Multichine 28 Ayty stunning good looks

The MC28 class must have something very special to be the choice of so many as the boat of their lives. The reasons for that are probably various, but the most important one is probably the fact that people feel confident that they can live aboard and sail to anywhere with such a yacht.

That was the case with the electronic engineer Arapoan Fernandes. Being a member of the staff of an important multinational established in the Silicon Valley, and also a passionate lover of the nautical life, even though he could afford building a much larger boat, he chose instead to build a MC 28 as his definitive boat.

Arapoan has an affinity with us in believing that a cruising sailboat with adequate headroom (1.85m)  and enough space for a small family to live aboard, even if being only 28 foot long, (the MC28 actually measures 9.20m, being 28 feet the length between the forepeak and the rudder stock, not considering the transom scoop) she might be more adequate for extended voyaging than a larger boat that will require much more maintenance and a heavier burden in the cost of upkeep.

We from B & G Yacht Design became close friends of him and his family since he bought the plans, and from then on our friendship never stopped increasing, and that’s why we know his story so well.

At the time we met the Fernandes they had only a son, a teenager then, and their plans were for building the MC 28 and travel to New Zealand, where they intended to establish residence. Arapoan sent his curriculum to Navman, the renowned Kiwi electronics company, and was instantly invited to join them, which ensured the continuity of the family’s survival. However the stork had a surprise gift for them, delivering a late offspring, the tot looking across the hatch.

Now with the elder son already in college, the Fernandes will need to postpone any plan of overseas traveling for a while. Nevertheless they are so happy with their boat and the new member of the family that the old dream is the least important thing at the moment.

After acquiring the plans Arapoan ordered the basic boat to a custom boat builder, and, as soon as the boat was assembled, he took her to a yacht club to do the finishing work, for that matter hiring a really skilled cabinet maker, a decision that, after all, made a hell of a difference. The result was awesome. The boat became a work of art, especially because each one put all his/her expertise in finishing the boat in Bristol fashion. Val, Arapoan’s wife, is a civil architect, and she was responsible for the interior decoration, which she chose to be rich in tropical alacrity. The joiner made the utmost effort to produce first class fancy joinery, and Arapoan, as expected, installed a flawless electric/electronic system onboard.

Now the boat is already three years old, but for those who don’t know her, she seems she went into the drink yesterday. Of course Ayty is the apple of Arapoan’s eyes, and the boat is undoubtedly the escape valve from his demanding work.

When you believe that your sailboat doesn’t require being excessively large to take you anywhere, things become much easier on your shoulders. For him to obtain the highest level of system’s installation and finishing throughout the construction was something that represented peanuts for his assets. This allowed him to purchase the best equipments all over, regardless of price, performance and reliability being his first concern.

As the couple likes cooking, it’s no wonder that the most praised compartment of the boat being its spacious galley with all the necessary comforts to make them feel at home

An important department for Arapoan is the navigation and radio station. This in the MC 28 interior layout is also privileged, and he finds himself totally at ease when working in that area. The large chart locker under the table provides the perfect stowage space for his notebook, so he feels he misses nothing if he wants to work aboard and live there for prolonged stretches.

But to conquer the heart of the architect in the family the most important compartment had to be the owner’s cabin. And this, with her touch of class, is exactly what she managed to obtain, being the jewel of the boat. The aft cabin is cozy, airy and well insulated, and with Val’s good taste, became a veritable bedroom. And there are still enough lockers to store all the family’s belongings. Besides, the king-sized double berth is one more reason for the Fernandes being proud of it.

The companionway hatch is another special place aboard. It was there that we installed the chart plotter in the Multichine 28 Fiu, the boat we at the office built for our family usage and that became an icon for the class, and since then we have been followed by many other owners. This place is just perfect for that equipment installation. One can navigate sitting there or watch the monitor from outside, without the need of a second screen at the cockpit, while keeping the equipment protected from the inclemency of the weather.

As we have builders constructing the MC 28 in so many places, we are sure that unveiling the many details of the design portrayed in boats already sailing, something that only those who already are members of the class are aware, is a good incentive for them to keep their work going at a fast pace.

Click here to know more about the Multichine 28