Hampton H830

Power & Motoryacht's first look at the Hampton H830

By Dennis Caprio

November 11, 2014

Caprio’s First impression: The new 830 from Hampton Yachts is a logical evolution of its conservatively styled Euro line. True to the company’s penchant for honest design, the 830 rattles the status quo but doesn’t go overboard.

Nothing pleases die-hard boating enthusiasts more than an enclosed flying bridge. Think about this for a few moments. When the weather turns nasty and cold, you stay warm and dry and don’t have to give up the extraordinary view a flying bridge gives you. Too hot and sunny? Turn on the air conditioner—what could be better? Hampton Yachts no doubt agrees, that’s why the new 830 has an enclosed bridge.

On the other hand, we must consider the additional windage an enclosed bridge creates, but judicious use of the trim tabs at high speeds, and thrusters, as well as skillful manipulation of props and rudders at low speeds, will compensate.

Spending a few quiet moments in the full-beam master stateroom likely will erase any doubts about this yacht’s ability to carry its owners and guests in contemporary comfort. Located amidships—the area of least motion when the boat’s negotiating a seaway—the master shows its dual personality. Instead of a fixed berth, it has three settees arranged in a U-shape around a rectangular table. This table lowers into the cabin sole, and the flanking settees slide together via tracks recessed into the sole to form a large berth.

Immediately forward of the master is the interior’s pièce de résistance—an impossibly bright and welcoming breakfast area and galley. A square table and four barrel chairs on the port side and a counter with two stools opposite give the area seating for the owners and VIP guests, plus two more. The VIP stateroom lives in the bow and also opens onto the breakfast area.

Hampton has wisely kept the saloon wide open to the after bulkhead and the doorway to the covered afterdeck. This area serves as the yacht’s social center. Passengers may take their evening meal in the formal dining area or on the afterdeck. The paid crew lives in private quarters abaft the engine room and has access to the afterdeck via a stairway on the starboard side.