Plenty of companies, yacht builders included, have long-term vision plans. How many actually fulfill all of their expectations, of course, is another story. Moonen Shipyards is one that has. While it was founded in Holland in the 1980s to build inland steel cruisers, mostly for Dutch owners, in 1998 it decided to create a series of displacement yachts for a wider client base. That series would encompass a 72, an 84, a 94, and a 114, each of which would gradually be introduced to the marketplace. Moonen had always been a low-volume builder, and it believed that served it well.
Fast forward to today, and there are only two changes to the initial idea: making the 94 a 96, and making the 114 a 124. While other Dutch yards have ventured into the super-size superyacht realm, Moonen has remained squarely focused on the under-500-gross-tons category. The management staff likes to call its vessels “pocket-size superyachts,” emphasizing the smaller scale yet still calling attention to comfort and luxury. Judging from two onboard tours I had of Northlander, the first 124, the philosophy remains intact.
Northlander actually started life as Snow White, but the global economic crisis impacted the European owner, and he decided to sell a few months prior to delivery. Moonen found new owners, from Canada – its first North American-based clients. A few minor décor items changed in the process, but the layout remained intact.
One layout feature that Northlander shares with many yachts in her size range is a combination saloon-dining area. However, Moonen avoids the spaces from becoming bowling-alley-like. The saloon is circular in shape, and a TV cabinet separates it from the dining area. Originally on Snow White, the cabinet, centered in the room, was large enough to give the sense of being a wall, without making either space feel cramped. It’s been replaced with a more traditional pop-up TV cabinet, still allowing people to flow from one spot to the other.
Additionally keeping the dining area in particular from feeling cramped: being open to the forward foyer and curving staircase. The staircase leads up to the wheelhouse and sundeck as well as down to the staterooms and is adorned with copper, lending an artistic element.
Also artistic, in a whimsical way: a hammock in the master suite (above), forward on the main deck. It’s outboard to starboard. Sure, there’s a king-size bed, too… but why not have fun with your relaxation zone and make the most of the views while at sea?
Speaking of which, check out the twist on the traditional skylounge. Moonen and Art-Line Interiors, which works with the yard on many of its projects, made an alfresco lounge instead. It’s shaded from the flying bridge above and has windows to each side, remaining fully open aft.
Equally clever is the “mushroom” (above) yielding access to the flying bridge. The spiral staircase mentioned previously allows guests and crew alike to reach the teak-decked area, which features a dining area and Jacuzzi. But instead of installing a traditional staircase topped by a sliding glass hatch, Moonen employs a pop-up roof/skylight. It’s something you wouldn’t expect to see.
Moonen recognizes that crew comfort, whether at rest or at work, is a key component in its yachts. Northlander provides wing stations, wide side decks, a workbench and sink in the engine room, and three good-size crew cabins, each with private heads. But what really grabbed my attention was the wheelhouse. Take a good look at the photo below: This is not a typical helm. Actually, that’s not true. During my first onboard tour, a press trip sponsored by HISWA, a captain hired to take us on a river cruise explained that the layout was akin to that of a commercial boat. He also said it works well. Six navigation and communication displays are mounted individually in vertical, leather-covered panels. The captain’s chair is surrounded aft and to each side by various controls, alarm buttons, and a phone. The setup makes the wheelhouse feel far larger than it is, because there’s no full-beam, wide dashboard eating up space.
Novel thinking like this makes Moonen’s deliveries worth an additional look. American buyers are just starting to do that, so we expect more to follow.
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