It is no secret that one of the things we enjoy most about cruising are the wildlife experiences that come our way. Having become temporary inhabitants of Pulpit Harbor, we have taken more than a passing interest in the efforts of the osprey parents to get their chicks into the air. Several times a day […]
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Lightning Strikes And How To Prepare
We’ve been fascinated by–and worried about–lightning strikes onboard since we saw the aftermath of a strike on an almost-new yacht in New Guinea. It had a piece of hull blown out below the waterline and lost most of its electronics/electrical gear. This is not an easy subject to discuss, and there are many different opinions […]
Riding Sails – The Answer To A Variety Of Issues
This evening we have three yachts anchored with riding sails set. Riding sails being an important part of any cruising yacht’s equipment, and it being dark, we thought we’d combine a photographic test with some comments. All of our sailing yachts have been equipped with some form of riding sail, either mizzen, or “backstaysail” (a […]
FPB 97-1 Aluminum Plate Shipment Arrives – Plate Cutting Begins Soon
A milestone in the FPB 97 program – the first shipment of aluminum plate has arrived from the distributors where it has been in storage. This is of course 5000 series alloy, with certs on its metalurgy. A small part of the inventory, which will soon be on the bed of the computer driven cutter. […]
Testing The Underwater Exhaust In Various States Of Trim In Preparation For The FPB 97: Motion Impact
One of the most difficult design aspects to get right is an underwater exhaust. Powerboat builders and designers have been wrestling with these issues for years, and nobody–let us repeat that, nobody–has a pat answer. With conventional motor yachts, there is so much horsepower involved in propulsion that exhaust noise is a major issue. Add […]
Pulpit Harbor – It Weaves A Web
Pulpit Harbor, Maine is one of those destinations that can catch you in its web. There is room to anchor, it is well-protected from all but one direction, wild life a-plenty is in residence, interesting boats to study come and go, and there are friends new and old with whom to discourse. Add good communications […]
Solar Output In Foggy Maine – Will Assumptions On The FPB 97 Stand Up In This Environment?
The big question with our solar power calculations has been: what would we see in the real world? The 320 Watts per panel (of which there are four) is the theoretical maximum. You then degrade for shadows, less-than-perfect angle of panel and sun, dirt on the panels, and clouds. We have assumed Maine would be […]
Efficient, Versatile, Easy-To-Use Communications: What Is the Answer For Cruisers?
Wind Horse is at anchor in Pulpit Harbor, Maine. This is a lovely anchorage: a few other yachts on moorings, room to anchor, calm enough for the rowing dink, and an osprey nest at the entrance. It is less than an hour from “civilization”, as in Rockport or Camden. We could sit here for […]
Piloting In Fog – How The New Flying Bridge Is Working Out
If there was ever a test for the re-modeled pilot house aboard Wind Horse, it would involve piloting in thick Maine fog. Between navigation, keeping watch for other vessels, and dodging lobster pots, it is essential for crew, visibility, and electronics to work efficiently together. We have been pleasantly surprised at the visibility with the […]
Wicked FPB 97-1 High Res Slide Exterior Slide Show
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