Custom Solutions for a Complete ReCraft
Situation
When the motor yacht Ursus departed the Netherlands in late 2025, she bore little resemblance to the vessel that had arrived at Balk Shipyard in late 2023. The leaner, more masculine profile, the explorer-style wing stations, and beneath the aesthetic upgrades was a complete overhaul of the technical spaces. She had been completely ReCrafted.
While what could be preserved was kept, the vessel that left the yard was, in essence, a brand-new yacht. A major part of her ReCraft hinged on a 6-metre extension. By increasing her length to 30.38 metres, Ursus not only looked more contemporary, thanks to the redesigned styling by Mulder Design, but also benefited from improved stability, comfort, and performance.
As part of this upgrade, Veth Propulsion supplied a compact thruster solution that could be integrated beneath the beach deck, perfectly aligning with the yacht’s new configuration.
Problem
This was not simple. With the vessel being lengthened and modernised, the design of the propulsion system had to evolve alongside these changes. We needed to develop a thruster solution that would seamlessly integrate into Ursus whilst she underwent significant modifications.
Together with Balk Shipyard, we carefully coordinated how the thrusters and bow thruster would fit into the new layout, ensuring that the system aligned perfectly with the redesigned hull and repositioned engine room. Since this was one of the first projects requiring a smaller ELITE™ Series thruster, we used this opportunity to adapt it to the same high standards as our larger models.
To achieve this, we refined the design with 3D-printed flow parts that brought the VL-250si-CR up to the latest ELITE™ specifications, ensuring optimal hydrodynamic efficiency. We also fitted the thrusters with specially developed Rolla Class S propellers featuring six and seven blades, a configuration specifically chosen to minimise noise and vibrations while delivering the highest level of onboard comfort.
Throughout the process, we synchronised timing and installation with the shipyard’s schedule, and the collaboration ensured that all technical and design aspects came together naturally to deliver the best possible result.
Solution
Veth Propulsion delivered two ELITE™ Series thrusters for Ursus, type VL-250si-CR. The “CR” denotes contra-rotating propellers, which significantly reduce noise and vibrations, while “si” stands for semi-integrated, ensuring the thrusters fit compactly within the yacht’s design without compromising valuable deck space.
To complement this, a Veth Tunnel Thruster, type VT-50 with a noise optimised propeller, was installed, providing additional manoeuvrability and further noise reduction. The yacht was also equipped with four control stations: a main station on the bridge, two wing stations, and a unique flybridge station, which was developed as a second full master station. These stations were linked with electronically synchronised levers, allowing effortless transfer of control between positions.
We adapted our thrusters to fit into the existing foundations, minimising structural modifications for the shipyard. This flexibility, combined with advanced noise reduction, delivered a propulsion system that was compact, quiet, and highly efficient.
Result
The collaboration between Veth Propulsion and Balk Shipyard resulted in an effective integrated propulsion system that met the demanding specifications of Ursus‘ complete transformation. The compact ELITE™ Series thrusters, combined with our specially developed propeller configuration, ensured minimal noise and vibration, critical factors for a motor yacht of this calibre.
By adapting our technology to fit existing foundations and synchronising our delivery with the shipyard’s ambitious timeline, we enabled Ursus to depart on schedule as a thoroughly modernised vessel that maintained the comfort and performance standards expected by her owners.
