0109br_winter368
For a builder in his mid-20s, Tim Winter pulled off a remarkable achievement with his first offering – his 62 is not only beautiful, but refined and extremely well executed. But just because he’s young doesn’t mean he’s inexperienced. Winter gained his considerable skills thanks to a degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State and apprenticeships with some of the finer custom boatbuilders along the mid-Atlantic seaboard. What’s truly amazing, however, is that although this represents his first boat, I found little room for improvement.
Performance
Compared to many other 62-footers, this one falls in the midrange weight-wise. At 97 percent load, she tops out at around 43 knots – not shabby by any standard – and burning more than 160 gph. Fortunately, no one runs flat out like that very much. What Winter strives for is midrange performance. Can you push the throttles forward at 25 knots and get instant response? The answer here is an emphatic yes. At cruise, around 24 knots, the fuel burn drops to less than 100 gph.
The boat trolls with slight surface turbulence but nothing to prevent fish from seeing your lures clearly, and its best attributes stand out when a fish comes up and eats. This boat darts and weaves like a welterweight and backs straight as an arrow at better than 7 knots.
Interior
The beautiful combination of cherry and curly maple throughout the Winter 62 gives the impression of teak and holly, only more vibrant. And Winter’s workmen executed the joinery superbly – all seams aligned and no gaps.
One thing that sets this boat apart from all others is the dining area – no tiny table that seats three like a US Airways coach seat. This inlaid table sports hidden leaves that enable it to accommodate a half-dozen or more diners at once. I also like the radius curves throughout. And unlike so many boats, the cabinet and closet doors (many with beveled panels and all with concealed hinges) are not honeycombed; all curves consist of a Packard Forest product called Wiggle wood. A bendable plywood, (also known as Flexply) Wiggle wood normally consists of imported hardwood veneers with the grains all running in one direction, allowing you to bend the panel and apply it to a curved radius.
The galley counter pops thanks to the bright-blue granite surface. And of course, the LED lighting here and throughout the whole boat uses far less electricity while generating less heat.
Belowdecks, you’ll find a pretty standard configuration: master stateroom with a queen berth to starboard amidships, over/under singles opposite and a double/oblique single in the forepeak. The two guest cabins share a head, while the master has its own. However, another singular characteristic about these berths is the incredible amount of tackle and rod storage hidden in each one.
Cockpit
Curves rule the cockpit – from the sides of the stairway to the handsome teak cap rail, everything seems rounded. The obligatory mezzanine hides copious storage, insulated iceboxes and engine-room access. A unique gaff-storage compartment extends under the salon floor.
Engine Room
While it’s a bit tight to enter and has low headroom once inside, you can still work between and around the engines. I like that you can open up the hatch and have any tools you need close at hand. The simple and foolproof sight-gauge tubes for fuel and water are perfectly placed for a quick peek as well. And in an emergency, the crash-pump valves are right inside the hatch too. The new Livos Technologies moisture eliminators (that also provide plenty of air to the engines) seemed to work excellently.
Leaving the boat, my only thought was if this is Winter’s first boat, where does he conceivably go from here? – Dean Travis Clarke
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA……62’2″
**BEAM……18’2″
DRAFT……4’5″
DEADRISE……9 degrees at transom
WEIGHT……74,000 pounds
FUEL……1,180 gallons
WATER……240 gallons
POWER……T 1,550 hp CAT C32 diesels**
PRICE……On request
Winter Custom Yachts / Apex, North Carolina / 252-659-0595 / www.wintercustomyachts.com
