BRAND NEW FAIRLINE SQUADRON 50 MOTOR YACHT ARRIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA

At last - the fabulous Fairline Squadron 50 has arrived in Cape Town and she’s the subject of much talk and admiration among those who have seen her elegantly resting at her permanent moorings at the Cape Grace.

It was love at first sight for Boating World sales consultant Greg - who first met this spectacular London-manufactured beauty while she was still on board the ship waiting to disembark. Resisting the urge to take potent twin 675 Volvo Penta powerhouses to their limit he carefully drove her from Duncan Dock to Granger Bay for her pre-delivery inspection - before the exciting “handover” to the new owner a couple of days later.

Since her arrival, many a big boat enthusiast has been spotted taking a quick turn into her peaceful home waters for a closer look at this stunning head-turner - which is ideally suited to our climate and coastal conditions.

Derrick Levy couldn’t be more delighted. “She’s everything and more than I remembered from my first sighting of these magnificent craft at boat shows overseas last year.”

Her commanding presence certainly invites closer inspection- especially as one has to remind oneself that she is only a 50.

Climb up to the flybridge and look down - you could be forgiven for thinking you’re on top of a small building – even her siblings in the Squadron range are much lower on the water.

Of course this large external superstructure means equally impressive internal space. The bow area is much wider and interestingly the beautifully appointed master cabin is accommodated here. This cabin space is tall – really tall – with headroom of at least 6’6” – and light pouring in from skylights makes it seem even bigger.

You don’t even have to avoid obstacles en-route to the superb en-suite bathroom – the flat floor space is covered with plush carpeting - gorgeously soft underfoot. And there are three other comfortable cabins - also beautifully kitted out.

Twelve to sixteen people can easily enjoy a day together inside this cruiser – regardless of the weather and you’ll never feel claustrophobic - as light floods in through panoramic windows and full length glass doors leading from the saloon to the cockpit (which also has comfortable seating and loads of deck space).

Guests have a great view of the action going on behind from the comfortable rear bench seat in the cockpit adjoining the transom platform - which has a really clever arm rest. This folds back to double as a transom door to shut off the cockpit so small kids are safe here too.

 Naturally every mod con is right at hand in the neat and very well-equipped galley where the chef has loads of counter space and storage in big drawers underneath. Compartments under the window hide cups and other loose items under a hinged lid.

A Williams tender jet boat of around nine feet is stored on the rear bathing platform which hydraulically lifts up and over to the water.

As the Tender Launch mechanism (which is designed to accommodate different hulls) lowers to a couple of feet underwater and stays below, the tender is kept completely stable and can safely come on or off the submerged portion of platform in any direction. When you’re ready to board again it folds back up to the platform.  If there is no tender on the boat the adjustable chocks of the mechanism fold away underfloor leaving a clean bathing platform.

A short trip up the stairs to the flybridge and you find a whole new world of superb views, comfortable seating, sunbeds, a wetbar and the second helm area – so the pilot and his mate can also join in the fun.

There’s just so much space up here. At around 4.47m wide a person can stretch out full length on the aft seat and still have room to spare. The flybridge is simply huge – usually found on a 60 footer or more - with masses of seating for lounging on, sunbathing. And if it gets too hot there’s a large collapsible canopy for protection from the sun. As for the uninterrupted views ....there aren’t enough words - not to mention the wind blowing the cobwebs away, leaving one feeling fabulously free!

One can just picture the Fairline Squadron cruising our coastline with a backdrop of glorious sunsets or running free on vast open waters, easily cutting through huge swells leaving only a small trail in her wake of ever having been there.

There are so many more exciting features not yet revealed - so contact Boating World for more information.