Motor Boat & Yachting - January 2016 UK

added a compass rose on the sliding
companionway door to provide a focal
point for the cockpit.

COMPLETING THE COCKPIT
I’d always planned to add teak
highlights around the boat but Claire
suggested I look at Flexiteek rather
than real wood, partly because of the
awkward curvature of the foredeck and

bathing platform and partly because it

would be easier to maintain. After

seeing how good the colouring and

grain looked on the samples, I was

convinced especially when the fitter,

Elite Marine Solutions, showed me how

it would look with cream caulking and

properly designed margin boards.

Originally I wanted to fit it to the

cockpit sole as well as to the side decks

and bathing platform but the opening

deck hatches would have made it look

too fiddly so we went for a simple

pop-in carpet instead.

However, by adding a walkway

through the aft sunpad and transom

bench we found a way to bring some

Flexiteek into the cockpit and improve

access at the same time. I also took the

opportunity to install LED stud lights

along the walkway and around the

cockpit that bathe the area in a cool

blue light. A real teak table bought from

the chandlery at Bates Wharf sets the

cockpit off nicely and matches the

compass rose on the companionway.

The cockpit upholstery was a trickier

proposition. I wanted to go for a quilted

diamond pattern on the helm and

cockpit seats similar to the latest Chris-

OWNERUPGRADES

JANUARY201 6 65

Flexiteek decking on

the bathing platform

leads to an illuminated

walkway into the cockpit

Even small details like

the stainless steel LED

nav light and locker

handle lift the look

After: Smart new upholstery,

gold coloured panel wraps

and stainless steel details

transform the look