Not-So-Lone Wolf

Peter flew to the other side of the world to buy the boat of his dreams but got more than he bargained for when he cruised home on another, strangely familiar yacht.

- Peter Watson

When I was asked to write about why I was building my FPB 78 Grey Wolf II to replace my FPB 64 Grey Wolf, I smiled, as the purchase of my small FPB fleet actually came about almost the other way around! Let me explain…

I have always been a mad keen yachtsman and I love to go places. I live in the Channel Islands, and my original trusty Botnia Targa has taken me to Norway and many places in between. She is still in the fleet and is definitely a keeper, as she is great for the treacherous waters of the Channel Islands and for excursions to France for lunch or our holiday house, and for trips back to the UK as well.

During the planning for the sale of my business, I looked hard at the market to see what we might buy as a family to take us further afield. My non-boating wife Judith is game to join in but the Targa lacks anything more than the basics below decks, and maritime camping is quite sensibly not her thing. We also wanted space for friends and a yacht on which I could cross oceans. I had looked at all the usual suspects and then came across the FPB Programme, built in New Zealand by Circa Marine, and designed by the legend of blue-water sail and power cruising, Steve Dashew.

A FLYING START 

I was keen to know more, and after many conversations with Sue Grant at FPB’s global marketing agent Berthon, and Steve Dashew himself, it became clear to me that an FPB could offer me the ability to cross oceans, experience high-latitude cruising and to do so quickly, safely and economically in comfort. The more that I talked and read, the more it looked as if this could be the yacht for Judith and I.