The Dashew Offshore swim step, shown above in its highest evolutionary form on the FPB 97 Iceberg, started out much more modestly.
The original concept was for use when swimming, dinghy boarding, and for man overboard recovery.
Our first test of the swim step came in Antigua, after a 6000NM passage from Capetown, South Africa.
The 72 foot ketch Locura’s swim step was typical for our modest approach.
No matter the boat size, the majority of the hull was reserved for systems, storage, and accommodations. The swim step was sufficient to do its job and nothing more.
Then Fred Somes, the owner of the Deerfoot 63 Astra, decided he wanted more room in which to play. The extra area added waterline and helped appearance.
Fast forward 30+ boats and we were back to simple functional boarding. This worked really well.
But the longer swim platform of the FPB 64s worked better. A key advantage was the ability to bring the dinghy alongside.
So we are slow learners… But eventually Wind Horse got an extension.
Along with easier dinghy operation, the added waterline brings better speed and lower fuel burn. Downside? None, except for added dock length. But then, neither we nor our owners spend much time tied to the dock.