Fairline Squadron 50

Volvo technicians had yet to sign off the twin Penta D11-670 engines so we were treating them with kid gloves as we turned the nose into the predicted 15 to 20 knot breeze. We would be back at the refueling jetty in the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour by the time it got to 30 knots later in the day.

Handling the S50 is remarkably simple. There’s a lot of power at your finger tips and being a spanking new rig, we were close to the 19,100kg dry weight having just enough fuel and fresh water on board for this first voyage into Gage Roads off Fremantle. 

Fuel capacity is nearly 2300 litres, allowing for a good range to West Australian destinations such as the Abrolhos Islands to the north and Geographe Bay in the south. A new boat harbour now under construction at Augusta at Cape Leeuwin adds another easy port of call when completed early next year.  

While you know you’re in charge of nearly 16 metres of on-water luxury, the steering is unbelievably smooth and very responsive. Fairline WA dealer principal Evan Moore takes note of our rev range and speed, starting at 800rpm and climbing steadily to 1700tpm. Wide Open Throttle on the S50 is 2200rpm with a design top speed of 30 knots, but we were going to leave that sort of speed and performance to the commissioning engineers from Volvo. This is the first time the bow has hit open waters so it’s a case of gently Bentley.

Vision from up at the flybridge helm five and a half metres above the waterline is largely unrestricted, the only blind spot being the starboard aft quarter. The port marlin board and any activity is clearly visible through the staircase hatch to the upper deck.

Before handing the wheel over to me, Evan conducted a series of manoeuvres requested by Fairline’s engineers back at head office. Hard-lock turns to the right and left to check the number of revolutions on the steering wheel at varying speeds. Two and a half turns lock to lock as per manufacturer’s specifications on the nose and we do this several times at varying speeds. All checked out correctly and the details will be reported back to Fairline in the UK.

Those familiar with the West Coast will know that Rottnest Island is our local holiday island playground and its pristine bays and coves are chockers at this time of year, with moorings and pens fully booked as people get away from the Perth metropolitan area. The island is a Mecca for day-trippers or those who just want to spend up to a month relaxing on their vessels, picking up the daily newspaper from the enterprising young newspaper boy as he gets around the moorings in his inflatable tender or heading ashore to the local general store for extra supplies and fresh bread from the bakery.

The Squadron 50 is a size well suited to the Rotto stay as there are more moorings and pens that can accommodate vessels of the size. The island is surrounded by dangerous reefs and, while the many channels are marked, a 50 footer is a bit more manageable than something four to six metres larger.

Almost another $20,000 was paid for the power saloon/galley side windows. A major initial outlay but great when the cool sea breeze kicks in. The flick of a switch lowers one or both lower side windows, creating a cross-flow of fresh air though the galley and saloon interior.

Other main expenditures were just over $20,000 for the Garmin GPS navigation electronics and autopilot, $13,000 for the teak decking on the flybridge and another $12,000 for the walnut satin interior instead of the standard oak finish.

Then there was extra freezer and refrigeration units, icemaking machines -- all very necessary for Australian cruising -- bigger black-water holding tank, extra fresh-water storage, underwater lighting, and so on, taking the total options tp just over $204,000. Money well spent for worry and hassle-free cruising, either for a weekend or as long as you like.

There are plenty of hatches for fenders and rope storage and the external teak staircase on the port side heads to the flybridge.

Up front, the foredeck has the usual twin single sun beds, split in the middle by a massive section of glass…more on that later. 

Where the cockpit might be considered a little small, the flybridge makes up for it. This teak-decked area has room to party. There’s settee seating for at least a dozen people around a folding teak table.

The flybridge helm is located on the port side with a double sunbed adjacent and, of course, lots of storage underneath. Half a dozen kids could spread out here protected by the solid toughened-glass and stainless-steel safety panels. 

Garmin instrumentation is doubled up here. The decision to locate the helm on the port side is to give the skipper the visiohn through the flybridge hatch. Taking the wheel up here, some 5.5 metres above the waterline makes for a great vantage point.

Behind the helm seating is the wet bar, complete with sink, fridge and icemaker.

Immediately to port is the galley with heaps of bench space, electric ceramic/halogen hob, microwave oven, twin-drawer refrigeration, cupboards and drawers for storage and twin sinks.  

Forward of the galley is a large settee and an ‘L’ shaped sofa to starboard with folding dining table with hi/lo adjustment.

Upholstery choice is yours, of course, but this first vessel in Australian waters features striking artic white leather and off-white carpet, creating a contrast against the satin-finish walnut trim.

In front of the starboard seating arrangement is the main helm station with three-seater lounge. Along with full engine instrumentation sat a Garmin GMI 10 digital multi-function navigation unit.

The power window system extends to the helm on the starboard side so the skipper can have extra ventilation plus non-restricted vision when coming alongside.

There’s a pop-up flat screen television recessed into the port-side wall facing the curved lounge and folding dinette.

Heading below, the master stateroom is forward of the lobby or companionway, which features extra refrigeration, washing machine plus access to the electrical control panel.            

The full-beam cabin has a cantilevered bed with storage drawers, large feature windows with opening portholes plus a massive skylight in the roof. This runs bow-stern between the sunbeds on the foredeck mentioned earlier. The skylight fills the cabin with natural light and is fitted with a blind to darken the room for that afternoon nap. The master en suite features a single opening porthole and comes with full-size shower with seat, and mirrored lockers.

The second bathroom/day head and access to the two guest cabins also lead off the companionway. Both the port and starboard guest cabins offer twin single berths and feature windows filling each with plenty of natural light, plus a single opening porthole. The beds in the starboard cabin slide together to form a double and there’s plenty of wardrobe and locker storage.

Gear selection is effortless and the power steering was magnificent. 

With the Volvo Penta engineers still to do their thing, we gently added power enough to get the feel of the vessel: 800rpm returned 7.8 knots, 1000rpm 9.3 knots, 1300 revs gave 11.3 knots and at 1700rpm we achieved 19 knots.

Fairline’s official data has the S50 recording a top speed of 30 knots at 2200rpm with the twin Volvo Penta D11s fitted.

Standard power for the Squadron 50 is twin Volvo D9s with 575hp which, at WOT, will produce 28 knots. Another option is for the top-of-the-range Caterpillar C12s at 710hp which, we're told, will produce a top of 31 knots.

All too soon it was time to head home. The sou’westerly was now blowing at a good 20 knots and a bit of spray came over the bow as we turned east and towards the Fremantle heads. The waves were about 1.5m but the Fairline S50 loved it. It was a pity our time on board this beauty was running out as clearly this boat is built with long-distance cruising in mind.

The extra refrigeration is most welcome, the galley is in the middle of all the action (that is, back aft) on the saloon deck and no-one is left out in the cold. Even the skipper is included whether he or she be on the flybridge or the main helm. There’s dedicated sleeping for six people and any overflow can soon settle down on the luxury settees.

The Fairline Squadron 50 offers impressive performance and handling. It's a big-capacity vessel in a convenient and popular size which can be easily handled by a couple who can set off for a weekend or longer, exploring those popular holiday coves and pristine bays that dot our coastlines.