Progress continues in New Zealand on FPB 64s # five and six, with five being fully plated now.

This photo from several weeks ago show six coming along nicely.

We have mentioned the efficiency of series builds in the past – it is the only way we can get the cost down on such a high quality build – and the next few photos give you a glimpse  of how this works. For starters, there are welding jigs for various components, here showing the flying bridge area.

Plated, fairing plates tacked welded in place, and seam welding under way.

Almost ready to install.

Meanwhile, the coaming and window mullions on five are ready for their roof/flying bridge assembly to drop in place.

Details, like this sealable Dorade vent down pipe, are costly to execute, and in the aggregate add up t o a considerable sum. They also add to the pleasure of ownership, not to mention keeping the interior dry in heavy weather.

Doing a series allows Circa to produce large quantities at  one time.

The castings (on top) will become the cover plates within the coaming.

Various parts of the control mechanisms.

And a look inside a completed Dorade down pipe assembly.

A sonar tube assembly, ready to be welded into the forepeak.

And finally a couple of shots of the carpentry shop.

New Zealand is known for the skill of its chippies, and Circa has some of the best in the land.