The magnificent schooner Athos has been extensively converted – outside and inside – updated and optimized by Huisfit in Amsterdam.
Prior to purchasing the 62 m/203 ft Athos, built in 2010, designed by Hoek and built by Holland Jachtbouw, the new owner chartered her for a full year. Although he fell in love with the boat, he could see numerous opportunities to improve the features and user experience. The refit list increased as the concept took shape in his head. Additionally, once the refit work got going, a lot more options came up.
What began as a major refit project quickly expanded to include all facets of the Huisfit proposition: Refit, Rebuild, and Renewal. The stern overhang would be expanded, and cockpit layouts and a new forward navigation deckhouse would be built on deck. New booms, sails, and carbon rigging would all result in better sail control and performance. All systems were supposed to be upgraded. A large portion of the interior needed to be renovated, reconstructed and refurbished.
Once again, Hoek Design was responsible for all the naval architecture, the style and interior layout of the new master cabin, one of the guest rooms, the main saloon, the new crew quarters and the navigation deckhouse to accommodate these changes. Peter Mikic Interiors was responsible for the layout and styling of the main deckhouse and general guest accommodation.
For the owner, it was a bonus to take Athos back to the location where she was originally built in 2010, now Huisfit’s Amsterdam deep water refit facility.
On deck: from stern forwards
The stern of Athos has been expanded by 1.25 meters / 4 feet, which appears to be a minor modification. However, the new section’s concave and convex curves need outstanding abilities in the design and construction of the metal structure in order to fit precisely into the aluminum hull. A new two-meter space for sunbeds behind the owners’ private cockpit is provided by the expansion, which includes a repositioned pushpit.
The cockpit has been redesigned for easy access and has received additional comforts like a fridge and ice maker. The owners’ deckhouse’s interior layout and furnishings have been upgraded. A teak transom has been added as a final touch to the new stern section.
Aft of the mainmast, the main cockpit and deckhouse have been considerably remodeled to offer a genuine social centre for meeting and greeting, al fresco eating, and casual leisure activity.
Her new cockpit is larger and longer, allowing it to easily seat 12 passengers. There is also casual seating for those who want to gather in smaller groups or find a quiet area to read. Coffee tables are meant to be adaptable so that they may be used as either coffee tables or dining tables. A bar with a refrigerator and an icemaker has been built. Redesigned dashboard consoles located to port and starboard of the ship’s wheel just aft of the main cockpit.
The main deckhouse floor has been raised to one level and provides an enhanced outlook. The entire interior, including the nav station, was taken out and a new design was installed. Thanks to this choice, the deckhouse looks much larger, the traffic flow is better and the natural light has improved. A new classic-looking bar has been built on the portside and a couch occupies the space of the nav station, while smaller dining tables and casual seating maximize flexibility.
More forward the former crew companionway which gave access to the crew quarters has been replaced by a larger, third deckhouse, styled and crafted in the same style as the other deckhouses.
This houses a new navigation and secondary steering station and provides additional social space for the crew and access below. At the same time, the new design of the crew deckhouse improved the flow of the engine room ventilation system and reduced the subsequent noise considerably.
Below decks
The owner’s suite has been totally stripped out, re-designed and refitted. An additional porthole was made on either side and in addition to that wasted space was eliminated to make full use of idle space. There are now two bathrooms in place of one and a new walk-in closet. Hard panelling has been replaced by subtle fabrics and the plank flooring has been carpeted to create a warm and tranquil ambience.
Just forward of the owner’s suite, a day head has been removed. The space thus obtained has been incorporated into the aft port guest cabin, where a fixed Queen bed and a sofa have been added. Along with the other three guest cabins, the floor has been carpeted and the fielded panels have been upholstered. Everything inside the corridor connecting the guest cabins has been renewed. The biggest change in this area was the replacement of the original curved staircase to the main deckhouse with a beautifully crafted and space-liberating new stairway.
From the main deckhouse, stairs forward previously gave access to a lower salon in an open-plan setting with a showpiece galley. A fireplace was removed and a wall was built between the two areas to create a cosy and intimate media room to starboard. A long bookcase-built cross-ships and luxurious new furniture complete the scene.
The galley to port, behind the new wall, has been custom-rebuilt and all equipment updated for modern haute cuisine practices. A stewardess station has been added meaning that there is more room in the galley for the chef.
In the crew quarters, the laundry has all-new appliances, the crew cabins have new floors and the crew mess enjoys the benefit of new worktops.
(Huisfit, refit and renewal of 62m schooner Athos – barchemagazine.com – November 2022)
