Japan has a long boatbuilding tradition, high standards of workmanship and a growing number of owners with yachts over 30 m. What it has fewer of is specialist teams who fair and topcoat superyachts to the reflective standard expected in Europe. Superyacht Painters Ltd fills that gap by sending an experienced fairing and painting team to the yacht, with over 40 years' experience behind it.
We are new to Japan and do not claim past projects there. Our team travels to Japan, we work globally, and your yacht can also come to us in Singapore, Thailand or Vietnam. What we bring is a record of yachts painted in 17 countries and a way of working built for projects away from home.
Who this is for
- Owners keeping a yacht in Japan who want a repaint without sending her overseas.
- Captains facing paint damage, fading or failing gloss who need an honest second opinion.
- Japanese yards and builders who want an experienced superyacht paint subcontractor for a refit or new build.
What we can do in Japan
- Paint condition surveys with adhesion tests and a written repair or repaint specification.
- Full fairing and longboarding before a new topcoat. How we fair a superyacht.
- Full repaints of hull, topsides and superstructure. About full repaints.
- Local repairs and metallic blending where the existing system is sound.
- Independent paint inspection when a Japanese yard does the work and the owner wants specialist oversight.
Choosing a paint system
Owners often ask whether to use Awlgrip or Alexseal. Both are excellent; the right choice depends on the existing coatings, the colour and how you plan to repair the paint in future. Our Awlgrip vs Alexseal guide explains the differences using the manufacturers' own information.
How we would run a project in Japan
- Desk review: photos, paint history and your window, reviewed in English.
- Survey trip: our team inspects the yacht and agrees the specification with the yard.
- Planning with the yard: cover, access, power and environmental control agreed before work starts.
- Mobilisation: a core team of experienced fairers and sprayers, working alongside local labour where suitable.
- Records: daily photos and paint application reports with temperature and humidity readings, so the owner can follow progress from anywhere.
Experience behind the team
Our fairing and painting record includes M/Y Leander G (75 m) and M/Y Indian Empress (95 m) in Awlgrip, M/Y Sea Pearl (60 m) in Alexseal, the new-build M/Y Kogo (72 m) in France and the Hyundai Yachts G40 (40 m) new build in South Korea. We also faired Vestas Sailrocket 2, which went on to set the outright world sailing speed record. Read the Sailrocket case study.
Frequently asked questions
Have you worked in Japan before?
Not yet, and we do not claim past projects there. Our team travels to Japan and works globally, or your yacht can come to us in Singapore, Thailand or Vietnam. Our nearest delivered project is in South Korea, the Hyundai Yachts G40 new build.
Can you work alongside a Japanese yard?
Yes. We can act as the paint subcontractor or as independent paint inspectors for the owner.
Can you communicate in Japanese?
Our project documents are in English. Contact us and we will discuss what support your yard or team needs.
Which paint brands do you apply?
Awlgrip, Alexseal, International, Jotun and Hempel.
Plan a project in Japan
Send us the yacht, her location and your window. Contact Superyacht Painters · info@yachtrefitasia.com · +66 (0)80 829 0122
Superyacht Painters Ltd, The Clock House, Western Court, Bishop's Sutton, Alresford, England SO24 0AA