The American yacht refit market is getting called “soft” more often lately, and we wanted to talk about what that actually means when you’re running projects, advising owners, or trying to keep a yard busy year-round. From the Palm Beach Boat Show, host Kristina Hebert digs into the signals being seen on the ground and in the headlines, and why a slowdown can also be a moment to reset the story and the strategy.

Kristina Hebert is joined by Diane Byrne of MegaYacht News and Patrick Knowles of Patrick Knowles Design to compare the U.S. and Europe, including how “refit” gets defined and why that definition matters for owners, advisors, and the wider superyacht industry. The trio gets practical about what drives long-term competitiveness for American refit shipyards, especially in South Florida and other waterfront hubs: steady project flow, clearer messaging, and confidence that the skilled labor is there when timelines get tight.

From maritime prosperity zones to protecting the working waterfront, they explore how policy and planning can support yacht refit and repair businesses before development pressure erases the space the industry needs to operate. The conversation zooms in on the biggest constraint of all: the next generation of marine trades. Welding, electrical, joinery, and every hands-on specialty are the backbone of refit, and we talk about apprenticeships, vocational programs, and the simple power of telling craftspeople’s stories with consistency and pride.

If you care about the future of American yacht refit, listen through and join the conversation. Subscribe to the Wards Way Podcast, share this with someone in the marine industry, and leave a review!

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