The 53.9-metre sailing yacht Ravenger, formerly known as Pink Gin VI, has successfully concluded her 10-month refit at Baltic Yachts' facilities in Jakobstad, Finland. Originally delivered in 2017 as the world's largest carbon fibre sloop-rigged sailing yacht, a title she continues to hold, Ravenger underwent a comprehensive refit following her sale to a new owner in 2023. The sale was facilitated by Edmiston and Fraser.
The yacht's exterior design was overseen by the owner's team, which included Finnish designer Jarkko Jämsén. Regular maintenance and refits have kept her in top class condition, with the recent refit focusing primarily on aesthetic and performance enhancements. Key upgrades included significant improvements to her rig, sailplan, and sailing systems. Design Unlimited was responsible for the reimagined interiors, including a redesigned owner's cabin.
Designed by Judel/Vrolijk & Co and Design Unlimited, the 325GT yacht is a regular participant in regattas due to her lightweight carbon construction and is often seen on the water with a pink spinnaker. Her mast has been rebuilt to accommodate a more powerful sailplan, featuring a square-top mainsail and a triple headsail configuration, along with larger code and offwind sails. Additional modifications include an extended bowsprit by 1.5 metres, a replaced headstay, and running backstays now equipped with deflectors.
The exterior restyle includes a hardtop Bimini that shelters the midships passenger cockpit, styled by Jarkko Jämsén. Changes are also being made to the helm stations, modernising the control console's ergonomics and style, and adding an additional helmsman's Bimini set on a carbon fibre tubular framework. The new interiors feature softer, neutral tones and light oak veneers on surfaces, including headboards and tabletops. Accommodation remains largely unchanged, except for the owner's cabin, which now boasts hand-carved timber furniture. The large fold-out balcony platforms in the saloon and owner's cabin have been preserved, and a new breakfast bar has been installed in the main saloon, replacing the baby grand piano.
Performance enhancements include an extended bowsprit by 1.5 metres and the replacement of the single, fixed backstay with running backstays, enabling a modern, triple-headed sail plan for power reaching. This includes a code sail, jib, and soft-luffed furling staysail, which can be lowered when not in use. To complement these upgrades, all deck winches have been replaced with smaller, lighter, and faster drums supplied by Harken, reducing the total winch weight from 600kg to around 150kg.
Senior project managers at Baltic Yachts, Mikael Nyberg and Tommy Johansson, led the refit. Tommy Johansson noted, "Another focus of this project is enhancing her noise reduction solutions, ensuring they remain state-of-the-art by implementing all the knowledge we have gained in recent projects." Nyberg added, "The boat is entering a new phase of her life. With this refit, we are ensuring she is fit and ready for the next challenges that await her, be they on the race course or exploring off the beaten track."
Baltic 175 was one of the shipyard's most technically advanced yachts at the time of her delivery, featuring fold-down balconies attached to the owner's suite and a collection of Cuban artwork on board. This refit follows the announcement that Baltic Yachts had begun construction on a new, high-performance cruising sloop, with exterior and interior design by Malcolm McKeon and Adam Lay Studio, respectively.
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