Boat International - July 2018

http://www.boatinternational.com | July 2018

PHOTOGRAPHY: TATIANA KULIKOVSKY; CHRISTOPHER SCHOLEY; GETTY IMA

GES

Withyearsofexperiencesupplying

tutors for yachts and consulting on

classroom design, Adam Caller of

Tutors International is full of ideas.

Given carte blanche, he would

designate a space with both natural

lightandtheabilityforatleasta

sectiontobecompletelydark.All

walls could be used as dry-wipe

boards and the ceiling would have

dimmable LED panels that could

besettoanycolour.Itwouldhave

vertical wall space for presentations

from something like Sony’s portable

LSPX-P1 projector, or the equipment

couldbeinstalledoutsidethe

classroom and project onto glass

wall panels within it, using something

like the Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw

Projector. A table would illuminate

like the ceiling panel for tracing and

viewing of transparent or translucent

materials, and there would be storage

for tools, paints and stationery as well

as large artworks.

Theclassroomwouldbeequipped

for teaching science, he continues,

withagassupply,inadditiontoa

deep sink, refrigerator and freezer.

Glassware and chemicals could be

stored securely, and there would be

an acid and heat-resistant workbench

with a power supply track, a distilled

water maker and fume extraction.

Seating would depend on the

children’s ages, he says, but all

furnishingsshouldbeabletobe

moved aside to make an open space

fordrama,musicorreadinggroups.

Creating the

perfect oating

classroom

family / designed for life

There’s no such thing as too many water toys on

a family yacht but there is such a thing as too much

time to get them ready. “We make sure there’s

a way to get a toy in the water in five minutes”

much time to get them ready. “We always make

sure there’s a way to get a toy in the water in five

minutes,” says Marshall. That’s not possible,

though, for the popular inflatable waterslide,

universally despised by crew for its lengthy set-up

and retrieval. Oliver is working on a solution to

streamline the onerous process, perhaps using a

dedicated roller drum like those used for fishing

nets, he says. In addition, he recommends

stowing paddleboards and kayaks as close to the

water as possible, not on the sundeck.

And don’t forget the “dog dinghy”. That’s what

those in Marshall’s Pacific Northwest parts call

this quick means of conveyance for the four-

legged family member who needs to be taken for

daily walks. It’s also great for restless kids who

want to get to shore immediately. “Often

overlooked among the big owner’s tender and the

crew tender, it’s a dinghy that doesn’t require a

crew member,” says Marshall. “It’s got a little

9.9hp motor and a flat bottom so they can run it

right up on the beach.”

Making a splash

Funnily enough, bathing platforms are actually

a barrier to swimming, being about three-

quarters of a metre above the waterline, says

Oliver. He’s a fan of Opacmare’s Transformer

platform, with steps that fold out into or above

the water. “It seems like everybody these days is

asking about them.”

Marshall is working on another cool

contraption for the bathing platform,

incorporating a transom lift mechanism

typically seen on smaller yachts within a large

platform. “We’re using it to create a saltwater

swimming pool without having all the floating

perimeters that you have to figure out how to

store.” It can be lowered 30 to 122 centimetres, he

explains, making a pool out of the three rigid

sides and a net that can be deployed quickly.

Under the stars

Cinemas are a must. “[The cinema] was used

heavily on every boat I’ve been on that had a

proper set-up. The best ones seem to be outdoor

ones,” says Marshall. “It’s the first place people go

at about eight at night after a busy day when

they’re not quite ready for bed and just want to

kick back and watch a show.”

Sleeping is another enticing al fresco activity.

“Most people want to sleep outdoors, on

occasion, but the reality is it’s too windy or cold,

or there are bugs,” says Marshall. “It’s never quite

right.” He suggests including spaces conducive

to spending the night, such as where you can pull

around a bug screen. “Cloudbreak [the 72 metre

Espen Øino design] did an excellent job of that.”

That yacht has a series of exterior decks at

different levels, strategically positioned for

both maximum views and privacy. In each area

there is a large sunpad or bed that is sheltered

from the wind and rain. You could have several

couples sleeping in diferent locations without

seeing each other. Marshall describes the

concept as “sort of like a high-tech/high luxury

tree fort”.

For Oliver, a family yacht means a peaceful

outdoor slumber party with guests lounging on

daybeds and hammocks among lanterns, playing

Scrabble, kids disconnected.

Final touches

Comfort food makes everyone happy so Stearns

made sure Minderella’s galley had a high-quality

deep fryer for French fries. And skip the

Swarovski crystal in lieu of something more

meaningful, says Hoekstra. He once designed

what he calls a “treasure cabinet”, a space meant

to be emptied before a voyage and filled during

it. “Slowly but surely this cabinet becomes a

unique piece of furniture because it is filled with

memories of the family themselves.”B