Come summertime 2019, a European planning long-distance sailing will embark on his first journey aboard this yacht. Designed by Hoek Design, she measures 76’8” (23.4 meters). Remarkably, besides this Hoek 76 ketch being entirely custom, she has an unexpected interior layout.
The cruiser is in build at Aluboot, a Dutch shipyard focusing on all-aluminum custom construction. Also focusing on 40- to 85-footers, (12.2- to 26-meters), Aluboot dates to 1975. The owner wanted an aluminum hull especially for safety. While hoping for the best, of course, he knows he may have run-ins with floating or semi-submerged objects.
The Hoek 76 ketch features styling, naval architecture, and interior design from the Dutch design studio. Inside, she’ll look quite modern, with contrasting tones. Brushed white oak will line the walls, while dark oak will lie underfoot. What really stands out, though, is how the galley is essentially the center of the action. Indeed, the owner wanted the chef to be as much of the focus inside the deckhouse as the typical creature comforts are. This in large part explains why the Hoek 76 ketch is fully custom. Therefore, the galley, dining area, and saloon all flow from one to the other. With a beam of 19’7” (6 meters), the Hoek 76 ketch also makes the aft cockpit feel part of the space.
In yet another unusual move, the owner wants one of the two guest staterooms to double as a crew cabin when needed. Both are aft, though the one doing double duty has a head that in turn leads to the engine room. When accommodating friends or family, the stateroom complements an amidships guest stateroom, plus the owner’s stateroom.
Meant for quick, simple sailing, the Hoek 76 ketch has a 3,100-square-foot (288-square-meter) sail area and lifting keel. Hoek Design says the latter especially aids upwind performance. In fact, the studio asserts the sailing superyacht will be akin to—if not perform better than—a yacht with a fixed keel. Naturally, the lifting keel allows accessing some shallow waters, too. With the keel up, draft is 8’2” (2.5 meters). With it down, draft is 14’8” (4.5 meters).
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