Purpose-Built, Owner-Operator, 78ft Pocket-Explorer

PURPOSEFULLY ENGINEERED 

BUFFALO NICKEL, an FPB 70 built by Circa Marine, is part of a design lineage unlike any other in long-range cruising. Conceived by ocean-crossing innovators Steve and Linda Dashew and built by Circa Marine in New Zealand, the FPB series was created around a singular mission: to allow experienced owners to cross oceans safely, efficiently, and comfortably without the need for a large crew or heavy-displacement expedition vessel. The FPB approach emphasizes intelligent hydrodynamics, an easily driven aluminum hull, a low center of gravity, and exceptional efficiency. Every system is laid out with clarity and redundancy. Rather than overpowering the sea, the FPB design works with it—moving predictably, operating economically, and giving owners confidence over long distances. The brilliance of BUFFALO NICKEL is its simplicity— everything is engineered to work with the sea, not against it. BUFFALO NICKEL embodies that philosophy completely. She is not a conversion or adaptation; she is a platform designed from the keel up for self-sufficient, real-world passagemaking.

PROVEN PERFORMANCE ACROSS OCEANS 

Where many yachts advertise “passage-ready,” BUFFALO NICKEL provides hard proof. Her cruising history spans thousands of miles through the Pacific and into high-latitude regions where distance, weather, and autonomy truly matter. One of her most defining chapters was the owners’ passage from Japan across the North Pacific to the Aleutian chain and onward into southern Alaska. This demanding route tests planning, stability, and mechanical predictability. BUFFALO NICKEL completed it calmly and predictably—the hallmark of the FPB platform in real-world use. Her seasons in Alaska further showcased her strengths. Exploring destinations such as Prince William Sound, Southeast Alaska, and the Kenai Peninsula required range, comfort, and system reliability. BUFFALO NICKEL delivered all three, offering warm living spaces in cooler months, dependable motion underway, and the independence to remain away from marinas for extended periods. These experiences reinforced why the FPB program has become a benchmark for owner-operated passagemaking. Earlier chapters of her story include years throughout the South Pacific, Micronesia, Indonesia, and the archipelagos of Japan—waters that reward efficiency and preparedness. BUFFALO NICKEL proved consistently capable and reassuring across all of them.

CAPABILITY SHAPED BY COMFORT 

Life aboard BUFFALO NICKEL reflects the thoughtful priorities of the FPB concept. The great room offers panoramic visibility ideal for watch-keeping or relaxation. The interior by Sylvia Bolton blends warmth with practicality, supporting comfortable extended stays aboard. Her solar capability reduces generator use, fostering quiet days on the hook. Mechanical spaces are arranged for straightforward access and maintenance—elements that matter deeply on long passages. Storage throughout the yacht is intelligently planned, making provisioning for longer journeys simple and efficient. Even small daily routines feel effortless aboard BUFFALO NICKEL, a testament to a design created for living well at sea. This is a yacht designed by people who truly go to sea, and refined by owners who did the same. 

A RARE LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY 

In a world where many long-range claims rely on brochures rather than experience, BUFFALO NICKEL distinguishes herself with a publicly documented cruising history. At buffalonickelblog.com, prospective buyers can follow her voyages as they happened, revealing how she performed offshore, at anchor, and through daily life aboard. Such openness is rare among ocean-going yachts. It stands as evidence of her capability, consistency, and thoughtful and proud ownership.