The astonishing Fjord 40

by Bob Wonders on 7 Jun 2007 Interesting…. a good word, quite a useful word, but right now not strong enough.
Innovative, well, the Fjord 40 Open is certainly that, but again innovative is not powerful enough.

Astonishing? Incredible? Amazing? Take your pick, really, any adjective expressing some form of surprise will suffice.

I would have been as astonished as anyone among the Sanctuary Cove
International Boat Show visitors when confronted with the Fjord 40 Open. This was straight from the ‘now I’ve seen everything department.

I spent about 16 of the best years of my life to date as a Fjord owner. She was a Fjord 25 (referred to as a Fjord 24 in Europe) with a pair of 470 MerCruiser engines. Her name was ‘Water Rat’ and she was my escape hatch from the working world, my Sydney Harbour sanctuary.

Naturally enough, as a former owner, when I heard there would be a new Fjord at Sanctuary Cove, well, I had to be there for a look, didn’t I? Different?
Calling the 2007 Fjord 40 Open and the good ship ‘Water Rat’ different would be along the lines of claiming the Shelby Ford Mustang differs from the Model T.

Of course, it’s not only the look of the boat that’s different; Fjord cruisers when I was an owner were built either in Norway or the Philippines, where the Norwegians had another factory serving its South East Asian and Pacific markets.
Fjord has since partnered with Hanse Yachts, of Germany, and this very smart, very switched-on sailboat builder intends to take 'an aggressive stand in the motorboat market.'

Despite being a brand new member of the powerboat marketplace, the Fjord 40 Open has not been backwards in coming forward! It has already been named ‘Best in Show’ at the 2007 Oslo International Boat Show and if more similar awards come its way I won’t be the slightest bit surprised.

Peter Hrones, principal of Sydney-based Windcraft Australia, distributor of Hanse, one of the top brands of sailing boats in Australia and now Fjord, said the interest in the ex-Norwegian was quite incredible.

'It’s attracted a lot of people just because of its appearance,' he said, 'and I’m expecting the same thing when we show the boat at the Sydney International Boat Show in August.

'Many who have inspected the boat have compared it to a Wally,' he added.
For those who may not be aware, ‘a Wally’ is a Monte Carlo-based luxury yacht builder, and one reason for the comparison is that prominent naval architect Patrick Banfield, designer of the Fjord hull, has also created hulls for Wally Yachts.

With creative input from Jim Wilshire, or Allseas Design and Mark Tucker, of Design Unlimited, responsible for the vessel’s interior, Banfield and his team have certainly produced a boat that has people talking.

It’s difficult to describe the Fjord 40 Open to someone who has not seen it; difficult because the design bears absolutely no resemblance to anything else currently available.

The word ‘Open’ is very relevant for this is indeed an open boat. Sure, there’s a stateroom with sleeping for two and a head with shower, all done very nicely and accessed via companionway.

To return to that word open – here’s where those who enjoy themselves aboard a Fjord 40 Open will be; exterior seating for 12, more than 10 square metres of sun lounges, a fixed bimini for shade protection, a safely enclosed, walk around deck, and I mean walk around, right around!

Plus a tricky and very clever adjustable helm seat able to accommodate three at the steering console.

Somehow, that’s not much of a description; this is a boat you need to lay eyes on; your next chance is the Sydney International, so take my advice, don’t miss the 2007 Fjords.

This headlining beauty, I guess we could call her the tip of the spear of the new Fjord challenge, is offered with Volvo Penta power, either dual 310hp or 435hp diesels.

The Fjord 40 Open (a Cruiser version with the identical hull is on the way) measures 11.99-metres (39’3') down the centreline with a spacious 3.99-metre (13’1') beam. She weighs in at 7.6 tonnes and carries 1000-litres of fuel and 300-litres of fresh water.

Depending on the chosen power, this eye-catching, fibreglass (epoxy composite hull) beauty will slice through turbulent conditions, without any loss of comfort or safety for those aboard, at speeds approaching 44 knots.
And I am here to tell you, that’s quick!

I thoroughly recommend an inspection of this unique vessel which, for all we know, may well set the standard for the future design of mid-sized motor yachts.
If you’re just too impatient to wait until the Sydney International Boat Show (August 2-7), then give Peter Hrones and his Windcraft team a call, 02 9979 1709, I’m confident he’ll understand your impatience and invite you in for a sneak peek.

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