We’ve been working through layout options in the great room, fine tuning the original design, and creating something new and exciting for FPB 97-1. There is an interesting contrast between two concepts.

The forward end of the FPB 97-1 great room has a different layout from the original concept. Angles and curves have been squared up, and the settee has become a large couch and/or day bed. Notice the narrow cushion sections at the inboard edge. These are supported by a hinged front panel, and provide a much enhanced lounging area for kicking back, watching a movie, or taking a nap.

This is a rendering with the hinged panel stowed. What we have now is a large, comfortable sofa.

With conning being done on the Matrix deck above, the instrumentation here can be minimized, if you so desire. Or, with a few small mods one can duplicate the layout of the Matrix deck.

We are in the initial throws of wrestling with this on FPB 97-1, and are looking at a variety of design options that will preserve the functionality of the navigation and vessel management systems, without creating a Star Ship Enterprise type bridge in this living area.

The bottom line design-wise is that the owner needs to be able to operate his/her FPB from both positions when on passage.

One of the disadvantages of all this computer power we have is the ability to play infinite what-if games. You can vary surface, color, texture, lighting patterns–all of which we have been doing in conjunction with optimizing the look for the owner of 97-1. We are not there yet, but we are getting close.

For comparison, the above rendering shows the original FPB 97 great room layout. Combining working and living areas in one great room has proven itself over and over during the past 25 years. This layout is particularly efficient when cruising as a family, without a large crew on passage. Overall, FPB 97-1 maintains the original open great room design of the FPB concept.

The curved settee of the original design has elicited several comments questioning its wisdom. On a small yacht those curves in the seating arrangement would become a bother after a while, as they limit the areas in which you can relax, feet up, and have good back support. But with the FPB 97, the ergonomics will work fine. You add in a foot stool or two, and then there are lots of comfortable options options for lounging with your feet up and back supported.

 Throw a pillow onto the small table, and it becomes a comfy home for feet while watching a movie on the TV that rises out of the cabinet across the way.

With the day bed/sofa configuration on 97-1 there is a totally different approach to watching TV, lounging, or taking a nap underway while still being handy to the person on watch.

It is exceptionally difficult to convey the sense of spaciousness that will be present within this yacht when she is at anchor or on passage. The combination of the entire outdoor world, with the size and ambiance of the great room, will be breathtaking.

These renderings only give a hint of what lies in store when the first FPB is afloat and you first step aboard.

Now for a few words about the aft end of the great room. Note that the appliance layout has changed slightly. The sink and stove have swapped positions, and we’ve gone to a different configuration of stove. There are a number of advantages associated with this, among which is a superior plumbing run for the stove extraction fan. The fan needs to be plumbed in a manner so that it remains dry in normal sea going conditions, and is easily sealed if heavy weather is in the offing. There is a space conflict with the oven below, so there is a good chance the oven is moving to the starboard side.

We’ve been running simulations in various types of wood. This involves importing a photo of the proposed wood into Photoshop, then creating a “tile” and then applying it to various surfaces..

There is all manner of material available for the galley counters. This is a dark Corian test.

The above rendering shows the original galley layout. The glass breakfast bar extension to the counter has been exchanged for Corian. Otherwise the basic layout is maintained.

The fridge/freezer cabinet and the locker opposite have been taken to the deckhead, for increased storage capacity. This is a tradeoff between storage space, entry definition, and visual openness. A successful case can be made that the entry of the boat is better defined by reducing the visual space above these lockers. As with the smaller FPBs, the washer and dryer will be in the cabinet opposite the galley. (In the original design, the washer and dryer were shown in the systems room.)

And here’s where we are at present on 97-1, a light-colored LG counter top material.

These two great room designs are poles apart in aesthetics, yet both make use of a standardized package of elements. This speeds the delivery time and makes it possible to deliver to the highest standard for a very efficient price.

We’ll close with a couple of exterior renderings, which will help you get a feel for the relationship between the great room and Matrix deck. In terms of scale, keep in mind that the area of the Matrix deck by itself is larger than the great room of the FPB 64.

And then finally a dose of realism to further anchor these renderings.

The great room on the FPB 83 Wind Horse tips the size scale at just about half the volume of the Wicked FPB 97. We are looking aft towards the galley here.

The salon area on Wind Horse is roughly one third the size of the FPB 97.

Above is the great room of FPB 64-1, Avatar.

Back aboard Wind Horse, looking forward from adjacent the galley.

While the Wicked FPB 97 is descended from the FPB 64 and 83, she is in a class by herself. There is nothing of which we are aware that compares.