The Conversion Process

Turning a proven hull into the expedition yacht you have imagined

Owner's Representation · Design · Engineering · Build Supervision · Delivery

Re-Imagine  ·  Re-Build  ·  Re-Discover

Register Your Interest How We Work
The Xplorer Approach

Realise the potential no one else can see

A conversion is far more than a technical upgrade. It is the transformation of a proven, ocean-tested hull into a yacht with new purpose, new value and a life of its own — and it rewards the owner who can see what others cannot.

If you bring the vision, the commitment and the drive to create something genuinely rare, Xplorer Yachts brings the technical mastery, the design partners and the worldwide yard relationships to make it real.

Every project is delivered on specification, in full class and flag compliance, and to a budget agreed in the open — with the engineering pedigree and design innovation that reward your vision for years to come. From feasibility and concept through engineering, build and delivery, we are your single, accountable partner in creating the yacht you have always imagined.

Re-imagine. Re-build. Re-discover.

From Feasibility to Handover

How we work

One accountable team carries your project from the first question to the maiden voyage — and stays on long after.

01

Feasibility & Technical Evaluation

Every conversion begins with understanding the vessel inside and out — hull integrity, propulsion adaptability, tankage, stability and environmental compliance. We also source the right platform — OSVs, research vessels, ice-class hulls and government tonnage — matched to your mission, so you decide with confidence.

02

Concept & Design Development

With your mission and lifestyle defined, our designers turn the platform's potential into a considered concept — respecting the original naval architecture while unlocking volume, light and living space no production yacht can offer.

03

Negotiation & Yard Selection

Independent, conflict-free advice on the right yard, anywhere in the world. We weigh technical capability, schedule and commercial terms, then negotiate to protect your interests.

04

Engineering & Structural Modifications

Every structural change is engineered to class and executed to design intent — preserving the integrity of a proven hull while it is re-imagined above the waterline.

05

Full Project Management & Scheduling

A resident team at the yard, robust scheduling, proactive problem-solving and constant owner communication — with all variation orders routed through us — keep the project on specification, in compliance and on budget.

06

Interior Design & Systems Integration

World-class interior design matched to your taste, with seamless integration of HVAC, AV/IT, lighting, propulsion and hybrid power — comfort and efficiency engineered as one.

07

Quality Control & Compliance

Rigorous inspection and testing against class rules, flag requirements and your own specification, so the finished yacht performs flawlessly and holds its value.

08

Sea Trials, Delivery & Handover

Comprehensive trials verify performance, safety and comfort; full documentation is handed over; owner and crew are supported into confident operation — with us on call long after delivery.

09

Crew & Ongoing Management

Crew selection and an ongoing management program — including charter management and advance bookings — so your yacht runs beautifully, and earns, for years.

Timeline

A typical conversion — eighteen months to sea trials

M 0–1
Acquisition

LOI · MOA · pre-purchase survey · escrow close. Vessel taken under owner control and delivered to the yard.

M 1–3
Design & Procurement

Designers and naval architect deliver the build set; long-lead items ordered; Class plan approved.

M 3–9
Steel & Systems

Stripping, blast, structural mods, helideck and deck rebuilds, machinery and propulsion overhaul.

M 9–15
Fit-Out

Off-site interior fabrication installed; soft goods, galley, AV, exterior teak; tenders and toys integrated.

M 15–18
Commissioning

Sea trials, Class survey, Flag inspection, MLC verification, crew assembly, owner delivery.

Typical Conversion Specification

The yacht — a typical owner's program

An outline of a typical owner's conversion brief. Every element is tailored to the owner's mission, tastes and budget; the following illustrates the standard and scope routinely achievable on a platform of expedition-yacht size.

Owner's Suite — Main Deck Forward

  • Private forward deck with on-deck jacuzzi (option)
  • Spacious owner's cabin, exclusively reserved for the owner
  • His & hers bathrooms — jacuzzi bath, showers and dressing area
  • Walk-in closets and owner's office
  • Private lounge and treatment / spa area
  • Adjacent owner's guest / VIP or staff quarters (option)

VIP Suite

  • Luxury cabin with a heightened sense of space
  • Spacious bathroom with jacuzzi bathtub
  • Private saloon attached to the cabin
  • Private access to exterior deck with on-deck dining
  • Desk and work area

Guest Cabins (6–8)

  • Boutique cruise-ship standard, grouped for efficient service
  • Identical modular dimensions for efficient fabrication
  • Spacious bathrooms; seating area with vanity and workspace
  • Flat-screen TVs and high-end entertainment throughout

Captain & Staff

  • Captain's cabin and head on the bridge deck with private office
  • 4 staff cabins (heli pilots, security) — guest-grade when required
  • Finished to boutique cruise-ship quality

Main Salon

  • Accommodates all guests; attached pantry and service area
  • Floor-to-ceiling glass; opens fully onto exterior decks
  • Bar — crew-served or self-serve; elevator accessible

Multi-Purpose Dining

  • Formal dining, privately serviced between pantries and galley
  • Converts to meeting / presentation space with hidden flat-screen
  • Adaptable to a multi-person office or work space

Forward Observation Lounge

  • Forward-facing sea lounge opening to a semi-open bow observation deck
  • Uninterrupted 180° views of the surrounding environment
  • Large forward-facing comfortable seating

Beach Club & Launch Zone

  • Transom beach club with fold-down balconies and water access
  • Excursion briefing and meeting zone for guests
  • Connects to the hangar / garage for tenders and toys
  • Optional side-opening hydraulic shell door

Wellness Centre

  • Full gym with top-end equipment; juice and health-drink bar
  • Massage room and beauty salon
  • Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and lounge zone
  • Dive gear, tanks, compressor, wet/drysuits and Sea Bobs
  • ROV with video link into the ship's entertainment system

Ship's Hospital

  • Dedicated medical facility for crew and guests
  • Conforming with an infectious-disease isolation plan

Tenders & Toys

  • Large tender for owner and guests; 2× rescue / crew RIB; ski boat
  • 4× jet skis; 8× paddleboards; 8× kayaks
  • Water slide; water skis and wakeboards

Aviation & Cinema

  • Twin-turbine-capable helicopter landing pad
  • Interior cinema / gaming room
  • On-deck cinema projection at night

Sun Deck & Pool

  • Sun pads, jacuzzi, bar and alfresco dining (crew or self-serve)
  • Ample shade with retractable awnings and/or arch; outside shower
  • Jet-stream infinity lap pool on the main deck / transom

Crew Quarters

  • Cabins for operating crew, hotel staff and mission specialists
  • Crew and officers' lounges, mess and crew laundry
  • Crew gym for well-being on extended passages
  • Single cabins for senior crew and engineers

Technical & Security

  • Propulsion and tankage for global range without marina support
  • Electronics and satellite communications (addressed separately)
  • Optional ballistic protection, underwater sonar and anti-hijacking systems
Interiors

Interior design & fabrication

We work with a broad spectrum of the industry's top interior designers, and will work with you to match your tastes and lifestyle with the right designer.

Interior fabrication is always done outside the shipyard and then brought to the vessel ready for installation. Again, we will link your project with the appropriate interior fabricator to match your tastes and your budget requirements.

Expedition yacht interior concept — main salon and barExpedition yacht interior concept — lounge and barExpedition yacht interior concept — sea-view loungeExpedition yacht interior concept — on-deck cinema at sunset

Interior concepts shown by Bassan & Benedetti, reproduced with credit — illustrative of the calibre of design partners we engage.

Pricing Philosophy

How conversion cost scales

A conversion lets the owner dial investment to ambition. The acquisition is a commercial-vessel price; the conversion scope is where a yacht-support refit becomes a global expedition yacht.

On Request
The Vessel — Market Ask

Commercial-vessel pricing fluctuates with charter and rental rates — indicative, subject to market

$10–20M
Conversion — Yacht Support

Safe, comfortable, capable expedition operation

$20–40M
Conversion — Global Expedition Yacht

Full owner-standard build and finish

Delivered well, a Restomod lands at roughly 20–40% of new-build replacement cost, with engineering pedigree no production yacht can match. A comparable purpose-built new build is 36+ months and a materially higher cost — conversion delivers a proven, in-class hull far sooner, with investment matched to the owner's mission and budget.

Next Steps

Tell us about the mission you have in mind

For full details on a vessel, pricing, and to arrange a WhatsApp call directly with Paul Madden, register your interest.

Register Your Interest Contact Paul Directly

Paul M. Madden · PM@XplorerYachts.com · +1 561-568-3430