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Fairline Squadron 58 - Fairline Squadron 58
by Eston Ellis
One cruise is never enough
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The name’s Squadron 58. FAIRLINE Squadron 58.
OK, it’s a boat, not a secret agent. However, everything about this good-looking, suave and sophisticated Brit makes you want to follow along and become a part of the next adventure that comes its way.
While the first thing about the Squadron 58 that catches your eye may be its rakish good looks, its real beauty lies underneath the surface -- of the water.
Designed by Bernard Olesinski and the Fairline Design Team, the hull features a deep-V entry and 18 degrees of deadrise aft. Full-length molded-in spray deflectors keep things dry under way -- both in the cockpit and on the foredeck.
The boat is solidly constructed, with the hull-to-deck joint both bolted and bonded. Beefy fiberglass stringers provide both transverse and longitudinal strengthening throughout the hull. The 58’s deck construction utilizes polyurethane foam core for added strength -- and, as a bonus, it also results in better thermal insulation and soundproofing.
At 22 tons, this boat is definitely no lightweight -- but thanks to its carefully calculated blend of lift and propulsion technology, it moves and handles like a sportboat. The boat’s long integrated swim platform gives the boat increased waterline length for improved performance, especially at lower rpm settings.
The boat’s big propellers are mounted in semi-tunnels, so that the engines can be located farther aft. This reduces draft and improves operating efficiency by reducing the shaft angle.
Fairline boats are built to handle the choppiest waters and the messiest weather -- which is what British boaters have become used to encountering much of the year. The hull is built to minimize pounding, to provide a soft and stable ride.
Not a Picture-Postcard Day
We tested the 58 off San Diego with H & S Yacht Sales’ Fairline product manager Brendan Dooney and vice president of power boat sales Tom Nuxoll. The test boat they provided was the first Squadron 58 on the West Coast, and we were eager to see how it would perform.
It was a dark, cloudy and cold winter morning. As we left the protected waters of San Diego Bay, it was extremely choppy, and we watched some big excursion “cattle boats” rocking wildly as they powered ahead through confused 10 to 15 foot seas.
Our Fairline took on these conditions with calm assuredness -- and if it could talk, we’re sure it would have said, with a smirk, “You call THIS rough?”
We increased our speed and took off into open water, quickly reaching a cruising speed of 27 knots, at 2,000 rpm. Even on this crummy day, we were able to reach a top speed of 33.5 knots (the company has tested the boat at up to 34 knots), at 2,350 rpm.
We seemed to reach our top speed effortlessly, and the engines purred quietly enough for easy conversation at the helm. The boat was quiet not just because of double insulation in the engine room, but because of the solid construction of the 58’s hull and its tight hull-to-deck bond.
There was no vibration -- and there were no creaks or groans under way -- no matter what the speed or the maneuvers we performed. We rode those whitecaps like a sportboat and the hull took its share of pounding, but we weren’t jarred. Our ride was stable, solid and remarkably soft, considering the conditions.
We carved doughnuts into the ocean at speed, and we banked into turns as handily as a much smaller performance boat. Our 58 was remarkably responsive to the wheel -- and a joy to drive.
On the way back through San Diego Bay, we had a real-life James Bond experience. A Navy ship was heading out to sea as we were coming back through the harbor entrance -- and suddenly, our boat was within its “personal space.”
A rigid inflatable boat with three Navy Seals aboard sped out toward us from behind the ship. The man behind the machine gun turret at the bow pointed his gun straight at us. We waved -- but no one waved back.
As the Navy ship passed, the inflatable boat left us behind -- and we continued on our way back to H & S Yachts’ dock. Welcome to boating in the modern world, post-September 11, 2001.
A Driver’s Boat
We ran the 58 from the inside helm, adjacent to the saloon. This is no add-on afterthought station: This is a well-designed command center, with big windows that offer a 270 degree view.
The helm console is set in a black background, to eliminate potential glare. Three red nightlight spots shine down on it from the overhead (most larger boats give you one of these lights -- if you’re lucky).
Our test boat was equipped with Volvo Penta EDC controls. There’s no worry about abruptly pushing too hard on the throttle and inadvertently jumping out of the water with these electronic controls: They accelerate at an optimum rate for the engines, even if you shove them all the way forward.
We had a full complement of electronics -- and we especially liked the helm’s standard 11 hp Sidepower bow thruster, which made docking a breeze. The tilt steering wheel is crafted of rich red mahogany, trimmed with leather -- and the hydraulic steering system is by Sea Star.
As a James Bond touch, a push of a button electrically opened a starboard side wood panel, revealing the boat’s Tankwatch system display and controls. After all, why look at them all the time?
The two helm seats are upholstered in buttery soft leather, and made exclusively for Fairline by Recaro. Push a button on the left side of a seat, and you can adjust its position in any direction or add lumbar support.
Adjacent to the seats is an all-weather door leading to the starboard sidedeck. A counter, aft, separates the helm area from the galley and saloon, several steps below. To port, a spacious settee and a large table make room for four adults to dine or relax with the skipper and enjoy the view under way.
The boat’s other helm station is on the expansive flybridge -- accessible either from the saloon or the cockpit via two sets of wide “floating” teak steps. This helm offers the best view of the water, with an impressive 360 degree vantage point.
While the flybridge offers a more-weatherproof triple-wide helm seat instead of electric Recaro leather seats, it comes with a full array of instrumentation and electronics -- and its own mahogany steering wheel.
The entire bridge deck is protected by a wrap-around forward windshield and similarly blue-tinted wrap-around glass panels aft.
A huge aft settee and adjacent electric high-low table makes an excellent spot for al fresco dining, positioned adjacent to a wet bar and barbecue grill area, under the boat’s sculptural-looking radar support. A sunpad area is forward of the helm -- and an even larger upholstered sunpad (with convenient grabrails around it) is provided in the middle of the 58’s long foredeck.
From the foredeck to the cockpit, wide sidedecks offer easy all-around access. Beefy, waist-high stainless steel rails protect the sidedecks and foredeck.
The cockpit and swim platform both have teak decks. A shower and a washdown system are provided aft.
Spy Secrets Inside
Two boarding gates lead from the swim platform to the cockpit, a step above. An aft settee in the cockpit is more than a comfortable place to sit: It conceals steps leading to a “secret cabin” that can be outfitted to serve as compact crew quarters (with an optional head and sink) or as a large lazarette.
A deck hatch opens to provide entry to the boat’s conveniently arranged engine room. There is ample space for maintenance -- and even more access is available through the saloon sole, should major repairs ever become necessary.
The cockpit also offers a set of Volvo Penta EDC remote controls, a compartment that conceals a fender rack (it’s so nicely done, it looks more like a wine cellar) and a set of manual emergency pumps. Teak steps on each side lead to the skid-resistant sidedecks, and a large curvilinear glass sliding door leads to the 58’s comfortable stateroom. The glass is tinted the same color of azure blue as the flybridge windows.
This large door opens up the saloon to the ocean environment, and makes the cockpit seem only a few steps away from the inside helm. The saloon -- like the rest of our test boat’s interior -- was elegantly appointed with cherry and eucalyptus wood joinery and trim, Berber wool carpeting and designer fabrics.
A large leather settee with seating for at least seven adults covers the port side of the saloon, adjacent to a coffee table and opposite cabinetry containing entertainment electronics and a U-Line ice-maker. Push a button, and you can electrically raise or lower the saloon’s big side windows.
Forward, to starboard, the boat’s U-shaped galley is compact and efficient, yet offers all the food preparation tools a seagoing chef demands. Our test boat’s galley had a Miele dishwasher, a Sharp convection/microwave oven, a sink, a glass-topped electric range, an under-counter refrigerator and plenty of Avonite-topped counterspace.
Open one of those cabinets, lift the countertop and another James Bond feature becomes apparent: a secret cabin that houses an onboard laundry. On our test boat, this cabin was equipped with a Splendide Combomatic washer/dryer, a drawer that concealed a fold-out ironing board, storage cabinetry and a freezer.
In a pinch, this laundry cabin could be used as an extra guest stateroom. If you also count the aft “crew quarters,” that gives this boat a total of five potential cabins.
A few steps down from the dinette and inside helm is a six-sided, cherry paneled passageway. To port, doors lead to an aft guest stateroom with a large double berth and a hanging locker; and to a large head compartment with a stall shower, a sink and a VacuFlush head.
To starboard, a door leads to another guest stateroom with a hanging locker and twin berths that can be joined to make a double. Because of its location directly under the galley equipment, the area between the twin berths contains a “hump” overhead -- however, there is plenty of headroom and the cabin is very comfortably appointed.
Forward, the master stateroom has its own large en suite head and shower, a pair of hanging lockers, abundant stowage cabinets and shelves, and a large walk-around king-size berth.
At the end of our test, we were sorry to see our adventure with this rakish, yet sophisticated action hero to come to an end. This is one boat that James Bond would call “delightfully O.T.T.” (over the top), in its style, luxury and overall fun factor.
CONTACT: Fairline Boats of North America, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925; (843) 342-3453; fax (843) 342-3483; www.fairline.com
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This article first appeared in the March 2002 issue of Sea Magazine. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
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