Boat International – June 2017

http://www.boatinternational.com | June 2017

BOAT LIFE

Design is valuable when it

stands the test of time. Few

manufactured items retain

their design appeal for more

than a few years and many quickly

become outdated. Not so the Porsche

911, a genuine style icon that not only has

survived for more than 50 years but is still

being built to virtually the same design.

For me, this is a car that looks right

from all angles, is beautiful in its own right

and still turns heads young and old. I have

owned a Porsche Targa and presently own

a 911 4S, a car that is 15 years old, but still

looks like new – it could have taken shape

on the drawing board yesterday.

The combination of sheer power and

beauty is intoxicating. Just setting eyes on

these cars is always a joy and to drive them

is one of the most exhilarating experiences

on wheels. Performance is virtually

unmatched. The Porsche 911 was for many

years one of the most powerful sports

cars on the road. It possesses phenomenal

acceleration, it can take a corner at very

high speeds and holds the road like a

limpet. The combination of brilliant

styling and engineering to produce an

adrenalin-pumping performance is worthy

of considerable respect. Few 54-year-old

designs have achieved that.

I am not a car fanatic but I do appreciate

design that is timeless and works for the

end user. I like to think that the design work

emanating from Hoek Design produces

yachts with genuinely appealing looks that

will still melt the heart in 50 years’ time.

The pleasure derived from owning a thing

of beauty is something upon which one

cannot put a price. But it is fair to say that

brilliant design will always hold its value.

The Porsche 911 is evidence of that.

Sailing yacht designer Andre Hoek selects his favourite piece of design: the Porsche 911

DESIGN HEROES

BEAUTIFUL FROM

ALL ANGLES. THE

PORSCHE 911 WAS

INTRODUCED IN 1963

AND IS STILL BEING

BUILT TO VIRTUALLY

THE SAME DESIGN

BOAT LIFE

PHOTOGRAPH: ALAMY

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BL Design Hero