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When
the 135-foot Atlantica was christened at last November’s annual
Power & Motoryacht Rendezvous, a fund-raiser for the Boys & Girls
Clubs of Broward County, one of the owners joked to the assembled crowd
that he and his wife finally had a yacht big enough to take to the event.
While boats of any size are welcome, the majority of the attendees do
arrive in 100-foot-plus vessels, most of which are lavishly appointed.
But
Atlantica was different. Sure, she delighted party-goers who took self-guided
tours of her and admired her elegantly joined raised-panel mahogany bulkheads
and beautiful furnishings. But several went on to remark that the 135-footer
felt warm, almost homelike. Without realizing it, they had hit the nail
right on the head, for that was the idea the owners had in commissioning
their yacht from Christensen Shipyards.
Take
her entrance. Some people’s first introduction to a home is the
front porch. You could say Atlantica has one: her enclosed aft deck. Even
though the owners wanted this area protected from the elements, they recognized
the value of having refreshing breezes circulate through it, so the side
windows can slide open. The room is also equipped with a wetbar, entertainment
center, and C-shape benchseat, as well as chairs grouped around a table.
The space is so homelike, you’re only reminded that you’re
on a yacht when you look at the teak decking and twin curving stairs that
lead down to the swim platform.
All
homes have living rooms and/or family rooms, of course, and the yacht
counterparts are saloons and sky lounges. Thanks to the handiwork of interior
designer Donald Starkey, Atlantica’s saloon and sky lounge treat
the owners’ guests as if they were family. It’s practically
de rigeur for megayachts to have carpeted soles in their saloons, but
Atlantica features hardwood soles and area rugs, underscoring the homey
feel. And just as families gather around the television in their land-based
homes, the family of this yacht can sink into two large, comfortable couches
that face a television that rises from a cabinet aft in the saloon.
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Atlantica continued > Page 1, 2,
3, 4
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