There are numerous structural considerations impacting what can and cannot be done with the exterior shape of a design like the FPB 97. The structural requirements of the window mullions, for example, have an enormous impact on the interior and exterior appearance. So too, the connection of the mullions to the roof structure above and coamings below. The deck framing, sole, and roof support systems are other areas that control aesthetic fate. On the other hand, you cannot start the structural engineering, until you have a pretty good idea of the design. But how do you figure out the design if you don’t know the structural requirements? This is like one of those notes that pops up in a spreadsheet program when you’re building formulae that says “circular reference”.

Our approach to this conundrum is based on the WAG principle.

We make an educated (Wild Ass) guess at the key structural elements, insofar as their size and shape, hopefully with sufficient fudge factor so that when the detailed engineering establishes the actual requirements, these are within the scope of our allowances.

That process is now far enough along that the basic framing plan, hull to deck allowances, Great Room coamings, and window mullion/roof structure have been roughly established. We are pleased to report that the engineered numbers are inside of our WAG assumptions.

The original aesthetic design had allowances in it to make sure we’d not lose aesthetic ground to structure. We’ve now been able to fine-tune things a bit, taking back a bit of the excess structural allowances, the results of which you see here.

The differences are small dimensionally, but we think they help the look of the boat.

We think the stern is particularly cool looking.

The view of the aft quarter, not usually our best angle, is a little more svelte.

The renderings are all generated using a 50mm lens set at 2 meters /6.5 feet off the water, or about where you would be standing in a large dinghy.

Let’s say you are anchored in the Tuomotus, low-lying atolls in the South Pacific, and climb a coconut tree (or mast of a nearby neighbor) for a better view. The next series are what you would see from a 15 meter/50 foot camera height.

Of course, while you are up that tree, you might as well pick a couple of nice coconuts.

And on the way back to the boat, we’ll hook up with a grouper for dinner (since the locals have assured us ciguatera poisoning is not a problem here).

Of course, having come from the Marquesas Islands, there are still oranges, pamplemousse, and limes aboard.

Let’s see, what can we do with the limes, a fresh coconut, and the fish? How about a plate of poisson cru (and if you don”t know what this is we’ll leave it to Google). Take our word for it, there is nothing like sitting at anchor in beautiful warm, clear, water, a gentle trade wind blowing, watching for the green flash as the sun sets, while eating fresh poisson cru.

Now a test: given the scenario just posited, what is wrong with these images?

After a long hard day at anchor, a swim before dinner would feel good.

Stay tuned. We’ll soon have a high res version of these images online.