Oceanair case study- Interior facelift and refit of Savaras

by Oceanair & Kiwi Yachting on 20 Jun 2013
The owner of Savaras, a 49ft Oyster moored in La Ciotat in the south of France, approached Oceanair to help freshen up his much loved yacht before the sailing season commences.

With the interior of Savaras looking a little tired after over 10 years use, the owner wanted an effective yet affordable solution.

To deliver this impact, the client realised this could be achieved easily by changing all the interior window coverings and decorations. The client wanted a modern but soft and accommodating style, with the interior window coverings being functional and easy to maintain.

Struggling to find the time to do it himself, and for complete peace of mind, the client wanted a complete service: a company to survey the boat, measure up and install the blinds.

The Challenges

Twenty windows onboard, including nine in the main saloon, four portlights and four hatches, in total required blinds. Before the refit the saloon windows and portlights were covered with old fashioned, drab looking curtains. The large windows in the saloon posed the greatest challenge for Oceanair, due to the different shapes and inclines.

With Savaras often sailing in the Mediterranean in the height of summer, the client required window treatments to assist with onboard temperature control to help keep the boat cool in the day. Additionally, the blinds were to provide privacy when moored in marinas and furthermore protect valuable classic wooden joinery from UV damage.

For the hatches, a blackout and flyscreen solution was needed to allow fresh air to cool the cabins whilst keeping insects out. The blackout element is desired to help keep the light from waking guests in the morning as well as assisting in keeping the cabins cool in the midday sun.

The Solutions

Oceanair’s French distributor Interdist was on hand to manage the project from beginning to end. Visiting the boat at the marina, they met the client; surveyed the boat and ran through available options.

A suitable fabric for the blinds, which met the client's requirements, was selected from Oceanair's extensive Fabric Collection.

SKYSOL Classic Blinds were selected to cover the main saloon windows and portlights. Easy to operate, these elegant and sleek pleated blinds could be shaped to accommodate the various window curvatures and inclines. The inbuilt discreet guide wires prevent the blinds from swinging and rattling whilst Savaras is at sea.

For covering the hatches, Oceanair’s SKYSCREEN Roller Surface was used. This is a cost-effective and highly effective, combination blackout and flyscreen blind with simple installation. Key features include a blackout shade that can be effortlessly deployed, with a simple magnetic handle to secure it in place, whilst from the other side a flyscreen extends with a polypropylene fibre brushstrip within the side rail to keep insects out. This gives users the choice of full darkness, an airy light atmosphere keeping the bugs away, or a combination of the two.

All products installed on Savaras are low profile and soft edged, thus not encroaching into the boat and maximising headroom and space. Using a unique Oceanair software program, Interdist was able to crosscheck onsite (to the millimetre) that each blind measurement triangulated correctly. Despite the complexity of the blind shapes, the program generated an instant onsite quotation for the customer to decide upon. Once approved, Oceanair’s experienced installation team were able to install the entire blind package within a day.

And the owner's verdict?

I am delighted with the blinds and end results delivered by Oceanair. The complete turnkey service made it an effortless experience from the beginning, through the measuring, specification and installation, to the end. The blinds are manufactured to a high quality and function well. It feels like Savaras has had new life breathed into her through the new blinds and shades, and I look forward to spending plenty of time on the water with my family and friends.

Erik Wirta, Owner of Savaras and Oceanair client

Please contact www.kiwiyachting.co.nz!Kiwi_Yachting for further information or to discuss your individual project requirements.

Telephone: +649 3600300 Contact: Russell Carter