Surround Soundings
October 1, 2004
The couple from Washington state knew the routine: Plan for everything on your motor yacht except for audio and video systems, then at the last minute place stereo minisystems and TVs wherever they fit. That's essentially what they did on their first yacht, a 100-foot Nordlund. However, for the 124-foot Aerie from Delta Marine of Seattle, which was launched in 2001, they decided that things would be different. They had experienced custom-designed home theater and audio systems in their home, and this time they were sure to include proper entertainment systems on their yacht.
The couple had planned to live on the boat for two to three months at a time, and they placed a premium on comfort and entertainment. Even the boat's moniker reflects their desire to have a home away from home: Aerie is another word for Eagle's Nest, the name of their house overlooking Puget Sound.; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc(); "the 124-foot Aerie")
The crisp lines of the trideck's exterior are complemented with rounded, soft edges done in a simplified Deco style. The owners' stateroom, usually located on the main deck, was built in the lower deck to provide better stability and less rocking. As a result, the main deck features a VIP cabin with great views. The bar area in the main saloon is limited to increase seating space, and the only outdoor area for sunning is a small deck aft of the main saloon. The owners also opted for a hardtop on the flybridge, which called for some design tweaks so the boat wouldn't look like a stacked wedding cake. (Click image to enlarge)
They also wanted to make sure they had enough space and entertainment for themselves and family members, who include four children and four grandchildren. The Aerie is a floating entertainment palace, with three main surround-sound systems, eight digital satellite system (DSS) receivers, and an audio system with a 700-disc CD library that can be enjoyed in 15 locations, including the dining area, galley, pilothouse, flybridge, boat decks, and even the crew quarters. There are five flat-panel plasma screens, two LCD screens, and six touchpanel remote controllers.
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