A VALUABLE DIMENSION TO SUPERYACHTING

A unique feature of Pink Gin is the use of side openings in the hull to provide convenient water level access to the spectacular accommodation lobby and a private balcony in the owner’s suite adding a valuable dimension to the forward accommodation.

On Pink Gin’s recent visit to Baltic Yachts in Finland, the openings were given a clean bill of health after 70,000 nautical miles of sailing and we took the opportunity of some fine weather to shoot this footage of the two platforms in action.

The portside main reception platform not only provides guests with effortless access to the yacht, but also doubles as an alongside mooring station with substantial fendering for larger rigid hulled vessels. It can be used as a swimming platform and also provides the crew with ease of access to the large galley and food storage area for victualling.

As shown in the video, sliding glass security and weather proofing doors open to allow guests into the lobby, the design of which is dominated by a bulkhead-mounted artwork by Cuban Roberto Diago featuring metal oil drums.

While the large portside opening provides more functional general access, the starboard side balcony offers a private swimming platform and relaxation area for the owner’s suite located forward. The platform, measuring 1.86m by 1.93m, opens out directly from the master cabin literally providing another dimension to the accommodation.

It is equipped with safety railings, lighting and a bathing ladder and with the glass doors in place it could be described as the ultimate picture window. It’s the perfect setting for a private sundowner or an early morning swim!

Pink Gin’s owner, who was prepared to take on the engineering challenges presented by the side openings, said:

For this yacht I was especially excited to make use of the side opening balconies in the design as the side access is unique on a sailing yacht and has indeed proved very useful as it provides an easy way to board the yacht from a tender as well as a place to relax.

The yacht’s third means of access is provided by the fold down aft bathing platform set into the yacht’s transom. A flight of steps leads to a substantial bathing and tender platform also equipped with a bathing ladder, a shower and lighting.

The two platforms and the stern steps are operated by touch button hydraulics and when the two hull-side doors are closed they are held in position by a series of substantial, hydraulically operated locking pins. These not only hold the doors shut, but also transfer loads from the yacht’s rig while sailing, so that the doors become part of the structural integrity of the hull.

This was one of the biggest challenges for Baltic’s engineers and external structural specialists Gurit, who had to satisfy classification society DNV GL’s strict scantling and engineering rules. The doors have been extensively used and enjoyed, whilst being trouble free since Pink Gin’s launch in 2017.