This is the second in a series of reports on our November visit to Circa in New Zealand. In this blog we’ll deal with the interior of the first FPB 64 (the preceding report covers the engine room).

It takes some imagination to jump from a yacht under construction to what the completed boat will be. When viewing these photos keep in mind the lovely view out the 17 great room windows, now add sophisticated counter tops, finish the galley lockers, install flooring, and fit head and hull liners upholstered in Ultraleather to your mental picture (or review some of the FPB 83 interior photos). The result will be stunning.

The windows of the first FPB 64 are covered to protect them, as a result with the photos that follow it is hard to get a feeling for space which will come when the boat is at anchor. So we will first show you some shots of the second boat, with the windows not yet installed, and work on its interior is in its early stages. Hopefully this will impart a sense of the space with which we are dealing.

This photo is taken from the forward port corner of the great room. The bridge desk extends forward of the framework in the left corner of the photo. Add to this image light blue water, dark blue sky, trade wind clouds, a white beach, and palm trees, and you will start to conjure up the feeling of spaciousness that will occur when we are afloat. Note the protected windows of the first FPB 64 through the starboard side of the second boat.

OK, now to the first FPB 64 and its interior.

This is the view from the watertight door to the exterior. The wet gear/coat locker is to port. There will be a waist high rail to starboard and hand rails at shoulder height.

The galley has excellent storage space, and a cozy, secure feeling. Note that the counter top lockers have not yet been trimmed to fit the structure and are about three inches (75m) too wide. The vertical bulkhead on the left of the photo is the outside of the large (self draining) foul weather gear and coat locker. This is an ideal location for art work.

This view is from the aft end of the salon/forward edge of the fridge box. There is always a conflict between a functional, enjoyable galley with good storage, and visual space in the rest of the great room. As you can see, this galley has a huge amount of storage – more than many homes. We are able to maintain an open spacious feeling to the great room because of the seventeen windows. Your eyes will be drawn over the furniture and out of the windows.

Most of the lockers have hinged lids for easy access. The locker across the aft end of the galley uses sliding doors. This allows you to use the top as a shelf for baskets, appliances, or perhaps just a bouquet of flowers or a bowl of fruit.

The induction cook top (left) will be fitted with sea rails. The hinged (angled) locker faces move outboard about three inches (75mm) when they are trimmed from what is shown here.

Four large and very deep drawers reside within this cabinet. The stairs shown throughout the boat are for the building process. Finished stairs are a little nicer!

We are looking across the boat to port at the Miele speed oven. The dishwasher goes below this.

These hinged lid lockers on top of the counters have eleven inches (290mm) of inside storage space. That is enough for most galley appliances, cereal boxes, and large size canisters. The hinged lids make access easy.

Moving on now to the forward end of the salon and the inside bridge area. This photo is shot from the middle of the settee to starboard.

There is space for three monitors centered (two of which are shown here). The helm chair will be on the right side, where the camera is positioned. Engine controls, radar, sonar, autopilot, engine instruments and primary VHF are all close at hand. Note the space to port of center, below the second auto pilot head (open slot) and Maretron NMEA 2000, display for a computer keyboard and mouse.

Looking here to the port corner of the bridge and across to starboard. The table mock up is to the right in the photo. Note the hinged table section which folds under the table when not in use to provide more cabin sole space between the table and helm chair.

In the forward starboard corner of the great room, at the foot of the settee, is where the main AC electrical panel and bridge area DC panels reside.

We are in the Owner’s suite now, with the camera looking forward from the stairway forward. Those two sections of bulkheads are ideal for art work, which will expand the visual space immensely.

Here we are at the foot of the bunk, looking across to starboard.

The camera is positioned now in the aft port corner. The counter top lockers (similar to the galley) have yet to be installed.

Finally, looking aft from the forward end of the Owner’s suite. Note the bulkhead behind the bunk has been kept clear for art work.

A few final thoughts on the interior of the FPB 64. The crew at Circa are doing a lovely job, as you would expect from Kiwi carpenters. Although we could be considered biased observers, we think the space tradeoffs work really well. The great room and Owner’s suite are simply marvelous. The aft end of the boat, which we did not have time to photograph, is going to do its job well, providing one nice guest suite and a second sea cabin The office has turned out better than we expected.

If you are having a hard time visualizing the build quality from these photos, which is understandable, go back and review the engine room images in Update 22A. It is the same management team at Circa running both parts of the boat.

For larger versions of all the photos from this visit to Circa click here.

To read the engine room post click here.

And for large sized photos of the FPB 83 Wind Horse click here.