To better support American clientele, Balk Shipyard has brought Rick Thomas aboard as its U.S. sales representative.
The Holland-based yard traces its roots to 1798, when Sijbrand Balk bought a boatbuilding site in Elburg, The Netherlands. Later moving to the city of Urk, the yard employed seven consecutive generations of Balk family members. (The family sold the company a few years ago.) Initially, Balk Shipyard built wooden fishing boats, soon adding wooden ship repair. In the late 1930s, construction switched to steel vessels, with yachts becoming a new focus, too, due to the declining fishing industry. Its yachting customers represented a mix of its own clients and fellow builders, since it served as a subcontractor. From the late 20th century through the last decade, Balk Shipyard pursued both refit projects and new builds. It has prioritized refit for the last several years.
Specifically, the size range it focuses on is 98 to 213 feet (30 to 65 meters). It pursues both refits and more detailed rebuilds, like that of the yacht Ursus. These more complex refits are what Balk Shipyard prefers to calls “ReCraft” projects. They’re transom-to-bow and bilge-to-bridge alterations that simultaneously preserve the yacht’s original character.
“With increasing interest from U.S.-based owners in European refit options, it was important for us to establish a knowledgeable and trusted point of contact in the American market,” says Evan Kortmann, the yard’s CEO. “Rick brings decades of experience across yacht construction, refit, and owner representation, along with a deep understanding of U.S. client expectations.”
Thomas, serving as an independent consultant and based in Fort Lauderdale, has more than 40 years’ experience in yachting and maritime. He founded Nautical Structures, for instance. Through his company Rick Thomas Yachting Development, he’s managed new builds and connected international companies with American customers. Furthermore, he hosts Yachting USA, an industry-focused podcast.
Thomas will support owners’ teams during preliminary evaluation and planning stages. Referring to the shipyard’s approach, he notes, “They don’t chase novelty for its own sake. They take yachts with soul, history, and pedigree—and make them stronger, smarter, and ready for the future.” Furthermore, “Balk Shipyard is experienced, technically capable, and deeply hands-on, precisely the kind of shipyard many owners are actively looking for,” he says.
Balk Shipyard balkshipyard.com
U.S. sales for Balk Shipyard rick.thomas@balkshipyard.com