Spotlight: Fairway 37

First released in 1982, the Fairway 36 has been given a new lease on life since Fairway Marine, started by Wally Schuba in Southport in 1982, was sold to United Motor Yachts at Hope Island.

United Motor Yachts is headed by marine-industry stalwarts Stewart Smith and David Wright with Marc Hall as a partner. They’ve improved the much-loved Fairway 36 with a new iteration built in Asia, to the highest standards.

The resulting Fairline 37 will debut at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show later this month.

But for an extra 300mm in the running surface, the time-proven round-bilge semi-displacement hull remains largely unchanged.

However, the exciting new Fairway 37 -- the first one in Sedan guise -- has a whole new deck and superstructure, leading to modernised lines that look both sweet and timeless.

The walk-around side decks will assist going forward, while an improved cockpit and a whole new internal layout and saloon lead to more comfortable cruising.

In this sense, the new Fairway 37 offers the something old, something new and, well, the best of both worlds.

We tested the 100th Fairway 36 back in 2002, but it goes back much further. The round-bilge hull was taken off line drawings from a boat sitting up on heritage-listed Humphrey’s Boat Shed and Slipway near Sea World at Southport, we’re told.

Wally told us the original boat looked pretty much like an old Halvorsen, but believes it was a (Edited May 7, see reader reply below) Millkraft. When Wally started out with Fairway he changed the timber superstructure to fibreglass and gave the boat a flying bridge.

That was in 1982. His same yard in Southport just launched the last Fairway 36, boat number 131, with a single Yanmar 240hp. This engine is also fitted to the new 37, but its lengthened hull should improve performance.

United Motor Yachts says the Fairway 'eco-cruise hull' offers around 16 knots with standard 240hp engine and will cruise at up to 14 knots. At displacement speeds of 8-9 knots the boat will average around 1-1.2 litres per nautical mile, which gives a quite remarkable range of more than 500 nautical miles.

Even at 12 to 14 knots fuel usage is only around 20 to 30 litres per hour, which will give a range of more than 300 nautical miles. Little wonder the boat has been such a big hit for (Moreton) bay, harbour, big river and coastal cruising!

"We used to have the old 240 Perks, then Cummins, we put up to 375hp Fiats in one and 300hp Cummins were popular," Wally recalls. "Along with that, cosmetics have been the biggest change… we took out the tumblehome so we could make a one-piece hull mould. We modernised the boat while still keeping it traditional," he added.

The owners are treated to a forward stateroom with island bed and plenty of storage space. The guest cabin has two large single bunks or can be fitted with a convertible double and single. Out in the saloon, the helm is to port with a long galley opposite with electric hotplate, fridge/freezer, microwave oven and plenty of storage.

The 37 also contains an L-shaped shape settee with dinning table, while the rear cabin doors now open up right across the boat so that the saloon flows out to the cockpit for a huge living and lounging area. The cockpit has inbuilt seating and removable tables for entertaining or dining.

The hardtop almost completely covers the cockpit and has side covers so that it can be used in all weather. And the new walk-around decks are a boon for owners, kids and dogs going forward to assist with mooring or anchoring duties. Or just hanging out.

United Motor Yachts also has plans for a new Fairway 42 in flybridge and sedan guises. Further information, contact United Motor Yachts at its new offices at Hope Island Marina. More at www.unitedmotoryachts.com.au.