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When designer Kevin Dibley was first approachedby Havana's owners they already had some

reasonably firm ideas on what they wanted. Theyneeded someone of Dibley's vast experience to

transform those conceptual thoughts into something practical. The result is a trawler stylegentleman's motor yacht of rare distinction with

classic looks built to superyacht standards.

A Gentleman'sMotorYacht

TEXT BARRY THOMPSON PHOTOS BY CHR IS LEWIS

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BOAT REV IEW

owners and we were pleased with the outcome.The owners wanted the same features on thisdesign even though it was quite a bit shorterthan Belize", said Dibley.The result is a very comfortable transitionbetween the two levels, with the aft deck loungeand table area complimenting the space perfect-ly. The owners also had very clear ideas on theinterior and again Dibley worked through theergonomics while the owners worked throughthe detailing and styling. "The main design philosophy was for spacious-ness and ease of movement, with long sightlines.That meant bulkheads were removed or angledto cater for this effect", he added. Entertainmentand comfort were areas that could not be com-promised and the systems had to be to supery-acht level.The exterior aesthetics were also very importantand the owners were adamant they didn't wantthe vessel's original 'trawler' style to be affectedby any changes. However, the compromise forDibley was he had the freedom to accentuatecertain areas to make the yacht look longer andsleeker than she actually is."The sheer line on this design was perfect at theoutset and the darker brick red hull worked wellwith the bounce of the sheer and the lengthenedaft end", points out Dibley.The superstructure had to support a large inflat-able and davit system as well as a comfortableflybridge station for helming and entertainment.Access would be by way of a ladder leading upfrom the aft deck. The flybridge entertainmentarea is covered with a bimini that is designed tovisually disappear to onlookers ashore. A mastties in all the features of the yacht and gives hera shippy nautical feel. For Dibley, the result is a pleasing blend of styles,which bond sweet traditional external lines withthe interior, engineering and appointments of amodern, sophisticated yacht.

Classic LayoutOne of the unique features of Havana is the for-ward layout that is accessed down a shortcurved staircase. Havana was first designed forthree cabins, but the owners decided to changethat right from the start and went for a two-cabin layout with a separate office/study area.It's spacious and open and provides a place ofquiet relief from the rest of the boat. The own-ers' stateroom has two oversized single berthsrather than the conventional double, althoughthere is talk of this being changed. The forwardguest cabin has a pair of 3/4 size doubles. Fitted sisal matting and upholstered headliningpanels in custom bonded raffia are usedthroughout the accommodation areas and con-tinue throughout the vessel. Each of the cabins has recessed downlights, aGebo hatch complete with blind and bug screen-ing, plus individual air conditioning air handlerand controls. Aromatic Cedar lined hanginglockers and drawers provide abundant storage, There are two en-suites, one for the owners'

taken from a 53ft mould that was considerablymodified from the original dimensions. Havanais wider on the deck, although remains the sameat waterline and is longer than any of the previ-ous eleven boats from the same mould.During the construction, Dibley Marine wasbrought in to work through various re-designareas and one of those was the stern extensionand boarding platform access. "We spent a lot of time working through theergonomics versus aesthetics issues with the

The owners' previous launch was the EdMonk designed Belize, which they had builtat the Salthouse Boatbuilders Ltd yard in

Greenhithe, Auckland. As a testimony to thequality workmanship of the yard, they had nohesitation in going back to the same yard tobuild Havana. The wanted a smaller boat thanBelize, but one that was still capable of passage-making to destinations such as Fiji, Tonga andthe Great Barrier Reef.Havana utilises a Bob Salthouse designed hull,

Stainless steel is a rich feature of the galley.

The full-size L-shaped dinette is upholsteredin suede buffalo hide.

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stateroom, the other for both use by guests inthe forward cabin and as a day head. The own-ers' en-suite has a separate shower cubicle withglass hinged door and Dornbracht shower mixerand rose, a top mount Starck Duravit basin andteak vanity with glass mosaic vanity top andfloor. The guests' en-suite is virtually a mirrorimage.The portside office/study is finished with a fittedsofa, teak desk, swing-out seat and point formodem, laptop and DECT wireless phone. A for-ward locker hides away the laundry with indi-vidual washing and drying machines.From the cockpit to the galley you can see thatHavana is designed for entertaining and there'sa feeling of warmth aboard. Although on a less-er scale the interior designer has applied thesame thinking to the galley as he would to asuperyacht. Stainless steel is a rich feature inthis very spacious area, with its Bosch gas hoband electric oven, Sharp microwave and customstainless steel fridge and freezer. A nice touch isthe fully plumbed-in La Cimbale coffee machinejust waiting to provide a latte or cappuccino forthe guests. The cocktail cabinet beneath thebench top includes fitted crystal glass storage.The impeccable build quality of Havana contin-ues through the long saloon, which incorporatesthe galley, dining area and forward helm. Thefull-size L-shaped dinette is upholstered insuede buffalo hide and complimented by a pairof tub chairs with a cabinet between, housing allthe stereo equipment. A 37" plasma TV on anelectric lift pops up when required. StylishAmerican made McGuire folding chairs are usedfor either dining inside or around the cockpittable.Recessed down lights provide the lighting andelectronic dimmers provide the mood. Just likethe accommodation areas, the saloon has itsown individual air conditioning system.Forward is the lower control station with an allteak and leather dash, complete with a widerange of the latest navigational, safety andengine management systems. These include aNorthstar computer screen running the Maxseacharting/navigation and the latest FurunoNavnet. Side doors lead out to teak laid decksand high bulwarks with varnished teak cappingrails. Eyebrows extend right to the coaming line,covering the side decks and add to the small shiplikeness of Havana.The teak covered aft deck provides an outdoorlounging space and on-the-water access via rearstairs to the teak boarding platform andBesenzoni electric/hydraulic swim ladder.Courtesy lights at the access steps assist safetyat night for visiting guests. Arranged with afixed seat and teak table under an extended roofoverhang, the aft deck is ideally suited to alfres-co dining. The lazarette area below the rear deckprovides a massive storage area and if requiredcould easily be converted to crew quarters.A stainless/teak ladder leads up to the expansiveupper deck which features an open sky loungewith wet bar, helm chair, teak occasional tableand built-in seating with canvas upholstery. Atinted acrylic windscreen surrounds the bridge,which has an overhead bimini mounted on afixed stainless steel frame. The alloy mast is more than a mounting point forthe radar scanner, aerials and remote operated A 37" plasma TV on an electric lift pops up when required.

Forward is the lower control station with an all teak and leather dash,

The portside office/study is finished with a fitted sofa, teak desk, swing-out seat

SALTHOUSE 62

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searchlight - it's also a statement of Havana'strawler heritage. The upper aft boat deck is finished in hand-laidteak and houses the Besenzoni electric/hydrauliccrane and Zodiac YL340R tender complete with8hp Yamaha four stroke outboard. The Seatelsatellite television receiver dome sits in behind.Havana is powered by a pair of high gloss white255hp Caterpillar diesels, which provide a topspeed of 13 knots and cruise of 11 knots. Tracdigital, hydraulic stabilisers with winglet finshelp to provide stability in adverse sea condi-tions and a fully sound-proofed engine roomkeeps operating noise to a minimum.Havana's mechanical checklist is exceptionaland reads like a who's who of quality, with anastonishing list of standard equipment that youwould normally associate with a superyacht. Thesame is evident in the detailing from the engineroom fit-out to the stainless rails. Havana isunquestionably first class. Built to M&I survey,Havana is a little ship that certainly lives up toits claim as a gentleman's motor yacht of raredistinction.

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C AT I O N SBoat Name M.V HavanaDesign Name Salthouse 62

PilothouseYear Launched 2003Designer Bob Salthouse

(Hull)Kevin Dibley (Superstructure)Builder Salthouse Boat

Builders LtdLOA 19.8mLWL 18.0mBeam 5.20mDraft 1.60mDisplacement 35 tonnesMax Speed 13 knotsCruise Speed 11 knotsConstruction Balsa core

compositeFuel Capacity 3045 litresWater Capacity 2275 litresEngines 2 x 3116TACaterpillars @ 255hp eachGearboxes 2.5:1Drive System Conventional

Propellers 4-Blade Bri SkiGenerator Kohler 13kVaInverters Mastervolt

2kW & 3kWAir Conditioning ClimmaWater maker FCIAir Horns KahlenbergBatteries Sonnenschein

gel cellBow Thruster American Bow

ThrusterWindlass Maxwell

V4000 Hydraulic

Anchors Manson S/SSteering SeastarControls KobeltWipers SpeichPaint (Topsides) InternationalPaint (Antifouling) InternationalPorts/Hatches GeboVeneer/Plywood Teak / VariousHeads TecmaLiferafts RFD

Stainless Steel Marine Metal Fabrications

Stabilisers American Bow Thruster/Trac

Davit/Swim Step BesenzoniTender Zodiac YL340/

YamahaEnt. System AtlanticAudio/SoundlineFire System Firewatch CO2Icemaker HoshizakiSearchlight JabscoELECTRONICSAutopilot Cetrek 741GPS Furuno GP31Plotter Northstar 1201Radar/Depth Sounder FurunoNavnet CMap NTVHF Skanti CU102

& ICOMWeather Instruments CetrekSoftware MaxseaSwitch Panels BEPPrice NZ$2.5 million

Contact: Lysaght Marine, 72 Harbour Village Drive, Gulf Harbour, Auckland, Ph +64 9 424 1295 email: brett@lysaghtmarine.com Web: www.lysaghtmarine.com

Above: The upper aft boat deck is finished in hand-laid teak and housesthe Besenzoni electric/hydraulic crane and Zodiac YL340R tender.

BOAT REV IEW SALTHOUSE 62

Right: Havana is powered by a pair of highgloss white 255hp Caterpillar diesels, whichprovide a top speed of 13 knots and cruise of11 knots.