Superyacht Builder Christensen Shipyards Readies Move to Tennessee: American yacht builder Christensen Shipyards is getting ready to move its entire operation to a new facility in Tellico Lake, TN, about 15 miles from Knoxville Airport. The move has been in the works for about 15 years for the shipyard currently based in Vancouver, WA.
The move was delayed for a variety of reasons that included the Great Recession, a subsequent decline in yacht orders, temporary suspension of operations in 2014 and the eventual sale of the yard in 2015.
Once under new ownership and debt-free, Christensen regained steady grown with the delivery of Silver Lining and Chasseur, which won a Judges’ Special Award for Achievement at the 2017 World Superyacht Awards. Hull 38, a sister ship to Silver Lining already in build, was sold to a new client in 2018.
Christensen found the type of high-volume yachts with beach clubs that many clients currently want were impossible to build in the current Vancouver yard, which only allowed the construction of 9.1-meter beams. Shed dimension also limited length to 50 meters and made painting difficult, time consuming and expensive. Launching yachts in the shallow Columbia River also limited the size of yachts that Christensen could deliver.
The new owners had intended to continue production at both locations, but the settlement in February of lingering litigation related to the company’s sale gave new impetus to the move. Christen must be out of its rented Vancouver facility by August as Vigor Industrial will take over the shipyard to build U.S. Army vessels at that time.
Hull 38, a 49.4 meter, 580GT yacht is several weeks away from delivery, while the partially built Hull 42 will be shipped to Tennessee for completion.
Access to the Vancouver yard was also a challenge for owners and captain. The Tennessee yard provides easier access for clients on a tight schedule. The size of the new facility, however, is its biggest advantage. Sheds will allow construction of yachts up to 67 meters and there is also room to expand to a separate building for metal construction of even larger vessels.
The new yard, which is about 90% complete, is located to a cluster of sportfishing boatbuilders in Tennessee. That area produces more fiberglass work than any other area, which could prove advantageous.
Christensen has offered to allow its employees to relocate, but it’s not known how many will take advantage of the offer.
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