When it came to refinishing the 54m Mischief superyacht, only a world-class coating system could match its status. Yachtsmiths, the Gold Coast-based superyacht finishing company, selected Awlgrip® HDT and Awlcraft® 3000 to achieve the gold standard in superyacht coatings for superior gloss, durability and long-term protection.

Spanning almost nine months of meticulous work in 2024, the result was a remarkable high-gloss finish that met the highest expectations of both the owner and the yacht finishing professionals at Yachtsmiths.

Mitchell Zigenbine, a co-owner and Director at Yachtsmiths, said he has been working with AkzoNobel products for his entire career and estimated that 90-95 per cent of the company’s projects involve AkzoNobel products, specifically the Awlgrip and Awlcraft lines.

“Once we decide on the paint system for a project, we stick with that brand throughout, whether it’s etch priming, fairing or top coating,” he said. “This ensures maximum performance and aligns with warranty systems.”

Shed work on Mischief began in January – the height of the Australia summer – and lasted over half a year. In August, the yacht underwent a month-long water-based preparation process, before the refit was completed and she underwent her first charter.

“Our original scope of work included widespread corrosion mediation and a full refinish, but as the project progressed, the owner made additional requests. These included the removal of a few hundred through-hulls to prevent water ingress and addressing minor structural issues,” Zigenbine said.

“The hull and topsides didn’t require significant repair work, but the extra requests added complexity. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and we were thrilled with the results.”

Also adding complexity was the changes in weather over the nine-month period, with the team beginning its work in the warm, humid months before transitioning into the cooler winter for the final stages.

“Adjusting the mix of thinners allowed us to comply with the different temperature conditions and ensured consistent application quality. We also had the advantage of doing a preliminary application, using Awlgrip HDT as a flow coat option, which allowed us to familiarise ourselves with the product before the final topcoat,” Zigenbine said.

“The main challenges were environmental fluctuations and meeting the coating acceptance criteria set by an independent inspector.”

As the first 50m-plus superyacht in Australia to be coated with Awlgrip HDT, Mischief remains a highlight for the Yachtsmiths business, which employs 50 people in Queensland and primarily focuses on refits and repair projects.

“Projects usually come to us around the two-five year mark, when vessels start showing service defects like corrosion or rust,” Zigenbine said. “Depending on the owner’s time and budget, we handle either full-scale repaints or spot repairs.”

The successful refit of Mischief reflects the long-standing partnership between the two organisations, founded on mutual trust, innovative solutions and technical expertise. 

The relationship between the team at Yachtsmiths and AkzoNobel is strengthening even further following the launch of the Yacht Paint Application Center (YPAC) at Gold Coast City Marina in Coomera in October 2024. The state-of-the-art facility delivers world-class technical training and showcases the latest in digital paint application technology.

“We’re particularly excited to see further collaboration at the YPAC training facility, which allows us to enhance our team’s skills and stay at the forefront of coating-application techniques. We look forward to utilising YPAC to gain hands-on experience with new products, refine our application methods, and deepen our understanding of AkzoNobel’s innovative solutions,” Zigenbine said.

“It’s a fantastic step forward for the industry, offering much-needed training and skill development. Our collaboration with AkzoNobel has been instrumental in our growth, and we look forward to strengthening that relationship further.”

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