Forward of the saloon, the dining area is similarly arranged, with lots of space around the centrally located table and chairs. Adjacent to the dining room, forward and to port, is a well-appointed galley that also incorporates a service area, access to the side deck, and a crew stair to the mess and crew quarters on the lower deck.
Inboard of the galley and forward of the dining area is a central foyer and spiral staircase that is stunning and, in my experience, unique in its construction. Stainless steel handrails sitting atop copper mesh panels wind their way from the lower deck to the flying bridge. There, a glass skylight admits sunshine that penetrates all the way to the guest accommodations, thanks to the mesh panels and open risers on the stairs.
Many spiral stairs, to save space, are uncomfortable, if not downright unsafe, in the tightness of their curve and the narrowness of their treads. Once again, the designer and owner have seen fit to sacrifice a bit of otherwise-usable space to make things better. There’s an open core to these stairs, so the inside end of each tread has a bit of dimension rather than coming to a point. The treads are wide, and further enhancing the feeling of security at sea, handrails are fitted at both the center and outside of the spiral, something that is too seldom done.
Additionally, most such stairs on trideck yachts like Northlander terminate at the bridgedeck and another set of stairs, usually exterior, provides access to the flying bridge. Northlander has such an exterior staircase to starboard, but there’s more with this special yacht. At the top of the interior spiral stairs, the skylight slides upward on a central column, looking much like a mushroom when it’s open. This allows the staircase to continue upward one more deck, providing direct access from the skylounge to the flying bridge. It also creates an opportunity for superb natural ventilation—a so-called chimney effect—on days when the weather and seas permit. Open the ports in the staterooms and lift the skylight, and you’ll be surprised at the pleasant breeze flowing through the entire yacht.
The owner’s stateroom, forward on the main deck, holds more surprises. Entering the room from the main foyer, a large white-painted recess inboard provides space for an objet d’art or two, and outboard, a private sitting area that, reminiscent of early sailing ships, includes a hammock slung in the corner. At the forward end of the stateroom, under the brow and down three steps, is the master bath area. Above the tub, a row of windows, translucent to obscure the view from the foredeck, bring an incredible amount of natural light into both the bath and the remainder of the stateroom.
