FAIRLINE SQUADRON 58
LOA: 58ft 4in (17.80m) BEAM: 16ft 4in (4.99m) ENGINES: Twin Volvo Penta D13-900-1000s TOP SPEED: 34 knots PRICE: from £1,798,800 inc VAT CONTACT: www.fairline.com
One of the few major world debuts taking place at this year’s Southampton show, the O all-new Fairline Squadron 58 is big news. The old Squadron 58 (2001-2009) is still fondly remembered as one of Fairline’s all-time greats and the new one looks every bit as promising.
Fairline is describing it as ‘a Squadron like no other’ and yet there’s no mistaking the DNA. The exterior has a similar profile to the existing Squadron 50 and 68 models and it uses the same distinctive trio of aft superstructure fins that have been a trademark of the Squadron line since 1991. Elements of the inside look quite familiar too, like the aft galley design and the layout of the lower deck with a full-beam master cabin amidships, a starboard twin and a forward VIP. However, the closer you get, the more modern this boat looks.
For instance, in the saloon, the threshold between the lower galley and the upper lounge is subtly angled as are the patio doors separating it from the cockpit. Even the flybridge furniture and bulkheads in the owner’s cabin use playful angles to add interest and free up space where it’s needed most. There’s a lot of modernity in the external areas too – not least in the cockpit, which uses modular seating, so you can face forward toward the saloon or aft, through the elegant glass balustrade.
There’s also a new beach club design, with a sliding submersible bathing platform, plus twin drop-down balconies. These enable you to double the deck space at the push of a button – and the fact that the aft bar connects the galley both to the cockpit and to the port terrace makes this region all the more enjoyable.
Up top, rather than dividing the flybridge into distinct zones, the Squadron 58 uses the starboard side for the steps, the wet bar and the twin helm. That frees up the entire port side for an integrated seating and sunbathing unit that extends all the way from the forward screen deflector right aft to another glass balustrade that angles out from the deck to increase the sense of openness.
Seakeeping should be first-class and it should be pacey too. The standard Volvo Penta D13-900s should give 32 knots while the
