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After more than two years of reconstruction in New Zealand, 50-meter Flinders is poised for a new life of worldwide adventure.
by Ivor Wilkins
photography by Ivor Wilkins
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10/01/2005
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| Williamstown Naval 164 |  |
The top deck comprises a sky-bar and spa pool with another
dining area forward. The dining table can be lowered to create a large sun bed
with umbrellas mounted on either side.
The quality of fittings and furnishings used throughout create
an atmosphere that is both casual and stylish. "It may be a bit of a cliché, but
we have tried to create the ambiance of a beach house, something casual and
comfortable, but also elegant. We want guests to feel they can put their feet up
and read a book, yet, if you want a formal evening in the main salon or on the
upper decks, it could also achieve that. Basically, though, when cruising,
people are essentially on holiday, and the environment should reflect that," the
owners opined. The colors scheme emphasizes their love of Pacifica, with
neutrals offset by splashes of bright aquamarine, light pastels and bold primary
colors.
 The salon. Photograph by Tony Gatman. (Click image to enlarge)
Apart from enjoying the sybaritic aspects of cruising,
Flinders could be chartered for expedition work as well. It is really a
mini-ship, say the owners. The 820 tons displacement indicates that this is one
big 50-meter boat; most yachts of similar length are around 500 tons. Although
not specifically strengthened for ice, she is very strongly built, and the
owners have no hesitation about high-latitude journeys.
On board are all the usual toys – windsurfers, sailing
dinghies, PWCs, kayaks and dive gear. But there are also three very useful
support craft: a rugged 28-foot Protector RIB with 300-hp diesel stern drive, a
26-foot custom-built steel barge with landing craft-style bow and a 20-foot RIB
that is used as a tender and rescue boat.
Named for Matthew Flinders, an extraordinary 18th century
seaman and explorer who charted most of Australia and named the continent, this
is a well-proven vessel given a new lease on life through an innovative,
comprehensive rebuild. With energetic owners and also offered for charter, there
is every reason to believe she will continue to live up to her illustrious
name.
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