Possibly one of the most interesting new launches of 2005 is Kelly Archer's new FPB 83, designed by Steve Dashew. Not much info just yet, but the vessel is slated to launch on April 5th. Here's the specs... LOA: 83 feet LWL: 81 feet Beam: 17 ft 8 inches Draft: 5 feet Displacement: 100350 lbs Engines: 2 x John Deere Fuel: 2600 US gallons Water: 1975 US gallons Top Speed: 14 knots Cruise Speed: 12 knots Range: 9,800 miles at 10 knots For further information, contact... Kelly Archer BoatBuilders P.O. Box 302-518 North Harbor, Auckland New Zealand kellyarcher@clear.net.nz +64 (-9) -4158-252
Very nice yacht. Can't wait too see it in real life. Looks a little like Wally 118 in some ways but still gets my vote very impresive.
Definite similarities to the Wally. I'd say it looks like what Wallypower would have been had they designed it as an "expedition" yacht... angular, and an open-air concept.
I think we will see more of these sailing yacht inspired hulls as fuel costs raise. One of the first was actually the Bannenberg/Curran designed Oceana by Oceanfast. Later called Kremlin Princess and Little Sis if I recall right. Sometimes we also go back to the styling from the old steam-ships or narrow powerboats from a century ago. You might have seen my little hybrid-powered dayboat design here at the YachtForums, but I´ll post her again...