Slow Poke: A rebirth

It makes sense that the American owner of the 27.5m Slow Poke (ex-Coy Koi) is a vintage enthusiast. When his love of repurposing classic cars, planes and buildings spilled into yachting, he spent two years searching for the right boat to refit. His key stipulations were for a no-nonsense pocket explorer of around 100 feet in length with Dutch pedigree. Naturally, the heritage Doggersbank platform—a full displacement, all-steel, seaworthy vessel— ticked all his boxes

Built in 2000 and forming part of Kuipers’ Doggersbank long-range explorer series, the strong signature looks and capability of the Vripack-designed Doggersbank made it an appealing platform for the young and adventurous owner. He purchased the boat sight unseen and quickly embarked on a 2.5-year retro refit updating the vessel to suit his American lifestyle.

“I’m involved in a lot of design led projects and sit on the board of a design school, and for me, the Doggersbank is an example of the best packaging design in all of yachting,” he says.

Slow Poke pairs the comfort and performance of a 40m superyacht with a smaller crew and reduced running costs. It boasts a solid hull shape, steel construction and aluminium superstructure. In 2018, Coy Koi underwent an extensive mechanical refit that saw the engines and generators rebuilt, and new electronics installed along with a new pilothouse. This latest $8m refit, which took place at Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center and completed in 2024, was far more extensive and involved stripping the boat back in full.

Maintaining the integrity of the holistic original design was integral to the success of the project, and the owner, a keen yachtsman and accomplished pilot, engaged Vripack to address new naval architecture requirements that arose from his desire for increased speed and efficiency.

“One thing that I immediately wanted to do was increase hull speed,” he explains. “In addition, from my experience of boats, I find I spend the most time on the swim platform, so that area was important to me in terms of renovation.”

The refit saw a 2.5m hull extension that facilitated a fully functioning swim platform with hydraulic swim steps and an elevated stern. The modification, which included a carefully CFD optimised bulbous bow, resulted in an extra 2 knots of speed and 10% less fuel burn. “Slow Poke now has a platform that allows us to engage with the water easily and freely while we explore.”

The yacht’s original design incorporated a split-level flybridge with seating, a bar, intimate dining and views of the cruising destination, as well as a large aft deck for morning coffees and evening cocktails. The enlarged swim platform adds another layer of multifunctional convenience. It enhances the guest experience when either landing from the tender or getting in and out of the water. There’s more space to relax and sunbathe on board, and room for a new outdoor heated shower. It has also enhanced crew service and function when preparing watersports and toys for guests.

As with all refits, the changes were not without their challenges. The introduction of a new bulbous bow, which reduces resistance along the waterline, brought its fair share of engineering complexities, not least because it now incorporates underwater lighting and a glass window with cameras—in honour of Jack Cousteau—that allows guests to view marine life from screens in the guest cabins and bridge.

Other changes include the refurbishment of all exterior decks, lighting and woodwork. A new exterior paint job saw the hull painted in black with a distinguished British racing green stripe, while the sun awning received a custom artwork by artist (and friend) Paul Kremer. “I find his paintings to be very calming and have one of his paintings in every space that I inhabit,” says the owner. Other artworks by Houston-based artists, including Julian Schnabel and Howard Hughes, add true personalisation to the interior.

The original interior architecture by Vripack—layout, walls, floors and technical integration—remains virtually unchanged, while the new interior design by New York-based Redd Kaihoi brings an impactful high-gloss retro feel to the yacht. Bold blues, greens—even black in the main salon—are paired with original cherry wood panelling, mouldings and trims to create a warm and cozy ambience with a high-end residential feel and custom finishes. The wow factor is saved for the master bedroom, which is colour matched to the owner’s 1952 Porsche 356A bumper. Slow Poke sleeps a total of six guests in three ensuite cabins.

“The goal was to have everything you get in a 50m Feadship, even down to the yacht’s original three-inch handrails,” says the owner, who, since taking delivery, has enjoyed cruising the West Coast, from Mexico to the Pacific Northwest. “It’s important to be able to feel the ocean when aboard yet be safe in the knowledge that the boat’s durable enough to be seaworthy.

“For me, Slow Poke is the perfect three night boat,” he adds. “It provides the type of tranquillity that you can’t get with a bigger boat. Even when I’m an hour from my house, I choose to stay aboard Slow Poke because it’s so calming, pleasant and peaceful.”