In a world of its own
That's the start. The rest of the boat is finished just as professionally.
The main saloon is in a world of its own. It exudes class, with superb cherry wood cabinetwork that has obviously been installed by craftsmen. The layout is fairly standard for what has come to be expected of a Pilothouse cruiser, including the two freestanding armchairs. The owner can opt for built-in furniture and a personalised layout—it's as easy as working with the in-house design team.
The u-shaped galley is separate, up from the main saloon and behind the lower helm station. The bench tops are Corian and instead of continuing the teak and holly floor from the pilothouse, the designers have finished the floor in Corian as well. Opposite the galley is a small desk with a pull-out stool underneath.
The lower helm station runs across the full width of the windscreen and has the feeling of a small ship about it. The electronic package is up to the owner—no electronics have been installed in the console, instead Furuno has supplied full-size colour images of its plotter/sounders and radars that have been placed on the console, so a new owner can see how the screens will look. It's a good idea and something other electronics suppliers might consider.
read on below advertisement Downstairs, the owner's stateroom is located amidships and takes advantage of the full 18ft 2in (5.5m) beam. The cabin is fully panelled and has a warm, welcoming feeling. It's obvious the craftsmen have been at work here, too. The cabinetwork is gloss teak with a burl finish on the bedside tabletops, the vanity table and it's swing-out stool, and the portholes are disguised behind Japanese-style screens. The Cantaloupi reading lights either side of the mirrored bedheads add to the ambience.
Another feature is the cedar-lined walk-in wardrobe; it is more of a dressing room, it is so roomy. The burl highlights are continued in the ensuite as well, which also has an overhead mirror in the ceiling. It's a funny feeling at first to walk into the ensuite and see your reflection above you—but you soon get used to it. The shower is unusual, too. As well as the regular shower head there are five nozzles at various heights on the water inlet. I'll leave that to your imagination.
The guest cabin is also fully panelled, as is the third cabin, which contains two Pullman-style bunks.
Access to the flybridge is either by a flight of stairs from the cockpit or an internal staircase opposite the galley. There is plenty of room up there for entertaining and instead of the usual vinyl that gets hot despite being under a hardtop, the lounges are finished in a woven fabric.
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