2017 Circa Marine FPB 78 | 86ft

Engineered for Toughness:

The FPB 78s are the toughest of all the FPBs with a massive upgrade in the already extra strong hulls. With five watertight bulkheads and double bottom, which extends 6’5” / 2m forward of the forward accommodation watertight bulkhead to the engine room bulkhead.

The centreline plating is one inch / 24mm thick. Outboard of this, from forward of the central watertight bulkhead to the rudders the plating goes to 5 / 8” / 16mm (light green colour in the nearby image). Elsewhere plating is ½” / ½12mm to above the chine waterline (pink colour). The topsides are 8mm. There is a collision bulkhead five feet / meter and half-aft of the bow. A stem-bar extends off the centreline girder in this collision containment area. This stem-bar is 1.75” / 40mm thick and 10” / 250mm deep. It and the topsides in this area are supported by five horizontal stiffeners (breast-hooks) which extend aft into the forepeak as topside stiffeners.

Hull frames in forward forepeak are closer together than other FPBs and the topside stiffeners are overbuilt. As a result of the size these they double as shelves.

Hull, Deck & Superstructure Construction:

• Basic hull and structure are welded aluminium including superstructure with five full watertight bulkheads.
• Bottom is nominally 12mm aluminium plate, 24mm in mid drying out / grid area, 16mm turn of bilge aft through to rudders.
• Integral aluminium tankage for water and diesel forms a double bottom between the middle of the forepeak to the engine room forward bulkhead.
• Four internal watertight doors by Freeman Marine.
• Main deck and swim step watertight doors by Freeman Marine.
• Forepeak hatch and aft deck hatch by Freeman Marine.
• Bomar hatches for ventilation, natural light, and emergency escape with retracting screens and shades.
• Matching grey tread master decking on exterior decks.
• External handrails, stanchions, and foremast of low maintenance aluminium.
• Specially rigged booms for launching dinghies.
• Booms are rigged for easy deployment and retrieval of stainless flopper stoppers, which are stored in special cassettes on the swim platform.
• 13,000lb of lead added to keel increases stability and conform with MCA MGN 280 CAT ‘0’.

Window Construction:

Window glass supplied by Bent Glass Design and glued in place with wide flanges. 12mm threaded, welded inserts are placed in each corner for use during installation. These inserts can also be used to hold storage covers in place.

• 12mm Tinted HPML-CG Laminated Marine (Hurricane) sides.
• 15mm Clear (3ply) HPML-CG Laminated Marine (Pilothouse) forward facing.
• 9.25mm Clear HPML-CG Laminated Marine (High impact) aft facing and entry door.

Matrix Deck Windows:

• 4mm Tinted HPML-CG Laminated Marine (Lightweight) sides.
• 4.4mm Clear HPML-CG Laminated Marine (Lightweight) (High impact) forward facing.

Engineered for Quiet:

GREY WOLF II was designed from the beginning to be exceptionally smooth running and noise free. She had further build modifications to improve noise levels. This starts with the very thick aluminium plate extending (5 / 8” / 16mm) under the engines and over the propellers. Close framing in the way of the propellers further reduces natural harmonics.

The use of thick EPDM foam for normal hull and deck insulation contributes to sound absorption. The fire control insulation in the engine room covers both bulkheads, hull sides, and the deck to reduce the amount of noise leakage. The air intake and exhaust vents are lined in EPDM foam and baffled to reduce noise on deck.

The engine exhaust systems include both Centrek aqua lifts and mufflers, the latter including special remixing chambers that reduce the tendency for gas and water to separate. The generator also has a gas water separator to quiet the normal generator discharge noise.

Each interior bulkhead, beginning with the forward face off the engine room bulkhead is especially engineered with air space, sound dampening Visco Elastomeric sheet, and sound absorbing foam, and is mounted with isolation material.

Engineered for Manoeuvrability:

The FPB 78 takes the FPB fleet manoeuvrability to a new level. The thrust from twin engines against the large rudders with a 35° rudder angle either side of centre and a seven second hard over to hard over time, coupled with a proportional bow thruster, hydraulic stern thruster makes for exceptional close quarter manoeuvring capabilities.

Spring line cleats mean that aft and forward spring lines can be powered against to pull the boat onto the dock. Two Lewmar 64 electric self-tailing winches, one forward and one aft can be used for both dock lines and kedging. The anchoring bowsprit is also designed to be pressed against pilings or the dock and in the most adverse conditions, it often works to bring the bow in at right angles, and to hold her against the dock with the propellers whilst the boat is winched onto the dock.

Engineered for Performance:

• Max speed approximately 13.25 knots @ 2300 RPM.
• Cruising speed 10.5 knots @ 1650 RPM.
• Fuel consumption @ 1650 RPM (10.5kts) seven to eight gallons / 28-32 litres per hour, smooth water, calm wind, clean bottom and propellers, half load.
• Cruising range @ 10.5kts – 6100nm, before safety factors.
• True Engine Hours - 4,501.
• The FPB 78s have demonstrated the capability of using their unique hull shape and power to surf, locked into waves for long periods with no tendency to broach.

Engineered for Efficiency:

• The FPB 78s approach is to deliver carbon neutral capability at anchor, including the running of air conditioning in many cruising environments. This is the result of many factors starting with the reduction of heat load through glazing, window films, window and hatch covers, motorized blinds in the Great Room and extensive EPDM insulation.
• Powered and passive ventilation without opening hatches also play a key role.
• While at anchor, GREY WOLF II’s extensive solar array keeps the house battery bank charged. Underway, the solar array frequently supplies the electrical requirements of the boat without using the alternators (in hot climates).
• The traction battery bank is of sufficient size to carry the overnight loads of air conditioning in the Owners’ and Guest suites (with judicious use).
• The size and dual output capability of the generator allows battery charging while using other high amp 240 VAC consumers that take maximum advantage of generator time when it is needed. The generator is fitted with an auto start.
• Underway, the two alternators through the inverters are sufficient to power many of the high amp 240 V consumers.
• This all adds up to fuel savings and maximum operating flexibility.
• The anti-foul – refurbished early 2022 along with the required coding survey works, routine works and replacement fin seals.
• Grey Wolf was surveyed in 2022 for with a full 5-year MCA survey for CAT ‘0’. (She has an inspection by the MCA annually).

Engineered for MCA MGN 280 Category ‘0’ and MLC 2006, worldwide travel, and Maritime Labour Convention compliant – additional features are listed below.

• Tanks - Additional tanks are fitted so that the free surface effect and therefore stability are great. The capacities are like GREY WOLF’s sisters.
• Lead.
• Emergency batteries.
• Water upstands.
• Light.
• Noise levels.
• Bunk sizes.
• Mosquito nets.
• Storage.
• Heads.
• Life rafts.
• Polar equipment.
• Medical equipment.