26 February 2013
Hoek Design in the Netherlands has announced the delivery of the first ever Pilot Classic 85. Built by the Dutch shipyard Aluboot for a Turkish client, Windhunter is a spectacular vessel in her own right as well as another superb example of the increasing trend for performance yachts in this style. Hoek Design’s ‘Pilot Classic’ concept is also currently being brought to fruition in even larger sizes in major custom builds at Royal Huisman.
Windhunter synthesises the finest in Dutch construction and design with impressive input from the owners and their representative Bora Kadikoy. The brief called for an 85-foot sailing yacht with an outstanding performance, flush decks, a plumb bow for a long waterline and the ability for the vessel to be sailed and maintained by a permanent crew of two. The yacht was to be classically styled above the water, with a lifting keel that stays below the interior floorboards in order to reduce draft for marinas. Carbon spars were chosen and the yacht was to be fast in light airs and in upwind conditions.
All this and more has been achieved by Hoek Design, which was responsible for the naval architecture, exterior styling, interior design and workshop drawings. The design was extensively optimised for performance and construction got underway at the Aluboot yard, which is specialised in aluminium sailing yachts and lifting keels. Windhunter is the sixth yacht from the boards of Hoek Design to be built at Aluboot, which has also gained enormous experience in the need for uncompromising quality by building vessels for the Dutch lifeboat organisation KNRM.
Hoek Design has been exploring classically styled yachts with a plumb bow since the late 1990s. The first yacht in this style was the 36 ft Tintel, launched in 2001. This exceptionally fast yacht started a new tradition of which Windhunter is the latest fine example.
Windhunter‘s hull is built in 5083 aluminium with longitudinal framing on transverse web frames in order to have a light and stiff hull construction. A recessed hydraulically operated side boarding ladder has been integrated in the construction and great emphasis given to reduce or eliminate corrosion where stainless steel parts join the aluminium construction for fairleads, deck drains and hatches. The yacht has an aluminium bowsprit and a high modulus carbon mast and V boom by Hall Spars with rod rigging.
Technically Windhunter is equipped with robust systems, hydraulic winches, simple electric installations, air-conditioning and all other systems one will expect to find on a superyacht of this length. The lifting keel is a development between Aluboot and Hoek Design which has previously been seen on other Truly Classic designs. It keeps the lifting mechanism below the floorboards, freeing up extra space interior for Windhunter’s social spaces.
The interior design was arranged by the Hoek office with soft furnishings by Esra Gunray from Istanbul. A classic but contemporary look combines mahogany panelling with off-white painted areas, leather floors in mahogany margins and subtle upholstery. The owner’s stateroom is located aft across the full beam. It includes ‘his & hers’ bathrooms, with a bathtub in the latter being a relatively rare feature onboard a yacht this size.
The stateroom is accessible via a cabin that can either be used as a walk-in closet or a spare guest cabin. The main deckhouse is home to the dining table while the lower saloon features an integrated galley. There are two guest cabins with ensuite bathrooms forward of the saloon with a decent crew cabin for two further forward. The crew cabin with an ensuite bathroom has access during bad weather from inside the bathroom and from on deck in normal conditions. A small crew mess and galley complete the picture on a boat that is meticulously thought through in every respect.
Windhunter was recently nominated for several International design awards.
Truly Classic 128's impress at SYC Palma 2025
4 July 2025
This year’s edition of Superyacht Cup Palma was a milestone event for Hoek Design’s Truly Classic line of sailing yachts, with three Truly Classic 128s making up more than half of the fleet in Class 1.
224ft Classic Ketch - Hull Turning
4 June 2025
We are proud to share the hull turning of our latest design, the 68-meter (224 ft) classic ketch currently under construction at Vitters Shipyard.
TC 78 Oroton Drumfire wins PHS 1 at the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
4 February 2025
The TC 78 “Oroton Drumfire” revelled again and won the 79th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in PHS 1 Class for the second year!
TC90-4 Joal launched spectacularly!
29 January 2025
A brand new Truly Classic 90 has been launched last Friday in Nieuwegein by Shipborn, a new yard developed by the owner who had her built.
Fifth Truly Classic 128 Linnea Aurora delivered
5 December 2024
SES Yachts, renowned Turkish builder of fully custom yachts, is pleased to announce the successful hand over of the Sailing Yacht Linnea Aurora, the latest and fifth Hoek-designed Truly Classic 128.
The 45m Retro Motoryacht has arrived in Monnickendam!
22 October 2024
We’re very pleased to see the hull and superstructure of the 45m Retro motoryacht at Royal Hakvoort in the historic Dutch town of Monnickendam.
Press Release: TC 128-5 Linnea Aurora launched
8 August 2024
The latest Hoek-designed Truly Classic 128 was launched recently by her builders SES Yachts in Istanbul, Turkey
The Superyacht Cup in Palma was a great success for the Hoek Design team
23 June 2024
Hoek Design excelled at the Superyacht Cup in Palma, with Svea and Vijonara winning their classes.
Press Release Hoek Design / SES Yachts
1 April 2024
We’re pleased to announce the launch of this great looking motor yacht, the 33m classically styled Far Niente.
Athos wins ISS Design award
1 November 2023
We're delighted to announce that Athos has been honored with the "Best Refit" Award at the "International Superyacht Society Awards of Distinction" in 2023.
Hoek Design is nominated as finalist for the ISS Design Awards in Ft Lauderdale
25 October 2023
We are very excited that three of our designs are nominated as finalist for the ISS Design Awards in Ft Lauderdale
Press Release 45m Hoek Design Superyacht
12 October 2023
Project YN 256: 45m Hoek Design superyacht sold and in-build at Royal Hakvoort Shipyard
Press Release Hoek/Vitters New 222ft Ketch
12 October 2023
Hoek Design and Vitters Shipyard sign contract for new 222ft ketch
Athos wins World Superyacht Award
24 May 2023
The Hoek Design team is very proud to announce that the 208ft schooner ‘Athos’ did win the prestigious “Best Refitted Sailing Yacht” Award
World Superyacht Awards 2023
12 May 2023
Boat International has announced the Finalists for the World Superyacht Awards 2023.
The Hoek Design yachts performed great in the St. Barth Bucket Regatta
22 March 2023
The St. Barth Bucket ended on a high for the Hoek Design yachts
BLUE II wins BI World Superyacht Award
7 September 2021
Last weekend the expedition motoryacht Blue II won the Boat International ‘World Superyacht Award’ for Motor Yachts between 500 and 1000 GT with an almost unanimous vote by the judges.
Three Hoek Designed yachts finalist in Boat International Design Awards
26 February 2021
We at Hoek Design are very honoured and proud to let you know that three of our latest launches have been selected as finalists.
