The living space is consistently designed for spaciousness, brightness and a pleasantly cool on-board climate. A key component here is the dodger, which is not intended as a retrofitted sprayhood solution, but as an integral part of the deck structure. It is precisely this design idea that characterises both the spatial effect and the ventilation below deck.
Despite the compact boat length of the design of Judel/Vrolijk The headroom of around 1.85 metres in the companionway area is remarkable for a boat of this size. This is possible because the dodger is structurally integrated into the deck, creating volume without the superstructure looking like an attached cap
Climate and exhaust air: air circulation instead of heat build-up
Even at high temperatures, heat build-up is not to be expected from the design. The approach has already been tried and tested in practice, including on the Bente 28. Unlike on many classic yachts, where the companionway is often small and at a level that literally traps warm air in the deck structure, the deck here is designed to rise slightly from the bow and rises towards the stern. In combination with a large and open companionway, this creates a chimney effect: warm air can escape upwards and the air circulates noticeably better. For extremely hot summer days, for example in the south or in the Mediterranean, a DodgerMesh can also be fitted, which is attached to the dodger with four press studs and also serves as a privacy screen like a "hood". In addition, the tinting of the dodger panes acts as light and sun protection in a similar way to large motor yachts or catamarans, especially when temperatures rise above 30 degrees.
Base and options: Simple to start, versatile to expand
The standard interior of the Bente is deliberately kept simple and reduced to the essentials. If you want to make the boat more suitable for travelling and weekend cruises, you can optionally convert it into a pocket cruiser. A modular furniture system is provided for this purpose, which can also be retrofitted by the owner himself with a little manual skill, similar to the principle of well-known self-assembly furniture systems. Alternatively, Bente dealers can provide suitable retrofit kits, for example for a pantry or a toilet room.
WC and privacy: concealed, flexible, quickly installed
The toilet solution is designed to be variable and remains inconspicuous in everyday life. The toilet stowage space is concealed under the saloon bench seat, and an optional cushion can be moved forwards or aft as required. A separate toilet room can be set up if required, but can also be removed again if the crew wants to maximise the open use of the boat. Depending on the configuration, assembly should take around an hour.
Galley and on-board technology: customisation without seacocks
The galley is also designed to leave room for customised solutions. A furniture component is available ex shipyard, which the customer can customise themselves or via the dealer location, for example by integrating a cooking area or a washbasin system. A closed fresh and grey water tank system in the form of canisters, which does not require sea valves, is particularly practical. Sockets for various devices are provided for the on-board technology, for example for a laptop or tablet, and additional 12-volt connections, for example for a compressor cool box. This means that food and, in particular, drinks can be taken from the car to the boat chilled and later taken home again just as easily.
Light, storage space and details: customised comfort
Further equipment details are optionally available for comfort on board the Bente. These include indirect lighting and reading lamps, as well as a saloon table, which can also be used as a cockpit table if required. In addition, fixed storage compartments or cupboards are available as required, supplemented by pockets to facilitate flexible organisation on board. The basic idea remains the same: The boat should be as simple and uncomplicated as possible to get ready to sail from the shipyard, but at the same time offer many useful options for later customisation, which can either be carried out by the owner themselves using the modular principle or implemented via the dealer.
Energy on board: Dodger as a carrier for flexible solar modules
After all, the Dodger can be used not only as weather protection, but also as a functional surface for energy generation. It is ideally suited as a carrier for flexible solar modules to cover the power requirements on board. The specific solar concept is planned individually with the dealer according to the customer's wishes, while the manufacturer provides the appropriate mounting surfaces and conditions from the shipyard.
Further links on yacht.de
- YACHT Premium (yacht.com)
- All subscription offers at a glance (yacht.com)
- Yacht market (yacht.com)
- Buying a used boat: a guide through the online jungle (yacht.com)
- Bente 25: First performance
- Bente 24 and the competition: the big comparison
- Bente 24 in the big YACHT test
- Bente 28 in an exclusive YACHT test
- Bente 39 in test at Yachttv
- Bente Yachts: The brand
Fridtjof Gunkel
Deputy Chief Editor YACHT
