WINDY 37 SHAMAL
LOA 36ft 9in (11.25m) BEAM 10ft 9in (3.33m) WEIGHT 7.5 tonnes (light) FUEL 650 litres ENGINES Twin 440hp Volvo Penta D6 TOP SPEED 48 knots PRICE FROM £420,000 ex VAT CONTACT Berthon +44 (0)1590 647427; www.windyboats.com
Windy’s focus on 25-40ft fast open sportsboats took another leap forwards with the launch of the new 37 Shamal at Düsseldorf. The first production Windy to be styled by superyacht designer Espen Øino, it sets the tone for the next generation of models with a sharper, edgier look featuring a more upright, squared off bow, rectangular hull windows and a dark grey windscreen surround.
It’s all part of Espen’s goal to make it feel more like a bespoke superyacht tender than a mainstream production boat. These exterior styling cues are complemented by similar touches in the cockpit. The seating features diamond-pattern stitching and multiple flip down armrests with built-in cupholders, while the traditional teak details have been replaced by glossy composites. Even the foredeck is devoid of the usual non-slip GRP cross-hatching to leave a smooth (and presumably slippery) gelcoat either side of the teak walkway.
It’s a brave step that may grate with some older Windy customers but should appeal to a new generation of buyers brought up on Axopars but now looking for the next step up the ladder. They won’t be disappointed. The big, open cockpit is as stylish as it is versatile. A sliding headrest allows the aft sunpad to face forward or aft, while six or more guests can happily spread themselves around the seating. The table is on the small side for dining but the outdoor galley opposite does have a large flip-up work surface to act as an overflow. This is set back from the cockpit coamings to leave space for the bimini supports that fold down behind it but lifts up to shade the whole of cockpit when needed.
The helm is a masterpiece of form and function with bolster seats, flawless ergonomics and a large touchscreen MFD supported by clearly labelled toggle switches for major controls. With the cockpit occupying the full beam of the boat and no sidedecks to speak of, steps next to the helm lead up to the foredeck.
Below decks the open-plan accommodation has a permanent double berth in the bow (rather than a convertible dinette) and a second double berth under the cockpit that can be separated off from the cabin with a clever double-hinged bulkhead.
As ever it’s the driving experience that should differentiate Windy from the chasing pack and the slender hull has a deep 21.5° deadrise to help it slice through the waves and a pair of 440hp D6 sterndrives giving it an estimated top speed of 50 knots. We can’t wait to sea trial it.