Fairline Squadron 55 - Model Overview
This Squadron created quite a stir when she was first launched. The reaction to so much power, luxury and spaciousness accommodated by a 55 ft craft verged on the incredulous. This, combined with her beautifully proportioned curves and sophistication, makes her one of the most sought-after of the Squadrons, with over one hundred sold to date.
Staying true to the Squadron concept, she embodies all the refinements imaginable to satisfy her purpose as a vehicle for pleasure and relaxation. Eminently sociable, the new flybridge layout is invariably the heart of the party. A C-shaped upholstered settee, to aft, arches around the table unit. Conveniently located behind the helm seat is the barbecue griddle, fridge and sink with hot/cold water, ensuring the temptation for a spontaneous soiree is never far away.
For user-friendly, long-distance cruising in the lap of luxury, the Squadron 55 offers the perfect antidote to the stresses of everyday life.
Providing the perfect vantage point to observe the world unfurling is the centrally-positioned helm and twin co-pilot's seats. Convenient saloon access is gained courtesy of an adjacent glazed hatch.
The fact that this craft encompasses so many virtues borders on the audacious. For Fairline to deliver this much luxury, performance and panache while still providing three sleeping cabins with such comfort is no mean feat.
Attached to the galley is the utility room with washer/drier, freezer, ironing board and also primary access to the engine room, making routine maintenance more straightforward. Even helming the boat has been made easier by virtue of the door portside to deck, between saloon and dinette.
The classic Squadron hallmarks are all present. Fairline's superb craftsmanship is literally reflected in the lacquered wood bulkheads, painstakingly polished to glorious effect. Attention to detail is displayed in the meticulously hand-laid wood inlays where the bulkhead is butted, instead of the usual black silicon, de rigeur in lesser boats. There is a simply enormous semicircular settee with stowage beneath, around a cocktail table, complemented by a lacquered wood sideboard, complete with bar unit.
Laid out in the classic Fairline style, the large master double bedroom is lavishly furnished, including upholstered headboard and twin wardrobes with interior lights. Fine lacquered wood abounds, from the bed surround to the timber inlays on the ceiling panels. Naturally, the master would not be complete without en suite facilities, with a separate circular shower compartment.
On all Fairline boats, joinery is of a concealed construction with hidden fixings to keep all highly polished surfaces uniform and flawless. All cabinet knobs are push-flush and the door locks anti-rattle.
Forward, the dinette, with U-shaped seating and table, offers a superb view from its position adjacent to the main helm. Behind the helm, the splendidly designed, timber-floored galley contains ample storage in the grain-matched, wooden cupboards and drawers, facilitated by its spatially efficient layout. Stainless steel grabrails run the length of the high quality work surface to steady the chef at sea.
Fairline Squadron 55 - Range Overview
In the Squadron models, Fairline build integrity achieves its highest expression. The design goal for each of the four Squadron models was, quite simply, to be the best in its class; consequently, the use of the term ‘luxury’ in the context of these motor yachts verges on understatement. Here, the demanding owner will find levels of equipment, detailing, and fit and finish not available elsewhere.
Lacquered, hand polished fine woods and inlays, the finest hand-selected furnishings and fabrics, and generous living spaces combine to create and exquisite ambience in which to relax, explore and entertain.
Fairline Squadron 55 - Brochure Foreword
The Fairline marque was born of one man's passion and vision, his labour of love combining the utmost professionalism with an intuitive understanding of a boater's needs. From the beginning, Fairline's designers and craftsmen, dealers and directors, have shared their fellow mariners' commitment to the very highest standards of handcrafted excellence.
Boating came late to Jack Newington. An entrepreneur approaching retirement age, he acquired a converted lifeboat to pursue his hobby of river cruising and, lacking a local mooring, took the bold step of creating one himself. In 1963 he bought a cluster of disused gravel pits close to the River Nene and transformed them into Oundle Marina, an inland marina with a tiny chandlery, a small hire fleet, a boat repair and fit-out shop and a simple canopy to shelter the few boats available for sale.
Even in his `hobby business' Jack Newington's passion for integrity and attention to detail shone through. So skilled at fit-outs and redesign were his small yet dedicated team that customers began to request a complete build. And so in 1967 the first ever Fairline was launched, a 19' river cruiser embodying the hand-crafted quality, functionality and innovation now a constant of the marque. The Deluxe and her twin sister, Weekender, exploited the early GRP technology, putting the young company in the forefront of the moulding revolution. Over 30 years later, nearly half the men who crafted the Deluxe remain with Fairline, among them Grant Walker, now factory manager at the company's Oundle site.
Director of Lewmar Marine Ltd, one of the world's leading marine equipment suppliers.
As the first boat manufacturer to successfully make the transition away from a founder's entrepreneurial culture, the following four years proved particularly exciting for Fairline.
Although immediately impressed by the passion and pride of the workforce, Derek in his capacity as Managing Director and Chairman instigated a new management structure, delegating greater responsibility to effect quicker, streamlined decision-making. Being a younger breed of businessman, he saw the opportunity to modernise manufacturing processes and management. He also gave the young design team a new found freedom by encouraging them to take the initiative in an area traditionally led by Sam Newington.
This professional approach has resulted in a tighter, more efficient operation with a shared understanding, providing focus and a positive direction. Naturally, an increase in profitability followed, thereby securing the future of Fairline. This also created the platform on which to realise the vision.
Now, with the entire team behind Derek, the world was indeed Fairline's oyster. By 1998, in support of Fairline's export markets, a network of some 35 overseas dealers represented the company worldwide. His focus on strong dealerships has afforded a more cohesive structure to maintain the high standards of service set by Fairline representatives in the UK and throughout Europe.
The same year Fairline established a US subsidiary company and American sales office, Fairline Boats of North America, to provide a higher standard of customer service.
New dealers were appointed, and orders, exceeding all expectations, continue robustly to this day. Although an extremely busy man, Derek still takes the time to meet every customer that visits Fairline, whenever possible.
Fairline's craftsmanship is an expression of the personal pride we take in our work, the result of which is an enduring quality. A diversity of skills and disciplines are required to build boats of such a calibre. These include electricians, plumbers, moulders, carpenters, cabinet makers, engineers, fitters and upholsterers. As with our boats, more than skin deep reflects the inner strength of our people, who as a team work with an immovable commitment to further our reputation.
From the moulding of the hull right through to the polishing and lacquering of the fine wood, pride in our work is built deep into our boats. This is mirrored in the multi-lacquered and polished surfaces of exotic woods, particularly in the sheen of American cherry. Up to eight coats of lacquer are individually sprayed on in a dust-proof environment, left to dry, painstakingly sanded back and then finished by polishing with water and a fine cloth.
Our new lacquer system, as well as being UN. stable, is designed to withstand extreme changes in temperature, so the lacquer we use possesses an extraordinary coefficient of expansion.
Rather than standardising across the range, components are designed for their specific application. To manage this diversity, sophisticated machinery is employed to rout 470 different timber sections, which are individually machined on up to seven faces in one pass. They are then numbered for their task and stored in a cool, stable atmosphere. This area, affectionately known as `the morgue', slows down the drying out process to prevent any cracking or splitting.
The strength of a boat, as in all structures, lies in its foundation - the hull. At Fairline, GRP (glass reinforced plastic) is hand-laid with a succession of unidirectional and woven rovings to create an extremely light, extremely strong hull. Gel is brushed on by hand to ensure density, rather than relying on automated robot arms or spray-guns. Even though it takes up to 3-4 times longer to apply, the result is infinitely stronger. Almost 100 components are then integrally bonded to the hull, systematically adding strength. In addition, the superstructure, which is also bolted every nine inches to the hull for extra strength, creates a virtual monocoque. This enables the structure to withstand considerable force and provides an extraordinary torsional rigidity, crucial for handling and stability. Flow-coated inner hulls optimise stowage space without fear of abrasions from exposed raw fibreglass and are also easier to clean.
As with many of the split-moulded components, the radar mast, which appears seamless, exemplifies Fairline's attention to detail. Moulded in two halves, it is then bonded, beaded and finally rubbed back and finished by hand. The same attention to detail applies to nut, bolt and screw heads. Where appropriate, they are sunk, filled and polished out to train the eye on the real beauty. Some might consider this obsessive, but bolt or screw heads are rarely regarded as a thing of beauty.
The practicality of Fairline boats is apparent, right down to the tiniest, yet important details; from the red night lights at lower helm, self-parking wipers and fixed crockery stowage, to the push-flush, anti-rattle door locks fitted throughout.
All aspects of social interaction have been well thought out, and the layout designed accordingly. Ingenious and effective use of space affords a roomy ambience enhanced by the curvilinear design, and allows for a greater amount of stowage. Because Fairline believe boats are for using, water and fuel tank capacities are maximised whilst maintaining the optimal weight configuration for perfect balance and handling. Another factor well accounted for is regular maintenance. Engines are first sat on their rubber mountings in a cradle and left to absorb their weight before installation. This 'settling-in' eliminates the majority of movement and the need for realignment once the engines are fitted, which in turn means less inconvenience for the owners down the line. Easy engine bay access is a prime concern for boat owners and consequently is incorporated into the design criteria on all Fairline boats.
We believe that every component should be designed to suit its particular task. That is why each of our hulls is dedicated to its superstructure. To use the same hull for both sports and flybridge boats might well save millions on tooling costs, but would simultaneously undermine the integrity of design.
Benefiting from a wealth of experience, we understand a boat is only as strong as the sum of her parts. By reinforcing outer beauty with inner strength we build boats with integrity.
In light of our immutable commitment to excellence, Fairline was the first British boat manufacturer to receive a BS5750/IS09001 quality accreditation. Further endorsement of our more than skin deep reputation - also acknowledged by the true connoisseur.
Network of Integrity
Fairline's forte lies in designing and building boats, but for our customers it is essential that their boats are looked after locally, so we have established a cohesive and reliable international dealership network. We do not own our dealerships, as that would divert our focus from what we do best. Nor do we sell directly to boat owners, which would undermine the strength of our dealerships, and in turn the `Fairline experience'.
Our dealers are selected as representatives of Fairline, having built solid reputations of their own. Together we ensure consistent standards across the entire network.
More than just service professionals, Fairline dealers are there to enhance every aspect of boating by offering the benefit of their experience and intimate knowledge. Our dealers' expertise helps to maximise the enjoyment our customers gain from their boats, providing the same high level of service and after sales care to both novice and experienced boaters alike. The commitment and integrity with which they approach their responsibilities continues to reinforce our reputation as a company that strives to be more than skin deep.
As a profitable and financially sound company Fairline is maintained by steady investment and funded by earnings not borrowings. This providence is a virtue shared by our dealers as well as many astute Fairline owners who, successful in their own right, recognise and appreciate the stable residual values we have achieved. Fairline always have, and will continue to, design and build modern classics, creating boats that retain their relevance and style many years after their maiden voyage. The enduring quality and integrity of these hand-crafted boats is reflected in a very buoyant brokerage market, making it easier for our owners to trade up. Fairline think long-term, which demands foresight and calls for solid relationships, from suppliers through to dealers and customers. We believe long-term relationships with mutual benefits provide long-term satisfaction for all concerned.
Furthering our hard-earned reputation for being more than skin deep, behind our dealerships lies the depth of integrity essential for any ambassador of Fairline.