When Darcy Hinds and Yvette Bretz met on an Australian beach in 2019, they made an unexpected promise on their third date: one day, they would sail around the world together.
Today, the couple have successfully sailed a large portion of their bucket list, including the Mediterranean coast and the Caribbean, accumulating more than 80,000 YouTube subscribers on their channel Sailing Supernova in the process. Their journey has taken them from a chance meeting to full-time life at sea.
Earlier this year, they took on one of their most ambitious projects yet. After purchasing a 62ft Lagoon catamaran in Portugal, they discovered extensive hidden damage beneath an ageing vinyl wrap.
Darcy said: “We couldn’t believe the state of the boat when we peeled back the vinyl. We knew we had a massive job on our hands, and that the wrong products risked making it even worse.”
Hauling out in Mallorca meant yard fees running into thousands of dollars each week, making time critical to their project. As a young couple funding the refit themselves, they needed a reliable coatings system that would save both time and money, along with expert guidance to ensure the work was completed within four weeks.
After being “blown away” by the quality Micron® 99 by International® during a restoration of a past vessel, they knew AkzoNobel would be the ones to supercharge their project. They were connected with Jason Hill, Technical Service Representative, whose expertise quickly proved essential in helping them complete a full topside and underwater restoration in a tight four-week window.
Jason helped them prioritise their workflow, determine what could be salvaged and needed to be rebuilt, and plan the project to avoid delays. His support helped the couple avoid common mistakes and remain confident in each step of the process.
As the old repairs were exposed, they found the beginnings of blistering in several areas. To stabilize these sections properly, Darcy used Gelshield® 200, a quick drying and easy to apply epoxy primer, which he deemed to be “crucial” to completing the project in a tight timeframe, repairing blistering in several areas.
Without any records of the previous antifouling system, they chose Primocon® as a fast drying, one-part primer below the water line to avoid stripping back the entire bottom and saving days of sanding.
For long-term underwater performance, they applied Micron 99, a multi-seasonal coating, for a strong antifouling protection against slime, aquatic plants and animals. Having already experienced the proven performance of Micron products on their previous boat, they trusted the coating to deliver multiple years of protection in the water, eliminating the need for frequent haul-outs.
The final stage of the refit was the most transformative. Using Perfection® Pro, International® created a custom Supernova Pink colour, inspired by the distinctive look of the couple’s previous boat.
Darcy said: “I was shocked by the shine we achieved with Perfection Pro; it’s just a dream.
“You could see a clear reflection in the hull, which is unbelievable for a roll-on application – it came out looking phenomenal.”
Impressively, despite applying the coating by roller rather than spray, the finish delivered a gloss level that surprised both those nearby and Sailing Supernova’s online audience. Yvette said many viewers “refused to believe” the topcoat had been rolled until they saw the footage. Even in a yard filled with multi-million dollar superyachts, workers stopped to admire the newly finished catamaran, with one staff member even video calling his child to show her the result.
The complete refit took place within four weeks. Darcy and Yvette believe the technical support they received from International® saved them at least a week of work and, therefore, thousands of dollars in yard fees. More importantly, it allowed them to leave Mallorca in time to continue their journey towards Portugal, Gibraltar and eventually the Canary Islands to prepare for their first Atlantic crossing.
Darcy said: “When you are paying thousands every week to be in a boatyard, each day matters.
“Jason kept us focused on the steps that really counted and helped us avoid mistakes that would have set us back massively. With his support, we worked faster, avoided redoing work and knew we were using the right products in the right way.
“There is no chance we would have finished this refit in four weeks without that level of expertise.”
With the boat restored, Sailing Supernova are now focused on their next chapter. They have launched their own charter business, offering guests the chance to experience life aboard the newly rebuilt yacht in the Caribbean. Long term, the couple plan to continue westwards and eventually complete a full circumnavigation, closing the loop on a journey that began with a single question on their third date.
For more information visit www.international-yachtpaint.com
