PRECISION FINISH FOR AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST CHARTER SUPERYACHT
Australia’s Largest Charter Superyacht Chooses Awlgrip for Premium Refit Finish
MY Mischief receives first-class refinish using
Awlgrip HDT and Awlcraft 3000
Yachtsmiths Deliver Elevated Finish for MY Mischief
When the 54-meter superyacht MY Mischief underwent a full refit, only a world-class coating system could match its prestigious status.
Gold Coast-based finishing specialists Yachtsmiths selected Awlgrip® HDT and Awlcraft® 3000 to deliver exceptional gloss, durability, and long-term protection - the gold standard in yacht coatings.
Nine Months of Meticulous Refinishing Work
Spanning almost nine months, the transformation resulted in a remarkable high-gloss finish that exceeded the expectations of both the yacht’s owner and the refinishing team at Yachtsmiths.
“I’ve been working with AkzoNobel products for my entire career. I’d estimate that 90–95% of our projects involve AkzoNobel products, specifically the Awlgrip and Awlcraft lines,” - said Mitchell Zigenbine, one of the Directors at Yachtsmiths
“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. This ensures maximum performance and aligns with warranty systems.”
Precision at Every Stage: From Corrosion Repair to Flow Coats
“On MY Mischief, we spent six to seven months working inside the shed. Scaffolding went up in January 2024, and we began work shortly thereafter. In August, the yacht underwent a month-long water-based preparation process before the refit was completed and her first charter.”
While the original project scope focused on widespread corrosion mediation and a full refinish, the job evolved significantly.
“The owner made additional requests — including the removal of a few hundred through-hulls to prevent water ingress and addressing minor structural issues,” says Mitchell.
“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.”
Adapting Application Techniques to Environmental Shifts
“We started in warm, humid conditions and transitioned into Australia’s cooler winter months. Adjusting the mix of thinners allowed us to comply with the different temperature conditions and ensured consistent application quality.”
This temperature-specific adjustment kept the finish flawless across seasons.
“We also had the advantage of doing a preliminary application, using Awlgrip HDT as a ‘temperature-specific flow coat option, which allowed us to familiarize ourselves with the product before the final topcoat.”
“The main challenges were environmental fluctuations and meeting the coating acceptance criteria set by an independent inspector.”
An Australian First: Awlgrip HDT on a 50m+ Superyacht
The Mischief project is the first superyacht over 50 meters LOA in Australia to use Awlgrip HDT, a milestone for both Yachtsmiths and AkzoNobel.
“Projects usually come to us around the two to five-year mark, when vessels start showing service defects like corrosion or rust,” Mitchell explains.
“Depending on the owner’s time and budget, we handle either full-scale repaints or spot repairs.”
Partnership Powered by Innovation
The long-standing relationship between Yachtsmiths and AkzoNobel is built on mutual trust, technical expertise, and innovation — and continues to evolve with the launch of AkzoNobel’s Yacht Paint Application Center (YPAC) at Gold Coast City Marina.
“One area where we’re particularly excited to see further collaboration is through the use of their new YPAC training facility, which represents a fantastic opportunity to enhance our team’s skills and stay at the forefront of coating application techniques,” Mitchell says.
“We look forward to utilizing YPAC to gain hands-on experience with new products, refine our application methods, and deepen our understanding of AkzoNobel’s innovative solutions.”
“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.”
Products Used on MY Mischief
- Awlgrip® HDT - Delivers high-definition gloss, excellent repairability, and performance in real-world conditions
- Awlcraft® 3000 - Provides a durable, vibrant finish with long-term color and gloss retention
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