Cockpit

Boarding the windhawk is a simple matter of stepping over a low, aft gunwale – either from the jetty or the swim platform – into a very spacious cockpit.

There is plenty of room here for all sorts of activities – fishing, diving, al fresco dining or even a romantic, moonlight shuffle to Alker Bilk’s soaring clarinet. For some reason – and I suspect it’s because the very low cockpit sole puts you closer to the water level – you feel more pleasantly ‘’attuned’’ to the environment.

Set into synthetic teak decking are two Lewmar hatches (lazarette storage for mooring lines and fenders) and another, much larger hatch in the centre of the cockpit provides access to a huge storage hold. Brass and bronze cockpit fittings underscore the classical styling.

To port, a solid iroko ladder (with a stainless steel handrail) leads up to the flybridge – a large area that’s geared primarily for storing a three metre inflatable. A locker under the flybridge stairs includes storage of outboard fuel and gas bottles, and a small hand basin with a H/C mixer.

Up on the flybridge, a purpose-designed aluminium tower and davit (fitted with a self-tailing Lewmar winch) launches and retrieves the inflatable.

The tower’s also the mounting point for the Simrad radar’s dome unit and VHF aerial. With the inflatable launched, the flybridge converts into a spacious sun-bathing platform.

Access to the foredeck (from the cockpit) is along fairly narrow sidedecks. Their width is a trade-off (the upside is a very roomy saloon), and you have to crab along sideways. But a robust, stainless steel handrail provides plenty of physical and psychological support.

In keeping with the traditional styling, the foredeck sits within a flared bow and high gunwales, suggesting a seaworthy boat that stays dry. The business end of the foredeck boasts a Lewmar electric windlass and 35lb Delta anchor with 75m of 8mm chain. It’s controlled buy a foot-operated pedal, with a chrome bollard.

Saloon and Galley

Fully-opened, the two, full-length iroko and glass doors offer excellent traffic flow between saloon and cockpit. The high cabin structure translates good headroom (at least 6’6”) in the saloon.

With the generous beam, it creates a spacious saloon and, as if to underscore the point, the L-shaped settee is completed by two armchairs. Add the bookshelf, brass barometer, thick carpeting and large teak table – it’s a very homely area.

Large, sliding glass windows (tinted) along either side of the saloon, and three large panes in front bring in masses of light. It reflects off the maple cabinetry that’s used throughout the boat. The saloon’s use of white canvas upholstery (with navy and gold piping), white curtains and white panelling add to the clean, crisp ambience. A simple, elegant presentation. But my favourite saloon feature is the faint but exotic smell of Danish oil on the timber.

Barnett has positioned the galley forward of the saloon area (on the port side) – a design that contributes to the spaciousness of the saloon. Compact but perfectly serviceable, the galley features a three-plate gas cooker, a fixed oven, a thwartshipsmounted sink with H/C mixer and a wide array of maple drawers and cupboards. Brass push-button latches contrast nicely with the maple joinery.

Directly opposite the galley (on starboard) is a cabinet housing a 12v front-loading, Isotherm 130-litre fridge. The galley is also equipped with a number of 240volt AC outlets for when the boat is hooked up to shore power. A large hatch in the saloon floor provides access to the 90 hp Caterpillar with ample room to service the engine and all of the ship’s systems.

For’d, to starboard, is the helm station. Its console carries the Caterpillar’s instrumentation as well as a Ritchie compass, Simrad colour chartplotter and Lewmar bowthruster controls. A full-length, sliding door at the helm station makes it easy to poke your head around and communicate with someone on the foredeck- great for negotiating into a tight berth and anchoring.