When we did our posts on the Wicked FPB 97 we were unable to take you for a tour of the interior due to privacy concerns for the owners. That has now changed and Sue Grant, the managing director of Berthons International has done a wonderful interior and exterior tour. Read the rest »
Having grown up in Southern California, with a sailing and surfing background, riding the waves a natural part of being in or on the water. Our sailing and FPB designs have reflected this from the beginning. Recently we were surprised to learn that some of our owners are afraid of what is actually. one of the best things you can do with our yachts. Read the rest »
For a link to the video which show and tells it all Read the rest »
How do you create the best possible cruising yacht? Read on and we’ll share our formula. Read the rest »
©Stan & Valerie Creighton: Fulaga, FijiWhen your voyaging takes you off the beaten path, where shore power and technical assistance is a rarity, the ingredients required for successful cruising change.
Over the last couple of years we have had a number of discussions about the mechanics of stability and capsize risks. Read the rest »
If you’re thinking about heading offshore at some point, the comments which follow may be of interest.
With the recent capsize and sinking of the mega yacht Yogi in the Aegean Sea off Greece in moderate gale conditions, there has been a lot of chatter about the causes, and several SetSailors have asked us our thoughts. Read the rest »
“Wind Horse is well behaved. She tracks straight. The autopilot gain is set to its lowest level and we find our own way down the waves, showing us occasional bursts to 20 knots.”
–Yachting World Magazine
Most cruisers dream about trade wind passages: long periods with the wind and seas on the quarter, steady winds, and beautiful puffy clouds. But in the context of being comfortable at sea, trade wind sailing is often less desirable than other angles.
The ultimate safety test for any vessel bound offshore is how well it resists capsize. Many factors enter into this equation.
“Even the fine details on board make Wind Horse a pinnacle of cruising dedication, like…the 4 in fiddles on every flat surface in the saloon and galley, and the fact that no matter where you are, a handhold or two will be close by.”
–Motor Boat & Yachting
What we’ve found over the years is that even though a small percentage of our time is actually spent at sea, if this time is not comfortable, then the boats tend to sit rather than move on to new locations.
“The panes of glass in the steering house are 18 mm thick…”
–Motor Boat & Yachting
It’s not easy to make the structure strong enough for a rollover, or being dropped off a wave – but it’s a cinch compared with getting the window system to stand up to these loads.
“Steve and Linda, prefer natural aluminum because it doesn’t demand the incessant maintenance of a painted boat. In fact, the aluminum oxide that eventually coats the exterior is tougher than any paint.”
–Yachting Magazine
We’ve built about half our clients’ (custom) boats in aluminum, and half in fiberglass. During the material selection process, we’re always asked about the maintenance of both.
” Wind Horse is deliberately left unpainted and will take on a dull patina as it self-anodizes. This actually suits Skip and Linda. Apart from removing the need for maintenance, the boat has a low-key ‘workboat’, almost military look about her.”
–Sea Spray Magazine
We have been working through the paint or bare question with clients for twenty-plus years. There are many practical reasons for leaving the topside aluminum bare, but you also need to enjoy looking at the boat.
“The key to this design goal was the ability to deal with heavy weather with a margin for operator error.”
–Bluewater Sailing Magazine
Engineering a boat is a mix of science, numbers, black art, and experience. You have to first establish a set of guidelines to use.
“Our photo boat – a Windy 42 Bora (and a very good sea boat) – is tossed around like a bath toy, but Wind horse just brushes through the crests with laughable ease.”
–Motor Boat & Yachting
Of all the comfort issues facing a passagemaking vessel – power or sail – how it deals with headseas has the biggest impact on crew comfort.
The most important part of the design process is defining just what it is we are trying to achieve.