21. The Search For Heavy Weather: How WIND HORSE Changed Offshore Powerboat Design - with Steve D...
9 July 2026 · 40 min · 366 views
What this video covers
Steve and Linda Dashew developed the FPB 83 *Wind Horse* to address the lack of comfortable, seaworthy powerboats capable of handling heavy weather.1:06 After years of designing and cruising high-performance sailboats like the 78-foot *Beowulf*, the designers sought to eliminate the stress of managing large sail plans and the physical risks of rigging failure during offshore passages.6:49 They transitioned to a motorboat design by removing sails, rigging, and heavy lead ballast, resulting in a fine-entry hull optimized for efficiency and stability.8:36 Despite skepticism from naval architects, the *Wind Horse* design proved successful in 10- to 14-meter breaking seas, maintaining an average speed of 11.25 knots with lower maintenance requirements than their previous sailing vessels.14:42 The designers relied on a combination of CFD modeling, velocity prediction software, and intuitive decision-making to finalize hull geometry.22:03 The project confirmed that a properly designed powerboat could offer superior comfort and range compared to traditional trawlers.26:19
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