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This year saw the full flourish of a trend thats been growing slowly for several years: the deck-saloon cruiser. Marked by a raised coachroof with windows around three sides for space and light, the deck saloon theme was represented this year by five boats: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS, the Northwind 43, the Hunter Helsen Signature 470, the Tayana 48 DS, and the Hans Christian Offshore Explorer 4750. The prize in this category goes to a Sparkman & Stephens-designed boat that shows its offshore intentions in dozens of details: the Northwind 43, built in Barcelona, Spain.
Northwind 43 Specs:
LOA 42.58′ / 12.98m
LWL: 36.75′ / 11.20m
Beam: 14.00′ / 4.27m
Listed SA: 850 ft2 / 78.96 m2
Draft (max.) 6.33′ / 1.93m
Displacement: 25000 lbs./ 11340 kgs.
Ballast: 8500 lbs. / 3856 kgs.
Sail Area/Disp.1: 15.97
Bal./Disp.: 34.00%
Disp./Len.: 224.86
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens
Builder: North Wind Yachts (ESP)
