| Hakvoort 125 |  |
Guest accommodations on the lower deck are in suites named
after the couple’s favorite St. Barth’s spots—Eden Rock, François Plantation and
Isle de France. The central stairway leading down utilizes industrial copper
piping as the handrail. This innovative use again highlights Starkey’s unusual
treatment of ordinary materials. François Plantation was designed with visiting
children in mind and features two single berths in an L-shape configuration and
a Pullman. It also provides access from the crew’s quarters via a hidden door,
so the crew can service this level easily and discreetly. As with the other
guest bathrooms, a river-rock floor runs throughout the space from the shower
straight through to the washroom.
The feeling on this level, especially in the identical
queen-size cabins—Isle de France and Eden Rock—is colonial Caribbean, with
some facets that seem very nautical. The sole is a reverse teak and holly, and
all the walls are traditionally paneled with the exception of the window walls,
which feature louvered plantation shutters. All the portlights aboard retain
their highly polished stainless steel rims, a feature that reminds you that
you’re aboard a yacht and not actually at a St. Barth’s resort. Rounding out the
crisp and airy cabins are caned headboards and a raffia headliner.
 LED up-lights illuminate the cracked-glass bar
located to port on the sun deck. (Click image to enlarge)
The showcase of stonework in the master bathroom is only
rivaled by the impressive woodwork found in the skylounge. More than 10
different woods adorn the space. The majority of the walls are a lighter
whitewashed teak than found in the rest of the interior. This teak is inlaid
with matte burl in between the floor-to-ceiling windows. In fact, most surfaces
in the space are matte as opposed to gloss, smooth, and delightful to the eye
and touch. Forward on either side of the 64-inch plasma TV are burl mosaics. The
floor is classic teak and holly. Kiwi green accents in the fabric bring life to
the space, as does the deco furniture selected by Mrs. Bey. The original settees
found while shopping didn’t fit the boat, so Starkey had a workshop in Italy
custom-craft them to the needed size. Another trick of Starkey’s was to inset
mirrors in the port and starboard alcoves, forward and aft. They give the
impression of windows and add even more breadth to the 20-by-20 space.
Side decks wrap the entire upper deck from the aft seating and
dining area (heated with radiant heat in the headliner for New England cruising)
to the Portuguese bridge, where another dining area is located and shaded by
three overhead sail-like panels. A special consideration on this deck was using
glass for the top 40 percent of all the coaming to provide uninterrupted views
from the skylounge and aft deck. It dips down even farther aft for
wave-watching. Hakvoort also pinned the glass from the inside of each stanchion
rather than using the common metal plates that usually secure such glass
panels.
With a 16-foot, teak-decked Castoldi tender tucked into the
transom and a Sabre 38 or Intrepid usually towed behind, the top deck is
free and clear for sun-soaked or shaded enjoyment. The space that lies below the
shade of the radar arch was designed with a misting system to cool those coming
in from the sun beds. Forward a spa pool-cum-water element features a Roman
fountain and waterfall, in addition to "bubbles." At night, a cracked-glass bar
is up-lit by LEDs, giving a green glow to the sprawling deck. A dayhead with
Corian walls decorated in a moiré pattern is also provided. Loose furniture
includes several oversize rattan chairs and ottomans that beckon quality
time with a good magazine and a cold drink.
To use a beloved cliché, this third time has been a charm for experienced
yacht owners the Beys. It is doubtful anyone with less experience could achieve
all they did in the span of 125 feet. Here, aboard Hakvoort’s latest launch,
high style, clean lines and the best of everything are neatly packaged into one
of the year’s most memorable motor yachts.
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