{"id":10743,"date":"2010-03-23T13:49:51","date_gmt":"2010-03-23T18:49:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/fpb-64-first-impressions\/"},"modified":"2010-03-23T13:49:51","modified_gmt":"2010-03-23T18:49:51","slug":"fpb-64-first-impressions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/fpb-64-first-impressions\/","title":{"rendered":"FPB 64 – First Impressions"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FPB-64-first-impressions-11\"<\/p>\n

When we see one of our “children” afloat for the first time, in person, it is always a thrill, tinged with apprehension. This time was no different. OK, the FPB 64 looks cool, but what about those thousands of details which go into a project like this, how do they work out?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"FPB-64-first-impressions-12\"<\/p>\n

Folks have been telling us since launch day the boat was cool, as rad looking as her big sister. And the photos we have been studying are enticing. But seeing Avatar<\/em>, the first of the four FPB 64s now under construction, in person, puts the design into perspective in a manner impossible with just photos.<\/p>\n

\"FPB-64-first-impressions-10\"<\/p>\n

It helps that she is now sitting down on her lines, having been loaded with six tons of fresh water.<\/p>\n

\"FPB-64-first-impressions-20\"<\/p>\n

The first thing we like to do is walk around outside, to see how traffic flows, and check the various details which go into working the boat.<\/p>\n

\"FPB-64-first-impressions-15\"<\/p>\n

The flying bridge has turned out really well. The space works and the opening gates at the forward end are wonderful.<\/p>\n

\"FPB-64-first-impressions-14\"<\/p>\n

As you know if you have been reading these blogs Avatar<\/em> has a big dinghy, 13 feet long by 6.5 feet wide. It fits easily and there is plenty of space forward of the bow for crossing the deck.<\/p>\n

\"FPB-64-first-impressions-21\"<\/p>\n

The foredeck looks nice and clean and we suspect this area, as well as that forward of the flying bridge on the house roof, will become favored sunbathing areas for those still into natural tans.<\/p>\n

\"FPB-64-first-impressions-16\"<\/p>\n

The interior is now uncovered (we’ll write this up in detail in a few days). Circa’s crew have done a first class job on fit and finish, exceeding the original quality specifications we are pleased to report.<\/p>\n

\"FPB-64-first-impressions-22\"<\/p>\n

Finally, the most important part, how the FPB 64 handles and feels under way. We’ve only been out for a couple of hours, and no waves yet to experience motion. Her tight quarters maneuvering is as expected – she turns on a dime. Handling in reverse is excellent with just a hint of stern walk to starboard. The thruster will rarely be required.<\/p>\n

It looks like 1600 RPM and 9.5 knots is going to be the sweet spot of minimum noise for maximum mileage (engine noise is quite reasonable and on a par with Wind Horse<\/em> at her cruising speed). Although instruments are not yet calibrated, the FPB 64 hitting 11+ knots at wide open throttle.<\/p>\n

More to come in the next few days.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When we see one of our “children” afloat for the first time, in person, it is always a thrill, tinged …Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dashew-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10743"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10743"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10743\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}