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Report on the Capsize and Sinking of Motoryacht Yogi
Last year the new super yacht, Yogi, lost power while on passage, turned beam to the seas, capsized in moderate conditions, and eventually sank. There was all sorts of speculation at the time about...
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FPB 78 – Steve & Linda’s New Dream Machine
When we unexpectedly sold Wind Horse (before we were really ready to part with her) the plan was to take time off from cruising. After a lifetime spent messing around in boats, we considered a new...
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FPB 78 Dream Machine – Ocean Crossing In Comfort and Security
Primary Design Goal – Ocean Crossing Comfort and Security: Our number one priority with this new FPB 78 is still a mix of capabilities that allows us to make long passages safely while keeping us...
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FPB 78 Dream Machine – Interior Layout
Living Spaces: Our new FPB 78 integrates many of the interior features of the Wicked FPB 97 in a more compact package. Entry is under an overhanging deck, which will keep us and our guests dry in...
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FPB 78 Dream Machine – Matrix Deck
Now let’s have a look at what may end up as our favorite area on board: the Matrix deck. The Matrix deck is evolved from the same area on the FPB 97, refined for our needs based on a season of living...
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FPB 78 Dream Machine – A New Approach to Forepeak Usage
The forepeak on our FPB Dream Machine is larger in scale than any previous designs. The higher forward freeboard makes it possible to have systems and storage placed below the sole of the forepeak...
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FPB 78 Dream Machine – Systems, Engine Room, and Storage
Systems, Tankage, Range Under Power: Our FPB 78 will be powered by a pair of L1066 Lugger diesels (based on the Deere 6068 series block). Lugger marinization, in particular their choice of fuel...
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FPB 78 – Dream Machine – Storage
Storage: This new FPB offers us more storage space than we have ever had in the past. The workshop aft will accommodate the 12 plastic tubs of spare parts we carried on Wind Horse, with lots of room...
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FPB 78 Dream Machine – Deck and Dinghy Integration, Anchoring, and Winches
Deck Gear, Docking, Anchoring, and Dinghy Handling Gear: We have adopted much of the deck gear concept that has been developed for the FPB 97, and added a few refinements to the package. One of these...
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FPB 78 Dream Machine – Basic Specs and Comparison With Other FPBs
If you are still with us after all the preceding posts, we’d like to congratulate you on your studiousness! We started out to do something short and sweet, but the best of intentions have gone astray...
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Plating Models – How We Used to Do It
We’ve been gradually reorganizing our offices, and in the process trying to figure out what to do with out hull models. This plating model was in hand yesterday, and we got to thinking it might be of...
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The Dinghy Conundrum Part Two
A couple of weeks ago, we invited suggestions for an ultimate rugged cruising dinghy. We appreciate all of you who took time to shoot us your ideas, of which there were many. What you see here and...
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Stanley Dashew: 1916-2013 – Posted by Sarah
Two weeks ago, at the tender age of 96, my grandfather sailed off into the sunset and on to his next great adventure. One can only assume the sails were trimmed perfectly. Daddy’s Daddy–as my sister...
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FPB 97-1 Plated Up
FPB 97-1 is well along now, with the main framing and plating of the hull almost complete. We spend some of our weight budget on extra heavy topside and bottom plates because these gives higher...
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2013 Hurricane Season Forecasts
The Northern Hemisphere summer is nearly here, and with it the hurricane season. With the FPB fleet getting ready to depart New Zealand for points North, and one of the boats thinking about winding up...
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Cruising Season of Renewal
It is the season of renewal, for those afloat and others afflicted with landed status. In the South Pacific there are two FPB 64s about to depart for points north and a third already heading west,...
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FPB 64-7 Buffalo Nickel, New Zealand to Fiji (Posted by Sarah)
I had the distinct pleasure of spending some time with Valerie and Stan Creighton as they became acquainted with their new baby back in March. Fast forward to June and they’ve just completed an...
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FPB 78: Dreaming Up A Better Way to Launch and Retrieve the Dinghy
We feel that the most dangerous operation on any motor yacht is dinghy launch and retrieval. This applies to our FPB as well, even though our approach, with the dink on the main deck, is much easier...
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FPB 78: Rudder Shaft Engineering – Steering The Right Course
If we had to pick one system above all else that must be 100% reliable we’d say steering. Which is why we fit two complete auto pilots, two independent hydraulic systems, and use intensely muscular...
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SetSail Has Dropped Anchor In Facebook Harbor! (Posted by Sarah)
We are excited to announce that we have joined the Social Media fray. SetSail can now be found happily anchored on Facebook and Twitter. Come find us, like us and follow us as we explore these new...
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