FPB 97

The largest and fastest of the FPB fleet to launch, the FPB 97 provides effortless transatlantic ability at over 12 knots running on twin 500hp John Deeres.

The basic hull and structure is welded aluminium including superstructure with 4 full watertight bulkheads. The bottom plate is fabricated out of 12mm aluminium plate. She has integral aluminium tankage for water and diesel which form a double bottom between the 4 watertight bulkheads

Conceived and built for owner driver use, but with the option of crew, she has separate crew accommodation close to the full beam engine room with a small crew mess and 2 double guest cabins forward of this. A central lower deck lobby has an office and the owner’s stateroom is vast and is found forward of this, with a secret door to the forward lazarette with masses of room for spares, equipment and toys.

Her great room gives great vision and offers galley up and easy access to the aft deck which has both room for dinghy storage, launch and retrieval and a dining table for alfresco eating.

The matrix deck is large with a seating/coffee area forward and helm station situated aft.

On deck there is easy access at all points and a seating area forward of the great room.

With an overall length of 110 feet, she delivers 312 nautical mile days and at 13 knots has a range of around 4,000 nautical miles. Her unique FPB hull shape provides reliable surf speeds as conditions allow of over 20 knots.

Only 1 x FPB 97 has been built, and she has cruised over 50,000 nautical miles since her launch in 2014. She has proved herself to work well as a crewed yacht, yet she is also nimble enough for owner operator use when cruising locally.

The FPB 97 was developed by Steve and Linda Dashew using FPB 83 WINDHORSE as a scale model, increasing the size of her bathing platform to replicate the dimensions and characteristics of the FPB 97.

A mark two version of the FPB 97 was developed with slightly high freeboard but this project didn’t ever get any further in its development.