Following are a series of helicopter and then dinghy level renders of FPB 78-1.
The details shown are pretty close to how the boat will look when she is finally launched.
There will be two dinghies aboard FPB 78-1. The starboard side RIB is 16’ with a 14′ sliding-seat rowing dinghy to port.
For more information on the FPB series, contact Sue Grant: Sue.Grant@Berthon.Co.UK.
Posted by Steve Dashew (September 17, 2015)
September 17th, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Hi Steve: The anticipation must be, well, awkward :). I wonder what the two granny bars on the fore deck are for? Regarding electronics, would it be possible to mount a larger satcom dome (e.g. KVH TracPhone V7) on the edges of the antennae line?
September 19th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Granny bars, Carl, are for the fordeck hatch. Sat domes must be out of the radiation path and/or a certain distance from the radar.
September 17th, 2015 at 5:17 pm
Hello Steve and crew,
Impressive work, as usual
My only question is about the solar panel location and possible glare at the matrix deck helm. Do, or did you anticipate glare and reflective issues when standing or sitting at the helm? It is hard to see the line of sight details and was curious.
Thanks,
Greg
September 19th, 2015 at 2:58 pm
Hi Greg:
There may be some very low sun glare issues but wth the FPB 97-1 this has not been been a major issue.
September 17th, 2015 at 6:33 pm
My new screen savers
September 18th, 2015 at 7:28 am
Steve, She is absolutely beautiful. I know the renderings are just that, but I am drawn to the shadow area covering the majority of the PV panels. If these renderings are accurate, your output may be way down, peak output time being reduced at both ends, especially on east/west passages. From these images alone, the idea of a CIGS type soft PV material on the Matrix roof presents a potential resource to offset shadow losses. Or am I just blowing smoke? Your thoughts.
Have a great day,
Jono
September 19th, 2015 at 2:56 pm
Hi Jono:
Depends on where the sun resides. We have been degrading our output based on what we think is realistic. But we won’t know for sure until we go cruising. Bob Williams at SALT, who know more about this than anyone we know recommended 5.5 sun hours and a .7 efficiency factor.This equals about 13,000 watts/day. We think we will do better, but time will tell. We have not seen anything for the roof that makes sense to us as of today.
September 20th, 2015 at 12:33 am
Steve, the solar crowd seems to forget panel efficiency ‘on passage’ is irrelevant as you’re drawing from the alternators. As your boats are designed for remote anchorages they will swing as the winds and currents dictate. Even the occasional marina visit dictates various angles of sunlight. “Flexible/soft” solar arrays don’t have the same output at this time and I’m sure when that technology comes available and is proven reliable y’all will test and apply where it’s appropriate. Does that sound about right?
September 20th, 2015 at 1:22 pm
You’ve got it, Skip:
Also, we can easily add another solar array as an extension off the aft porch roof.
September 24th, 2015 at 3:38 am
I would not venture to say panel efficiency on passage is 100% irrelevant. To put this into perspective, every 2-5KWh (depending on alternator efficiency, with 24VDC alternators closer to 2KWh) produced is one liter of diesel saved. With sufficient array and long passage, this comes to hundreds of liters of fuel saved. With enough solar panels, you could fit alternator with disconnect clutch (or even remove alternator belts) for sunny transoceanic passage and make engines run more efficiently. Then consider to run hydraulic pumps with demand driven electric pump, and prime movers are free of unnecessary loads.
September 20th, 2015 at 7:48 am
Good afternoon from the Netherlands,
is the matrix roof made of some kind of fabric, why not made of aluminium with solar panels on top ?
Stability ?
Martin Jan Visser
September 20th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Hi Martin:
Aluminum as a Matrix roofing material is a bit heavy for this application. Solar panels in this area are difficult to maintain, and raise the VCG which compromises ultimate stability and therefor requires additional ballast.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:48 am
Off topic but energy related as well as exterior related. Bunkering fuel. You discuss capacity and thoughts on the economics but you’ve never discussed challenges encountered or flow rates etcetera. Came across a blog stating they saw you and Linda “fueling and calibrating” ‘Wind Horse’ and you looked so busy they didn’t want to interrupt you to say hello. Different countries, different devices. I admit I’ve never purchased bulk fuel other than the old oil furnace we used to have. Maybe some of your fellow FPB clients, on there rare stops for fuel, have had some unusual situations around the world. I noticed Iceberg pulled into Nelson on the South Island (AIS). Anyway, just curious.
Thanks in advance.
September 21st, 2015 at 10:59 am
Hi Skip:
One of the advantages of the capacity is the ability to choose where and when to fuel. Depending on where in the world you are there are usually two fueling options. One of a local delivery truck, the other the fuel dock. In most cases doing a complete fuel fill would take a half a day at least. We’ve done this with Wind Horse several times, in two to three hours. The FPB 78 carries roughly 50% more fuel, so time would expand in proportion.
September 21st, 2015 at 5:03 pm
Strictly from an appearance point of view, I’m wondering what a pilot house location for the matrix deck would look like. Probably more military or work boat appearance?