Glass Living

Testing the Modern and Versatile Okean 50.

- Bill Jacobs

SEA GLASS: “Physically and chemically weathered glass found on beaches along bodies of salt water.”

It was not the best day for a boat test—frequent squalls blowing in from the Atlantic, a high-seas warning offshore, skies spitting rain from billowing clouds, the landscape shades of gray. Not the vision of Ft. Lauderdale promoted by the Tourist Council.

But inside the brilliant surrounds of the Okean 50’s main saloon, even this view was spectacular. I felt as if I were standing outside in the rain, but dry. With 360 degrees of crystal clear tempered glass surrounding the high-tech helm and saloon, nature became part of the interior even with all the saloon openings closed.

Transparency was not the feature of the boat that I came to write about, but it perhaps overshadowed even the unique pair of balconies that deploy from the freeboard, increasing the afterdeck space by a whopping 100% to a total of 228 square feet.

You will no doubt see photographs of this unique yacht, but what is not always apparent in them is the complete openness of the main saloon. In addition to the wraparound “sea glass” views, there are sliding glass doors on the starboard side that disappear when opened, a double-hinged door to the afterdeck, and a large opening pass-through from the galley to the portside deck. When everything is opened and both balconies are deployed, you are surrounded by space. And all this only enhances what is a fairly spectacular saloon itself, one that contains an enormous settee, a finely crafted hi-lo table, an entertainment center, and a compact, efficient galley.

BORN IN BRAZIL