FPB 83, WIND HORSE

Broker’s Comments

FPB 83-1, WIND HORSE is an iconic go anywhere long-distance explorer yacht. The first of the FPBs (functional powerboats), she was designed by Steve and Linda Dashew and built by them for their own use. The replacement for their 80 foot ketch BEOWULF, around 2 years of research and development went into the design of WIND HORSE which was to be their ‘un-sailboat’ … A motor boat with speed, range, sea kindliness, comfort, recovery from capsize and with a motion that would be easy on the crew during long passages. WIND HORSE delivered on all these points whilst Steve and Linda put around 60,000 nautical miles beneath her keel. From their experience with this extraordinary boat, the FPB fleet became flesh.

WIND HORSE was fitted out by Kelly Archer from New Zealand. Her interior is executed in high gloss Burmese teak and with high gloss teak floorboards. Today it would be difficult to find the timber and the standard of craftsmanship in all areas is outstanding.

She is easily managed by two people, yet she has comfortable accommodation for a total of six. Her layout provides for the signature ‘Great Room’ deck saloon with a large galley, comfortable seating and helm station. With her large deck saloon windows of tempered glass, there is 360-degree vision. Forward is a large owners’ stateroom and aft two comfortable guest cabins with access into the engine room aft. This is spacious, well laid out and very easy to work in.

She has chequer plate decks and good stowage for two dinghies and a small matrix deck or flybridge.

In her current ownership, she has been carefully maintained and her systems updated as is needed. She is a handsome and purposeful boat that is ready for many more oceans with her new owners.

• The original build specification of FPB 83-1 WIND HORSE is available on request.
• A survey was carried out in March 2022 and the recommendations from the surveyor have been actioned by the owners. A copy of this survey report is available on request.
• The work list has been completed summer 2023.
• We have current photography further to the recent refit and these are available on request.
• The solar array and charging system aboard WIND HORSE has been upgraded and renewed 2022/23.

Sales Video

Designer’s Comments

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.