Dutch shipyard Vitters has finished an extensive refit on the 41.55-metre J Class sailing yacht Ranger at Zwartsluis facility. The vessel’s official launch will take place in Zaandam, where she is heading. Following her sea trials in the North Sea, she will depart for the Carribean to get ready for another racing season.

Built in 2003 by Danish Yachts, the vessel was sold in 2018 asking EUR 5.9 million. Following one-year-long refit works on the racer comprised a full overhaul of the engine room; installation of a new hydraulic system; upgraded navigation and communication systems; rigging service. What is more, a new teak deck, cockpit and helm station along with repainting have been added to Ranger’s hull.

The 120GT sloop sailing yacht, Ranger features naval architecture by Fred Elliot and interiors by Glade Johnson Design. Her initial exterior design came from the boards of the US duo Sparkman & Stephens and W Starling Burgess.

According to the owner’s representative Greg Sloat, Ranger will now be preparing for the America’s Cup in New Zealand in 2021. He added:
The Vitters team proved to be exceptionally flexible with many skilled and creative employees. What I especially enjoyed was the teamwork between the yard and the crew of the boat. Vitters offered us the possibility to work in the evenings and Saturdays, and provided us with everything we needed to finish the job in time.