We look at tying up to a dock as a two phased process. Coming in, we want maximum flexibility, and ease of adjustment.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 17, 2010) | Comments (0)
Search on site
FPB Series Notes
Following are the latest posts on the FPB program. This section covers systems, how the FPBs perform in the real world, along with data on why we do things the way we do. For more information be sure to check out SetSail.com/FPB.
Sampson Post and Fairlead
The fairlead over the anchor and the related Sampson post are not easy to execute, hence a costly exercise (not to mention heavy). But we think this is a good investment in terms of weight and budget. Together these two items perform a number us useful functions:
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 16, 2010) | Comments (7)
Rudder Turn Speed – Getting It Right
Various pilot manufacturers offer different ways of powering the rudder.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 15, 2010) | Comments (2)
Genset Sound Shield – Good Idea?
The norm with modern gensets is to put them in a sound shield, which has a huge impact on the noise you normally would otherwise hear. But there are tradeoffs.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 14, 2010) | Comments (0)
Handrail Design
Handrail design and positioning is a tricky art. You want the rails where they are convenient to use, and easy to grip, but not overbearing aesthetically. The photo above is on the starboard side of the entry landing on the first FPB 64.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 10, 2010) | Comments (0)
Life Line Terminations – Flat Plate Bales
We’ve been using flat plate attachment bales for our lifelines for the last 30 years. These are exceptionally strong with lots of weld surface to carry the load. In short they last.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 8, 2010) | Comments (2)
Anchor Roller Design
We previously wrote about some of the details of the FPB 64 anchor handling system. As Circa just sent us a series of photos of the main anchor (a 240 pound/110kg Rocna) being winched home we thought they might be of interest.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 26, 2010) | Comments (0)
Best Color For Engine Room Insulation
Another batch of photos for art planning, this time of the larger engine room areas, which bring to mind the question about the best color for engine room insulation. Above we are looking at the bulkhead over the workbench. The taped outline is 670 wide x 465 high.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 24, 2010) | Comments (3)
Fire Suppression Controls
We have mentioned before we are somewhat obsessive about fire (which is why we have never had one). Watching chafe, good systems installation, and a rigorous cleaning and maintenance schedule reduce the risks to the minimum. Still, you want to be prepared for the worst, which brings us to the photo above.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 20, 2010) | Comments (8)
How Big Should the Dinghy Be?
We’ve often wrestled with the decision on dinghy size. Bigger dinks are drier and typically have a more comfortable ride. They also carry more people and gear. On the other hand, past a certain point, the weight of the larger dinghy makes it impractical to drag ashore. For the two of us anything over 300 pounds (136kg) is going to need an anchor off the beach.
The Owners of the first FPB 64 are avid divers. They want a dinghy that can take four passengers and their SCUBA gear at speed to their destination. On their previous yacht (a Sundeer 64) they were limited to an 11 foot (3.4m) inflatable. The FPB 64 aft deck offers more options.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 19, 2010) | Comments (4)
Side Boarding Ladder
Here is one of those small but important cruising details, a side boarding ladder. We are on Mk IV on Wind Horse, so this one should be perfect from the start.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 18, 2010) | Comments (0)
Engine Room Door Design
You are looking at a small but important design detail, the window in the engine room door, and the view through it. Note that the mechanical Murphy gauges (center left) are easily noted without opening the door. If you have good eyesight the gauges on the watermaker are also in view.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 16, 2010) | Comments (3)
Cleats
Dock line cleats are a controversial subject at Dashew Offshore. There are some who swear by them and others who swear at them. For getting the boat tied up,and adjusting position when there is wind or current to fight, winches combined with high modulus dock lines are the answer. That’s why we have three Lewmar #40 winches plus the big electric winch aft.
For longer term docking, and once the boat is secure, a case can be made for cleats.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 14, 2010) | Comments (2)
Proper Anchor Chocking
A properly design anchor chocking system will allow the windlass to jam the anchor flukes tight between roller(s) and the base of the chock weldment. If you get it right, the anchor stays fixed in place, with minimal movement as the bow feels waves, or drives through them. The result is a quiet anchor. Any softness, on the other hand, and the noise of the anchor shifting can drive you nuts.
By the way, that is a 240 pound (110kg) Rocna anchor on the bow of the FPB 64.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 13, 2010) | Comments (0)
