The first FPB 64 reached a significant milestone this week, indicated by the photo above. The red Murphy sight gauge with level alarms provides an important clue. There is now oil in the engine. But wait, there’s more.

Can you guess what this truck is doing?

They are loading 1500 liters (400 gallons) of diesel onboard with which Circa will begin testing the fuel system, along with running the engine, genset, and diesel heater.

This always an exciting point for us on a new design as it is a definite indicator we are getting close to the end.

Here’s a Friday test for your powers of deduction. Can you tell the purpose of the device held in place by the hydraulic jack? It is a temporary system for getting water into the intake manifold for cooling the engine and generator.

The other part of the temporary cooling circuit is this recirculating tank.

The propeller is now installed.The prop is 32″ (800mm) in diameter which puts the rudder size in perspective.

The choice of this prop design is the result of many weeks of noodling, computer runs, and dialog with experts. Contrary to what we wrote about overpropping Wind Horse, this prop is designed to allow full operating RPM. However, as the rated engine speed is 2300 RPM, we are in a comparable sweet spot for prop vibration as with the new wheels on Wind Horse.

Stabilizers are now fitted. Note the welded weed deflector and the gap between it and the fin which is required for removal of the fin when it is pinned on center.

Does this look familiar? If you recall our blogs from March of 2007 this is the transducer for a Furuno CH270 searchlight sonar. The transducer retracts into the hull when it is not in use.

Last week we showed you the design for the flying bridge helm station. It now has most of its gear installed.

A Furuno Nav Net Three system is being installed on the first boat with a monitor at this helm and below.

A last shot on deck before we see what is happening below decks. One of the booms has been installed to check running rigging.

The interior helm now has its electronics in place. Note the clear space for the computer keyboard, mouse, and logbook. There will be three monitors.

We are using a hinged support system as prototyped this fall on Wind Horse.

Hinging allows the monitors to tilt aft for access to cabling, and forward to optimize viewing angle when seated or standing.

A final milestone. The last bit of joinerwork to be installed in the Owner’s suite. That’s Brendan, the head carpenter, proudly showing off the handiwork of Circa’s “chippies”.