Spain.

And when this charming lady showed the need for a deep cleaning and some touch-ups, where else to go than back ‘home’ for a guaranteed success?

So, ARMADA is currently at Palumbo Superyachts Naples undergoing thorough cleaning of the entire underwater part of the hull and painting with antifouling, before checking above the waterline mainly around the rub rail for any surface scratches and holes to be filled, carefully faired out and finally painted.

By the time she will leave the shipyard, with no doubt ARMADA will be restored to her former shine, ready to turn heads again in every harbour she’ll berth this summer!

Dollars and cents drive virtually all boat projects, but… at Palumbo Superyachts Malta someone is on a path to breaking that pattern!

This is the unique story of two yacht Owners who defied all statistic evidence on the upkeep cost of vessels, to prove that there’s more to maintaining a ‘seasoned lady’ than financial sense. When it comes to looking after a beloved boat that’s been in the family for decades and that one wishes to keep for her sentimental value, money is no longer an issue.

Usually, women don’t like to talk about their age and size, but the two ladies concerned have no qualms with revealing that are in their 50s and measure 33 and 90 metres. Having often crossed troubled waters and weathered many a storms, they proudly prove that what time has taken from them in youth, has been replaced with experience.
All they need at this stage is a just as an experienced yard to remove their ‘signs of resilience’ so that they can manoeuvre with confidence and grace again.

Refitting a ‘seasoned’ boat can be a rewarding challenge also for the shipyard involved, once overcome the painstaking exercise of assessing the entire process. Essentially, in these circumstances most of the machinery is obsolete, spare parts are discontinued and communication equipment is long outdated.
But no job is too big for Palumbo Malta where these projects are now well under way. The teak will be replaced on all decks after hydro-blasting the steel underneath to remove existing rust, followed by the application of primer and paint. Tank cleaning will also require a lot of work as hydro-blasting is expected to uncover a substantial amount of steel in need of replacement, especially in the sewage holding and freshwater tanks. Other critical tasks will be: tail shaft and rudder surveying, overhauling thrusters, generators and main engines and also replacing the whole HVAC system on board.

As always, our concern is to do a good job within the set time, making these yachts seaworthy again and letting their Owners experience life aboard as it was in their good old days.