Preview - Windy 29 Huracán - Powerboat and RIB

Windy’s continued collaboration with Espen Øino International and Design Unlimited looks set to provide another winner for Windy’s thoroughbred stable. This time, the new steed is the much-anticipated Windy 29 Huracán. HMS reports …

The Windy 29 Huracán is the latest exciting addition to Windy’s ever-growing line-up of high-end sports craft. Thanks to the company’s ongoing collaboration with Espen Øino International and Design Unlimited, the new vessel’s design emphasis focuses on the maximisation of space, along with contemporary styling that rivals the finest in her size category and class.

Space, engineered

Though relatively moderate in terms of her waterline length, the W29 Huracán is, to all intents and purposes, a sports cruiser – and a very fine one at that. Note in the accompanying imagery the boat’s light and airy cabin fit-out. This attribute is achieved by the generous capture of natural light by means of the cabin’s skylights and surrounding bulkhead windows. The interior’s sense of spaciousness is actually engineered too by the clever use of ‘concealment’. In other words, storage, locker units and artistically contrived ‘cubby holes’ abound. In fact, whether it be in the galley, the beautifully appointed shower/heads cubicle or the fore and aft double sleeping compartments, there is a place for everything within this well-lit zone.

Looking forward to the spacious cockpit and full windscreen.

Throughout, it becomes apparent that the underlying thinking behind the W29 Huracán’s simplistic beauty is her maker’s desire to also achieve the greatest degree of functionality. Windy really want prospective owners to use this boat not just as a status symbol but for the purpose for which it is designed: as a highly capable and well-appointed seagoing weekender. The combination of usability and comfort afloat, therefore, has the makings of a very attractive proposition for anyone wanting a manageably sized, potentially even trailerable, family boat.

Generously deep seats with lumber support.

A boat of substance

Not only does the W29 Huracán come with a very respected brand pedigree, but she is, as you’d expect her to be, a boat of real substance. Note how the on-deck furnishings and seating plan unite to offer such great social opportunities. I particularly like the ‘modular’ styling of the cockpit seats, the appearance of which is reflected throughout. This is very handsome indeed, and just look at the depth of those seat bases – super-comfortable and with a good degree of natural shock mitigation about them too.

Spacious social deck layout.

And then there’s the design of the helm station and its associated cockpit area. This more than hints at the W29’s attributes as a confirmed driver’s boat. Thanks to the helm’s commendable ergonomics, the overall driving experience should amount to even greater reward behind the wheel, reduced fatigue and even safer driving. (One word of caution, though: families need to remember that the boat has an open transom, a trend certainly not limited to Windy and common to many current designs, but in my view, requires extra vigilance with young children on the aft deck/swim platform area). But going forward, inbuilt steps to the face of the helm bulkhead take one straight onto a good-sized sun deck bordered by low guard rails. Thanks to the vessel’s beam and flat top profile, the coachroof foredeck is integrated into a very useful additional area.

Spacious heads and washing facilities.

Luxurious aft cabin

The power within

Turning to the matter of propulsion, bearing in mind the current trend for outboard power, it’s noteworthy that Windy have chosen to go exclusively down the inboard diesel option. In the case of the W29 Huracán, depending on one’s preference, clients can choose between either Volvo Penta or Yanmar engines. An inboard installation, of course, keeps a vessel’s COG low, which in turn greatly assists its overall seakeeping, especially in demanding sea states. The beauty of diesel at this present time is its availability, so for those wanting to take this new model off the beaten track, to hunt out those locations far from the ‘madding crowd’, this power option is foreseeably the most practical. The choice of power, together with Windy’s legendary deep-vee hull, promises sure-footed seakeeping as well as that reassuringly predictable handling so synonymous with Windy. The hull’s spray rails too, running as they do right up to the vessel’s stem, will undoubtedly ensure a dry ride in all but the roughest of conditions.

Galley and mid-section.

Windy’s continued collaboration with Espen Øino International and Design Unlimited, responsible for the new Sports Series of which the recently released Camira and now the Huracán W29 are a part, looks set to deliver another winner for Windy’s already impressive stable of thoroughbreds. If you’re planning on visiting boot Düsseldorf 2024, you might catch the W29 Huracán’s official launch along with the announcement of its availability and pricing. But in the meantime, don’t forget, you read it here first!

Double forward cabin

Alternative colour option.

Specifications

Overall length: 8.91m
Beam: 2.7m
Draught: 0.55m–1m (without drive leg)
Weight: Approx. 3.45t (light ship)
Material: Resin-infused GRP
Standard engine: Volvo Penta D6-440 DPI
Speed: Approx. 43 knots
Naval architect: Espen Øino International
Design interior: Design Unlimited
Design exterior: Espen Øino International
Engineering: Windy Design
Engine alternatives: 1 x Volvo Penta V8-430, 1 x Yanmar 8LV-370Z, 1 x Volvo Penta D6-440 DPI