Fairline Phantom 38

There's nothing like driving a cruiser from the bridge. For one, the view is unobstructed so you get to see all corners of the hull, or at least the transom, when close-quarters manoeuvring. This way you can dodge those malicious pylons and pontoons that leap out at you.

The next best thing about driving a flybridge cruiser is that, well, the view is unobstructed. This means you can saunter up the coast and see the lobster-pot and fish-trap floats, the marine life and other boats in your path, well before they embrace your props or disappear under your bow.

Thus, the flybridge cruiser is a boat much sought-after by seasoned skippers. Recognising as much, most American and European marine marques build a flybridge boat or two. While the sports and express cruisers are the sizzle, the flybridge cruiser is the steak.

One such brand is the UK-based Fairline. Supplier to the top end of town, the company makes a lot of express cruisers and magnificent motoryachts. Its flybridge cruisers aren't quite so well known, especially in Australia.

Smaller than the company's motoryachts but as zippy as its sportsboats, the Phantom 38 champions the virtues of driving up top. It's a traditional flybridge cruiser with an up-market layout that has had the magic styling wand waved over it.

One supposes then, that this is exactly the kind of boat cruisy locals might find themselves driving. While the finish costs a premium, in these enlightened times more and more people are prepared to pay for such luxuries. With the Phantom, you get what you pay for.

CONSULAR FINISH
A pretty boat to look at in its pen, the Phantom looked like a nautical sportscar. It was hard to walk past without casting at least a cursory glance at the flowing Euro lines and dashing navy hull. Underway, these swept-back lines impart a sense of sportiness to the boat.

But it's not until you walk inside - shoes off, of course - that you can take the Phantom for what it really is... Luxurious.

In real estate terms, the boat has what might be called a consular finish. A consular finish in a house costs in the order of $4000 a square metre. Plenty of people are willing to pay for the privilege. So too, it seems, with boats.

Indeed, the bar has been raised by classy imported cruisers of this ilk. And that has raised the expectations of cruiser buyers. The finish on the Phantom 38 is something one could live with and be proud of. It is smart enough to invite VIPs aboard... Anyone lucky enough to get an invite.

Contemporary, clean and classy, the boat's ambience comes from a blend of timbers and modern coverings. Cherry is used for most vertical surfaces and eucalyptus (yes, you read it right) for the table tops and verticals. Natural berber carpet pampers the sole and soul.

The lounges were covered with an understated plush blue-and-gold fabric, topped with gold scatter cushions, and surrounded by navy-grey venetian blinds and curtains. The headliner was a mix of moulded white glass panels and soft-touch white vinyl. Airconditioning in the saloon and cabins adds to the opulence.

The big, two-stage opening saloon door was fitted with the cheaper but no-less-impressive powder-coated aluminium package. Stainless door frames and deck fittings are an option, yet I liked the contemporary powder-coated look. In any case, the details like the door handles and light switches are designer models.

SEA CHANGE
The Phantom's saloon is like a sunroom. Light pours in through the forward, side and aft windows. Immediately to port is a handy entertainment centre with cherrywood facia. It includes a 34cm colour television, bottle storage and glass storage racks. The CD stacker is under the helm seat.

Alongside the entertainment centre is a two-person lounge, while opposite is a five-person lounge/sofa bed set around a removable table which sits on a stylish stainless-steel post.

Underfloor, a hatch lifts up for engine maintenance (there is also a cockpit hatch for day-to-day water and oil checks).

I kicked back and felt reluctant to leave these comforts behind. In the case of adverse weather, there is a lower helmstation. If boating in cold, oppressively hot or wet climates, the internal helm has some merit. Especially with the aircon (reverse-cycle, of course) running.

Skipper and mate sit on a two-person bench seat behind a moulded dash with a walnut brow and matt-black or grey dash panels. The throttles are recessed alongside.

I noted controls for a bow thruster (yippee!) Shipmate autopilot, plus a big switch panel.

There was an underfloor storage hold nearby. The wraparound windscreen offered a clear view of the road ahead, but not quite as clear as the flybridge.

The saloon flows through to a galley set in the traditional location. That is, roughly amidships and to port.

Stylish Avonite benchtops in a salt and white-pepper pattern create the L-shaped galley. Amenities include a Sharp convection microwave/oven/grill, twin circular sinks with spray nozzle mixer tap, AEG two-burner hotplate, fridge/freezer with timber facia, three drawers and overhead and underfloor storage recesses.

I couldn't find an extractor fan, but the saloon window above the galley opens. Overall, the open-plan, up-market layout - bordering on minimalist - works well.

Fiddle rails, rounded facias and curvaceous partitions should help prevent bruising when at sea.

BEDS AND HEADS
With the sofa bed in the saloon afforded due privacy by surrounding curtains, you can sleep up to six people on the Phantom 38. A family of four will live on the boat for weekends at a time with greater comfort, however.

A couple looking for a sea change will find it perfect.

There are two cabins and two heads. The guest's cabin to starboard is done out in the traditional Euro-style. It has two single beds, each with blue-and-white patterned spreads, with a nova-suede bedhead and soft-touch vinyl walls.

There is a modicum of headroom near the companionway, certainly enough to dress in the mornings before a full-length mirror, plus a central storage locker, a big hanging locker and two opening portholes. The beds have inner-spring mattresses, thereby assuring a good night's sleep.

An ensuite leads off the guest's cabin. It has a beautiful finish, with moulded walls, a blue Avonite washbasin, electric Jabsco loo, opening porthole, extractor fan, mirror and stylish fittings including a glass holder.

However, the only shower is in the dayhead, which doubles as the owner's ensuite. Captain and crew get to share a big shower stall with a sliding door. The finish is identical to that in the first head, with blue Avonite benchtops and classy fittings including washbasins and taps with those built-in chrome plugs which are so popular in Europe.

Last but not least, the owner's cabin. It's easily discernible by its big island double bed flanked with a mock-leather covered bedhead and surrounding soft-touch walls. Royal blue curtains, cherrywood joinery, a big oval hatch and lots of headroom create a sense of uncluttered classiness.

There are his-and-her hanging lockers and plenty of storage for personals.

DECKS TO DANCE BY
True: there are 38-footers with bigger cockpits than the Phantom... But few I have come across are quite as complete. The mouldings and top deck have been designed from the ground up, as evidenced by the curves, thoughtful ergonomics and out-of-the-way amenities.

Shaded partially by the bridge overhang, four to six people have room to kick back in the teak-lined cockpit. Seating comes via a rear lounge with storage space inside.

There are iceboxes either side of the lounge, a deck shower, lazarette with room for a tender under the floor, optional pasarelle (it doubles as a davit), big boarding platform and lots of designer deck hardware.

Three moulded steps lead to the sidedecks. The passage forward is backed by handrails and a high but stylish bowrail. The foredeck has facilities for a sunpad and is equipped with a four-glass drinkholder.

It's easy moving forward on this boat.

The bridge is accessed via a moulded staircase in the cockpit with wide steps. It works better than any ladder.

Thus, we have turned full circle and are now in the bridge with its big view of the ocean and a useful vista over the transom back aft.

A big moulded deck, the bridge has a centre console flanked by trendy co-pilot or observer seats. This way, crew get to enjoy the drive as much as the captain.

There is also a big circular rear lounge set around a lunch table. It soon converts to a massive sunlounge.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE
I skipped around the deck, threw the ropes, and dashed up top as we left the marina.

The wind was howling and it might have been a nail-biter but for the bow thruster. The twin 370hp Volvo diesel motors started cleanly, while the four-bladed props on shaft showed plenty of bite to assert authority about the marina.

Suffice it to say, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the wheel. Every Fairline I have driven seems to display similar traits: faultless in the performance department.

So it was with the Phantom 38. The Oelinksi hull rises nice and level, tosses the spray wide, and is exceptionally nimble.

At 1500rpm, the turbos kick in and the boat shifts to cruising mode.

At 2200-2400rpm I attained mid-20kt. This is fast enough to reel in the sea miles without running the bowsers dry.

Top speed at 2600rpm was a benchmark 30-32kt.

The Phantom 38 will appeal to well-heeled city slickers looking for a luxury cruiser. It will also appeal to serious cruising types seeking seaworthiness and sufficient range to head up the coast or even interstate.

No matter where you go, the boat's flybridge is the box seat. You get a commanding view of the ocean, fresh air in the face, and a feeling you are really boating.

It's the smallest flybridge cruiser in Fairline's range. Expect to see more Phantom 38s on marinas near you.

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