The legend that is FPB 83, WIND HORSE

The FPB (Functional Power Boat) fleet from Steve and Linda Dashew’s Dashew Offshore are for sure, the last word in go anywhere, long distance Explorer Yachts. With their rugged aluminium construction, epic sea keeping, vast range, speed and ability to surf, ability to recover from capsize and well accessed systems, they are the ultimate tool for world cruising, whatever the ocean.

History of FPB 83, WIND HORSE

WIND HORSE was where it all started, when Steve and Linda decided to sell their beloved 80’ ketch BEOWULF and try clockwork yachting. The design process was long and neither of them were sure that the concept would work. The result was WIND HORSE, and after 60,000 nautical miles of steaming, it was clear that the FPB concept was a success. The FPB 64’ fleet of 11 hulls followed, together with the FPB 97 ICEBERG, and three FPB 78s of which the first COCHISE, was Steve and Linda’s next yacht. The final FPBs to be added to the fleet were two FPB 70’s. This iconic fleet of 18 hulls are cruising the oceans of the planet and making magic today. WIND HORSE is at the core of them all.

Here is a video showing WIND HORSE as she is in laid up state today:

Exploring the Accommodation & Deck Equipment of FPB 83, WIND HORSE

Fitted out by Kelly Archer in New Zealand and delivered in 2005, her high gloss teak interior today, looks much as it did on the day that she first splashed.

Her Great Room (main saloon) is light and airy with 360 degree vision, a large galley, seating and dining area and internal helm. She even has seat belts for very gnarly sea conditions and the helm area is at the centre of effort so comfortable in those conditions.

Her Owners’ Stateroom is forward with a large double berth, lots of wardrobe space and a basin. There is a heads compartment and separate shower which is set up to be a bath also.

Aft there are two good twin guest cabins and heads with access to the engine room via a separated shower compartment. The engine room is large housing twin 150hp John Deeres and an 8kVA Northern Lights generator.

This is what the Dashew’s say about FPB 83, WIND HORSE

“When Linda and I decided to design and build WIND HORSE, we were looking for a way to keep cruising on our own as we ‘matured’. Although we missed the challenge of sailing, WIND HORSE was so easy for us to run as a couple and so comfortable at sea that we cruised more than 60,000nm in just seven years of part-time cruising. From the beautiful atolls of the South Pacific to the spectacular scenery and wildlife of Svalbard, past 80 degrees North latitude and into the ice pack, WIND HORSE opened a new world of opportunities for us.

The bare aluminum exterior with its military/commercial look opened doors that would have been closed to a typical shiny in your face motor yacht. This disguise hid an exquisite interior, crafted by New Zealand’s finest carpenters, from golden Burmese teak. That timber was difficult to source and required over three thousand man-hours to finish in high gloss. Moreover, it gave us immense pleasure.

What we loved most about WIND HORSE was the flexibility she gave us. Take for example early January 2008; with no firm plans, we were kicking around destinations when the idea of Greenland surfaced. From Southern California at first, it sounded far-fetched. Eight months of comfortable cruising later WIND HORSE had taken us non-stop to Panama from Southern California, through the Bahamas, then to Canada, up the Straights of Belle Isle and in less than three days to Greenland. After Greenland, we decided to visit the British Isles where we ended up at Berthon for winter storage.

We will always have a soft spot in our hearts for WIND HORSE. She was truly our magic carpet.”

An Insight into the Current Plans for FPB 83, WIND HORSE

WIND HORSE is now for sale and has just completed a refit period. Full information about this is available in her particulars with and there is also a photo brochure. https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/yachts-for-sale/fpb-83-wind-horse/.

She must be sold and offers are encouraged for this legendary go anywhere Explorer.

For further information contact sue.grant@berthon.co.uk.

About Sue Grant | Meet the Berthon Sales Group