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Belgian Millionaire Parted With His Unique Toy, a Fully-Rebuilt Classic Superyacht

Berzinc is a fully-rebuilt yacht that's almost half-a-century-old 12 photos
Photo: Superyachts Monaco
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Berzinc is an unusual name for an unusual pleasure craft. Successfully operating as a popular charter yacht in the Mediterranean, Berzinc is actually an old vessel built in Spain decades ago. The one who turned it into a luxurious floating mansion recently said goodbye to the classic yacht, probably eager for another exciting project.
Berzinc isn't usually in the spotlight. Its alleged owner, the aviation millionaire Bernard Van Milders, was a discrete owner throughout the years. Still, it's thanks to him that the old Spanish vessel is now a beautiful superyacht.

At first glance, this sale doesn't seem to be too profitable for the Belgian entrepreneur. Berzinc's last known asking price was only €2,95 million (just over $3 million). Van Milders reportedly spent more than that for the full rebuild of the classic yacht. On the other hand, Berzinc has been operating as a luxury charter yacht for many years now, so we can assume that the investment was worth it overall.

The 44-meter (146-foot) yacht was born under the name of Cleopatra in 1977. To this day, it's the second-largest yacht delivered by the Spanish shipyard Astilleros de Mallorca. A new owner decided to take this pleasure boat to the next level three decades after its debut. Renamed Berzinc, the yacht underwent a progressive full rebuild.

The Balk Shipyard in the Netherlands, together with naval architect Navirex and exterior designer Felix Buitendjik, stripped the boat to bare metal. In addition to a longer hull, Berzinc got a new keel and new decks. The flybridge was also rebuilt, and a fully equipped crew area was added. It took years to complete the transformation of this classic yacht, which would also be refitted in 2022.

Today, Berzinc is a luxurious yacht that can welcome up to 12 guests in five elegant staterooms. The open-plan layout adds a contemporary touch, paired with a minimalistic, neutral color palette with bright accents. All the cabins include en-suite bathrooms and the latest entertainment systems. The master suite even boasts an extravagant bathroom that feels more like a private spa.

In addition to the elegant interiors, Berzinc is ideal for enjoying the natural surroundings. One of its most attractive new features is the oversized swim platform with a large swim ladder for easy access to the water. The sundeck is spacious enough for both sunbathing and dining in the open air. The skylounge acts as a second salon, perfect for sipping cocktails while taking in the lovely views.

Performance-wise, the nearly 50-year-old yacht can cruise smoothly at more than 10 knots (18.5 kph), powered by twin MTU engines. Already refitted last year, Berzinc will most likely continue its successful charter activity with luxury weekly rates of more than $90,000.
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About the author: Otilia Drăgan
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Otilia believes that if it’s eco, green, or groundbreaking, people should know about it (especially if it's got wheels or wings). Working in online media for over five years, she's gained a deeper perspective on how people everywhere can inspire each other.
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