In this new FB Design patent, the main structure is the base platform in fiberglass, injected with closed cells polyurethane foam (medium density 60÷65 kg/m3) and five longitudinal stiffeners attached both to the hull and to the cockpit floor. The Structural Foam® patent creates an unsinkable and very resistant hull that combines the longitudinal strength of the stringers with the high density foam for sandwich.
To reduce the working time on the realization of models and moulds, FB Design has bought a five axis milling machine with numeric control (CNC) with a working surface of 24x6,5x3,5 meters, big enough to build a full-scale hull.
It’s well known that narrow boats are far superior in rough waters, but can have transversal stability problems at rest. The STAB® arrangement fitted to all FB Design models combines the advantages of both rigid hull and inflatable boats. The boat is laterally stabilized thanks to two inflatable elements located on the rear of the hull, which increase the beam without adding extra weight.
This equipment is a revolutionary A.C. system, studied for small boats, for higher efficiency and less weight. It’s available in two different basic versions, both delivering about 30.000 BTU.
Engines and gearboxes are controlled by the FB Design control head, fully electronic, with an unique characteristics: the throttle levers do not engage the gear, in order to avoid gear shifting in case of accidental full down-stroke of the throttles.
FB Design 3TAB® system consists of twin side trim tabs, plus eventually a third, central trim tab; a high-sensitivity GPS sensor; and a PC control unit. The system sets the trim tabs angle automatically, in function of speed or it can be operated manually, if required.
The standard fender adopted on every FB Design boat is a very high resistance fender, based on a ‘C’ shaped elastic polyurethane structure, bolted and glued to the hull, which hosts a high resistance, fabric reinforced rubber hose filled with polyurethane foam, glued with Sika adhesive to the main structure.
All the Seats of FB Design boats have been developed through the experience achieved in offshore racing, endurance racing and long distance record breaking.
Step by step FB Design has developed a full range of suspension system seats, which have always been carefully tested in very rough conditions for long periods of time.
In all the outboard versions, where the shape of the boat doesn’t accept the typical integrated tail stairs, this new system lifts divers on board, no matter which heavy equipment they carry, with zero effort.
FB Design is currently working on developing new systems to safely disembark troops and vehicles. When the ramps are not in use they can be hidden in the deck or in a dedicated compartment.
The safety rudder’s blade can pivot around a large pin, and it is bolted to its vertical position through a sacrificial pin (M10 screw), that breaks up when the rudder impacts a floating object or a rock.
Patents are the natural result of FB Design commitment in Research & development field. Since its foundation, in 1971, Fabio Buzzi has always been a forerunner of the new technologies, building, for instance, the first boat in the world using Kevlar.
