A Fitting Location for the Gathering
This year’s annual meeting of the Elling Association & Network took place at the Willemdok in Antwerp. The location, combining maritime heritage with modern facilities, provided a fitting backdrop for an event centered around innovation in yacht ownership.
Elling Yachting has long built a reputation for its ocean-class motor yachts. Known for their efficiency, seaworthiness, and comfort in demanding conditions, these vessels attract owners who value both engineering and reliability. The annual gathering offers them an opportunity to exchange experiences and explore new developments relevant to their yachts.
Background of the demonstration
The idea to present EXOCOAT® Ceramic+ originated from practical experience within the association itself. After one of the members reported very positive long-term results with the coating, Axcentive partnered with Butler Yacht Services to demonstrate the product during the event.
Rather than presenting it indoors, the choice was made to demonstrate the coating under real conditions, on an operational yacht. This allowed attendees to assess both the method and the outcome directly.
Presentation and Live Application
The introduction took place outdoors on the harbourmaster’s terrace. Stijn Meijers of Axcentive and Ronald Van Prooijen from Butler Yacht Services explained the main benefits of EXOCOAT® Ceramic+:
– Protection against UV radiation, salt exposure, and oxidation
– Restoration of colour depth and high gloss
– Creation of a hydrophobic surface that simplifies cleaning
Before and After: Visible and Measurable Results
The stern of the yacht clearly showed the effects of long-term exposure to the marine environment. Before treatment, reflectivity measurements were as low as 4%, confirming the need for restoration.
The application process included careful cleaning, polishing, and degreasing, followed by applying and buffing the coating—fully visible to the attendees.
The results were both immediate and significant:
– Gloss levels increased to 97%
– The restored surface reflected the sky with near mirror-like clarity
– Water beaded instantly, demonstrating strong hydrophobic performance
Long-Term Performance in Practice
While immediate results are important, long-term durability is what ultimately matters. Here, the experience of Ad van Mierlo, chairman of the Elling Association, provided valuable confirmation.
His yacht was treated with EXOCOAT® Ceramic+ more than 18 months ago, and the coating continues to deliver excellent protection, gloss retention, and ease of maintenance under real operating conditions.
