The design of the flying bridge seating, table, and instrumentation is something we wrestled with on Wind Horse (FPB prototype). There were dozens of drawings, and numerous mock ups in our office and on the boat. With the advantage of 45,000 miles of experience the FPB 64 design was much easier.

We’ll start with this series of 3D drawings, and then show you photos of the real thing now going together on the first FPB 64.

There are two conflicting desires for the flying bridge design. It has to work to drive the boat, occasionally in a rolling sea at reduced speed. And it has to work for meals with guests. The worst case scenario is standing off a pass or breaking bar, watching wave patterns, with the boat at rest (with any boat speed there is little or no motion).

We’ve got our engine controls,Maretron NMEA 2000 display, auto pilot control, and windlass control as a start. The first boat also has a remote mic for the VHF,and a Furuno NavNet3D display head. There are power points for 12 and 24V service, and switches for functions like the powered deck winch, horn, and exterior lighting. There is also a joy stick for the thruster and compass.

The table wings fold up for dining, and there are handrails running along each edge for support.

And the real thing.

This looks a bit stark here, but add the stainless rails and clear plastic wind screens, the awning, translucent water, a gentle trade wind breeze, and you start to get the picture.