FPB 78, COCHISE

Broker’s Comments

FPB 78, COCHISE is an astonishing motor yacht designed by Dashew Offshore for serious passage making and represents the very best of the qualities required for sustained operations in the harsh but beautiful world of high latitude cruising. She is part of their FPB (Functional Power Boat Series). The FPB 78 #1 was designed by Steve and Linda Dashew for their personal use to allow crew and/or longer term friends and family aboard. Three of these yachts were built with the other two going to very experienced yachtsmen, both of whom were former FPB owners. Although similar in appearance to other FPBs the FPB 78s are a step up the evolutionary ladder.

They are optimized for going upwind, yet still surf readily. These three FPB 78s have proven the Dashew’s design concept by making a series of remarkable voyages look easy. COCHISE steamed 7,000 nautical miles from Fiji to Panama, with one fuel stop, averaging ten knots against the prevailing trade winds and currents. The second and third FPB 78s have also crossed the Pacific backwards, and then voyaged to Antarctica. Built to a high standard by Circa Marine in New Zealand – she was beautifully maintained by the Dashews and has many refinements to make it easier for the Dashews to handle her 2 handed.

Her current owners shipped her from the USA to Europe and after a Northern Waters cruise, COCHISE was positioned in the UK at Berthon for a refit to fit her for an intended world cruise as a family with a full time crew of 2. This refit is now completed and she is offered with the benefit of a massive and thoughtful spend. Throughout this programme her captain, who was also aboard the yacht in the Dashew’s ownership, has overseen this programme. The work carried out is far too extensive to list here so there is a refit document which details these works available on request. Some of the key areas are as follows –

• Full upgrade of all navigational instrumentation.
• New twin cabin with en-suite forward of the owners’ stateroom with a reworked forepeak.
• New crew accommodation aft with crew mess, shower and heads compartment and double berth.
• Redesigned matrix deck with FlexiTeek, new seating area, wet bar, new helm station and an extension aft to provide a large alfresco seating area with bimini.
• Fitting of Lithium Ion batteries and upgrade of all charging systems.
• Full service of all systems.
• New smart saloon table.
• Modification to the solar array.

COCHISE is now in perfect condition and ready to make for any ocean. Sadly her owners’ plans have changed and hence she is being offered for sale. She provides a unique opportunity for fast, safe and very comfortable blue water cruising without compromise.

Note: The photographs aboard COCHISE are included in the sale and were all taken by Steve Dashew.

Sales Video

Nice to Meet You – Crew of FPB 78-01 (COCHISE)

Owner’s Comments

We were looking for something that could be handled by a couple, but could also be crewed if needed. Safety was a major factor and something we didn’t want to compromise on. Also, we didn’t want to be limited in our destinations, and so the draft combined with range capacity meant essentially that with COCHISE everywhere was open to us.

The planned route was to leave from the Baltic, head down to the Canaries, across the Atlantic to the Caribbean for the winter, then through the Canal and up to Alaska for some fishing the following summer. Then down to the Galapagos and eventually across the South Pacific. Spend some time in New Zealand and Australia before crossing the Southern Ocean.

The most important part of COCHISE’s recent refit was the Matrix deck where we have increased the relaxing exterior space. Also key is the expansion of the battery capacity which allows more time at anchor without running the generator.

The 360° sonar up forward is not just for ice and coral, but great for finding fish as it is often used by commercial fisherman. The new Furuno head unit on the swim platform is also very helpful for being able to see what is below you by using the WASSP transducer.

COCHISE is light and airy and incredibly easy to relax on. Confidence in her systems and build mean that there is much less to be worried about.