Continuing on with our update, let’s look at the great room con, the logic for which has changed completely.
Originally, we thought of the Matrix deck as the primary helm and the great room as a secondary location, mainly to be used for offshore and off soundings watch keeping. As such, it had a minimum of electronics and controls. This area has evolved into a full helm station, with the real estate to have the same electronics as above if desired. We are still thinking on this for FPB 78-1.
There is space for three wide screen 19” monitors, a laptop, and variety of other controls. The wrap around design gives us a bonus in vertical surfaces for electronics, with space left over for miscellaneous nav item storage (binoculars, logbooks, etc).
Placing the con area in the center of the great room area offers a number of advantages. These include:
- The most direct viewing angle forward through the windows
- Clear sight lines to each side, with the ability to get close to the window surface if desired in difficult visibility conditions
- The c-shape holds your body in place in rough weather
- More salon layout options are possible
- We have room for a large chart table, shown here as a foldout section of furniture
- There is minimum visual impact and intrusion into the great room ambiance when at anchor
The port forward corner lends itself to a variety of uses. For FPB 78-1 this will be left open, with a foldup chart table. Charts will be stored folded in half, in a large drawer under the end of the port settee.
With the chart table put away there are many possible seating arrangements.
We really like the flexibility this gives us.
And the helm chair now becomes useful in other groupings.
The floating shape of the revised helm station does not visually dominate the great room, which we consider a bonus.
The galley layout has evolved as well. The fridge and freezer are larger. There is now 20 cubic feet/580 liters of refrigerator and 16 cubic feet/460 liters of freezer. Between drawers and countertop lockers there is a huge amount of easily reached storage.
The oven has moved into the aft counter.
A full sized sink, dishwasher drawer, and the microwave under the induction cooktop make for a galley which is efficient at anchor and underway.
Details are still being worked out on the lighting systems. This is a hint of what is coming…
There are numerous refinements and details yet to share, so check back frequently over the next few weeks.
Posted by Steve Dashew (July 4, 2014)
July 5th, 2014 at 5:14 am
Great lighting, red LED strip lights could easily be incorporated if required.
I love the helm position!
The interior finish and hues look very liveable and versatility of space.
My wife loves the galley, a pity she hates boating!
July 5th, 2014 at 7:02 pm
Hi Steve,
By and large, I like the changes. What about extraction for the stove? I realise most ‘smelly’ cooking could be done on the BBQ outside, but all cooking produces smells, and fan extraction might be difficult from the center like that, no?
July 6th, 2014 at 9:17 am
Hi Anthony:
There are a pair of 1400 CFM extraction fans in the aft port corner, over the fridge box.
July 7th, 2014 at 10:24 am
Steve, looking better and better – I assume a trash compactor will be fitted as well?
July 7th, 2014 at 12:29 pm
Trash compactor dependson owner. We are undecided at this time. But if fitted, probably aft in the workshop.
July 8th, 2014 at 1:14 am
Plenty of grab rails around the cabinets, etc. will you include overhead grab rails as well?
July 9th, 2014 at 9:47 am
Overhead grab rails are of limited usefullness on the FPB 78 given the headroom. For shorter folks they are too high. So we will use a grid of adjustable height spectra handholds that can be set at a height which clears the taller heads, but are reachable by vertically challenged individuals. It will take about five minutes to install these before heading offshore. There will also be several strategically placed staple rails in the open sole area forward.
July 9th, 2014 at 3:11 am
I really like the setup of both, helm and galley. My only consideration would be the microwave under the cooktop. If I’d had to decide, I’d put it on top of the working area to the right side of the fridge. I think if the microwave is used frequently, I like to access it without always bending down. Regarding the helm, do you think the setup could also be used on the 64? It looks much less space consuming..
July 9th, 2014 at 9:51 am
Hi Phillip:
Microwave location is function vs aesthetics, We have always lived with it under counter in the past but on FPB 78-2 it will live on top of the aft counter. Re the 78 style nav station on the 64, the space is too limited to allow this approach.
July 10th, 2014 at 3:52 pm
LOVE THE COLOR SCEME CHOSEN FOR THE RENDERING. VERY CONTEMPORARY! IS IT YOUR FINAL CHOICE? WILL YOU BE CARRYING IT BELOW DECK AS WELL? HELM EVOLUTION MAKES A LOT OF SENCE, I LIKE IT A LOT. CAN’T TELL FROM THE RENDERING, BUT ARE COMMS BEING CARRIED IN THE STARBOARD RETURN UNDER THE THROTTLE QUADRANT? LASTLY, WHERE DID YOU FINALIZE THE ELECTRICAL PANEL LOCATION?
BOY DO YOU FEED THE IMAGINATION! THANKS!!!!
WARMWEST REGARDS,
JONO
July 10th, 2014 at 7:07 pm
Still working on colors and fabrics. Inside helm layout is being digested and the radios are probably under the the shift/throttle control. Electrical locker is still in aft starboard corner and is detailed in the main FPB 78 post.