Modern living on the same level with a combined decksaloon and galley plus an easily-managed sailplan were two of the prerequisites for this long distance, fast cruising yacht.
The client chose a more contemporary look for this 23m ketch with an attractive bow shape and built-in bowsprit plus a relatively wide reverse counter opening into a lazarette big enough to accept a RIB when the yacht is undertaking long passages.The client was keen to buy a secondhand yacht and spent time chartering in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, but eventually came to Hoek Design for a new boat in which all his ideas could be incorporated.
A key design feature is the deck saloon, which combines a large comfortable seating and dining area with a large galley to starboard. There’s also a navigation and control station to port of the companionway leading from the large cockpit. This means the below decks area is used almost exclusively for sleeping accommodation with the owner’s double cabin right forward, a double guest cabin and lower saloon area further aft and two large guests cabins aft of the deck saloon. All cabins have their own head and shower compartments.
The ketch rig option was important for the client who wanted relatively small individual sails to control, but with a fixed bowsprit for Code and A sails plus the opportunity of setting a mizzen staysail, this boat has plenty of off-wind power if required. She is designed with a huge cockpit with an abundance of comfortable seating either side of the mizzen step and a big sun bathing area abaft the twin wheels. All sail trimming winches are within easy reach of the helmsman.
The aluminium construction started after the summer break in 2017 at Aluboot in the Netherlands, a yard we worked with on 7 previous projects, the last one being the 85 ft Pilot Classic Windhunter. Our office is responsible for all naval architecture, exterior and interior design.