A tour around a modern motor yacht is likely to reveal a light, airy and spacious interior with large numbers of windows - many of them opening - and doors giving access to well designed, well protected side decks with protection all round.

In the top half of the market, the quality of fit-out is all important. The joinery in the main saloon is likely to be hand crafted and lacquer finished with woods like American cherry, although a huge range of timbers are available now.

On a modern motor yacht, for instance, the helm position will be a comfortable, airy place, and most of all, an efficient place from which to work, again with large windows, and instrument panels and carefully fitted navigation and communication equipment.

A lot of thought goes into features such as slide away panels, and bifolding doors, features that provide additional space or working surface when required, or just make moving around a boat easier. Galleys tend to be especially well fitted, with space for many 'optional' extras.

In the staterooms and cabins, beautifully detailed woodwork is to be found with integral, moulded shower stalls.

A typical example of what boatbuilders seek to achieve in a new design can be been seen in the artist's impressions the interiors of the new 650 from Seastream Yachts, shown here, interiors designed by Dick Young, who joined the Ed Dubois and Ian Andersen team working on the new Seastream to style the customized interior of the boat.

New woodgrain finishes Wooden finishes of all types are found on board modern craft, the latest addition to the growing range being a new generation of stylish woodgrain finishes in the Caberdecor collection of melamine-faced particleboard and MDF from Nexfor (Caberdecor) of South Molton in Devon.

The new finishes have been created using some of the most sophisticated printing techniques currently available in Europe, and as Nexfor explains, modern advances have brought about printing methods which produce an image with a much greater 'depth'.

Printed on paper, the woodgrains and colours are built up using cylinders to lay down a light base coat. A second, third and sometimes a fourth coat is built up, producing a progressively darker image.

Unlike many of its competitors, the company claims, Nexfor is able to ensure consistency of finish and durability right through its the production process because once the paper is printed it is impregnated with melamine at the Caberdecor plant in South Molton.

The new product is offered in board sizes with thicknesses of from 9mm to 30mm.

Particleboard panels are produced in lengths from 2,440mm to 3,660mm with a width of 2,050mm. MDF panels are 2,550mm x 2,020mm. Other sizes are available on request subject to minimum order quantities. The company says that Caberdecor products are available in low formaldehyde emission, and flame retardant grades, and all boards conform to British Standards, and are manufactured to BS EN ISO 9002.

New lights and lighting A spokesperson for IMP - who represent well known brands such as Oceanair blinds and Cantalupi lighting from Italy, said that boatowners and boatbuilders alike are paying more and more attention to the quality of the fittings they use on board.

IMP highlights the 'Polaris', one of the first LED lights to be launched by Cantalupi. "The power consumption of this courtesy light is exceptionally low", explains IMP. Available in 12/24V and blue, white, red and green finishes, it is currently fitted to Princess and Fairline boats.

IMP says that the key benefits of using LED lighting on board rather than conventional lighting is the lack of heat produced; the reduction in installation as smaller cables are required; the potential to use a smaller air conditioning unit because less heat is produced; and because the life of a LED is 100,000 hours.

IMP has also introduced xenon bulbs to some of the major boatbuilders in the UK. These bulbs reduce power usage, have longer lives and provide a stronger light output than standard halogen bulbs, claims the company.

The complete Cantalupi range includes all types of spots, reading lights, wall lights and dimmers, and according to IMP, new finishes are proving popular with Broom boats and Sunseeker.

Keeping a lid on the light Oceanair, the well known manufacturer of blinds for boats, has re-launched its RAILshade product. Previously a custom only blind, it is now available in four standard sizes to match all hatches sizes (the RSH -1-SA: 360 X 400mm; RSH -2-SA: 470 X 510mm; RSH -3-SA: 550 X 600mm; and RSH -4-SA: 680 X 700mm). Suitable for fitting on vertical and horizontal surfaces, it can be top or face mounted.

RAILshade compliments the PORTshade from Oceanair with a silver anodised finish to offer a complete range to retailers and a co-ordinated interior look for the customer. Distributor IMP says it has noticed a steep increase in orders following the London boat show.

Also new from Oceanair are SKYVenetian blinds, a range of sophisticated 'venetian style' blind developed specifically for the marine market that Oceanair says can enhance the appearance of boat interiors. Other benefits include the fact that the SKYVenetian can improve the comfort and enjoyment of life afloat by filtering light; providing privacy, preventing furnishing and fittings from fading; and keeping cabin temperature controlled. Currently aluminium and wood slats options are available in 62 shades to colour co-ordinated to match the cabin requirements.

Marinised door fittings With an increasing number of motor yachts being fitted out using MDF for cabinet construction, CNC Components, the UK-based vinyl wrapped cabinet door manufacturer has launched a new, contemporary design which it expects to be of interest to yacht builders and fitters.

Significantly, the door/drawer sets do not require handles - a feature that it expects to appeal to yacht and caravan users who have an on-going problem with clothes snagging, a feature that should be particularly useful in the sometimes 'bumpy' environment of a yacht.

The doors are available in a wide choice of synthetic and wood-effect finishes and, for the marine and bathroom markets - where water entrapment is best avoided - the company can supply doors with routered handle grips machined in along the vertical edge of the door.

The door blanks are completely encapsulated by impervious vinyl foils, and offer superior scratch resistance to normal foils. The un-foiled door and drawer fronts, made using 18mm MDF with 8mm deep routered finger recesses, are available ex-stock. All customers' need do is specify the foil they require.

Sleep soundly Peter Tindall, Marketing Director at The Natural Mat Company, recommends that boatowners who are tired of sleeping on a soggy foam bed should treat themselves to a proper night's sleep on board using the The Natural Mat Company's new selfassembly slatted bed base kit.

As Tindall explained to Boating Business , the based kit is designed to fit any irregularly shaped berth, and features the company's 'Airflow Springs?' , which provide sprung comfort and ventilation to uncomfortable boat mattresses.

"Airflow Springs can dramatically increase comfort on board", claimed Tindall.

Laminated in a gentle curve, the 100 per cent beech slats are manufactured to a highest specification for spring and durability. "By placing the sprung slats underneath your existing mattress, an uncomfortable berth is transformed into a fully sprung bed, providing proper support for your back", he claimed.

The Airflow kits is easy to install in three straightforward steps, and by cutting the 1m long slats to length, the kit is adaptable to many irregular shapes. Double berths require two kits side by side.

"Another benefit is that constant ventilation prevents the build up of condensation and mildew, leaving you with a dry berth", said Tindall. "Not only does this increase comfort, but also extends the lifespan of the mattress and the covers, by eliminating rot".

The curved slats have been designed and made to maintain the best spring and support possible over a 1m span.

Combined with the articulated end caps, the entire bed base provides flexibility in every direction, thus adjusting to the contours of the user's body, guaranteeing a better night's sleep.

Gripping rubberised feet allow the slats to sit loose on the bed base, without the need to fix it in any way. This also means that the slats can easily be rolled back to access any locker space underneath.