Euro Style
Remember Capt. Nemo’s submarine, Nautilus, from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? One of its most appealing features was the immense window that offered Nemo and his guests a spectacular undersea view. Today, many new yachts have the modern equivalent of Capt. Nemo’s “picture windows in their master suites, with views not of fish but of the sea and port.
Modern technology has made these larger windows possible. Installed with the latest in high-performance adhesives, such windows are leak-proof, thanks to their virtually indestructible seal. There are no mechanical fasteners to corrode or come loose, and no metal frames to encroach on the view. Of course, you probably wouldn’t want to have a piling leaning against them but, with reasonable precautions, they are just as seaworthy as the rest of your hull.
Here’s a look at six yachts that have made the most of this design trend.
Euro Style: The Azimut 86S takes a different tack with a Rubik’s Cube-like arrangement of six windows that becomes a styling element. Inside, the full-beam master suite takes advantage of these openings with a table and chairs on one side (for private breakfasts?) and a desk/vanity on the other.
A Kiss of Sunlight: A novel approach to topside windows is found on the Mochi 74 Dolphin, an Italianate lobster yacht, which has what one wag labeled a “kiss-shaped pair of horizontal windows separated by a solid beam. Inside, the windows illuminate a curved settee and a desk area.
The Megayacht Look: Drawing on megayacht styling, the Fairline Squadron 74 has five vertical lozenge-shaped windows with a set of three opening to the master suite and two more (out of sight, just aft) for the master head. The large windows not only bring more light inside, they also make the yacht look larger from the exterior. Smaller ports bring light to the forward cabins.
The Modern Porthole: Drawing directly on the original Capt. Nemo look, the Aicon 64 has large round windows that flood the master suite with light as well as air, since there are nearly invisible rectangular opening ports in the center of each window, designed to blend with the hull lines.
Air and Light: Aboard the Viking Sport Cruiser V65 , four vertical windows on each side of the master suite make a full-beam stateroom as airy as an on-deck cabin. The windows are framed in highly polished stainless steel for strength and good looks. One window on each side opens to provide a crossflow of fresh air, and blinds fit nicely into the recessed window box.
The Big Picture: Ferretti (left) combines old and new with four large vertical windows (they look like a single square window outside) with a pair of opening portholes that provide fresh air to the master suite. Strength is provided by the husky vertical muntins separating the windows, but the impression is of a big picture window and, in a nice touch, the bed faces the window for a great morning view.
