Boat in build pics (Squadron 78)

[petem]

Always amuses me how the washing machine goes in slightly after the engines. Will there be space to swap it if it doesn't work?

Like the colour scheme too, we have cremes, purples, limes, etc at home.

 

[MYAG]

Below are the stabs shafts seen from outside

[/QUOTE]

Very nice update. The stab fin actuator looks like it has a very low profile in its bolted position, very neat installation. Looking at the stab shaft length, I imagine the locking nut is recessed into the fin some way? Would be interested to know the size (sqm) of the fins specified?

 

[MapisM]

Looking at the stab shaft length, I imagine the locking nut is recessed into the fin some way? Would be interested to know the size (sqm) of the fins specified?

Yup, recessed and hidden under a curved cover, which follows the fin shape. And the fins are 1 sqm.

 

[petem]

Continuing above post. Last few pics. Below is lower dash. The starboard screen is the new Garmin 15inch – pretty big thing!
And here is reverse of lower dash

A very neat job, looks like a lot of care has gone into it. I reckon this is really critical to prevent those nasty boat fires (or "Thermal Incidents" as Ferrari describe them) that other manufacturers seem to suffer from.

Pete

 

[Richard Shead]

Its just a cunning plan...

With all this picture evidence and Fairline aware of the post it HAS to be the best Fairline ever built....

And I am not for one minute suggesting they are not normally!

 

[Firefly625]

With all this picture evidence and Fairline aware of the post it HAS to be the best Fairline ever built....

And I am not for one minute suggesting they are not normally!

indeed if I were Fairline, I would be very keen to get this particular boat right first time... will it be a better quality than others produced...? maybe, maybe not. Will there be slightly more attention to detail made, certainly.

 

[SteveE]

With all this picture evidence and Fairline aware of the post it HAS to be the best Fairline ever built....

And I am not for one minute suggesting they are not normally!

Not that he has gone public (yet) but reading between the lines Magnums Seeker has issues, and that got a lot of forum publicity, I spoke to the sales guy at Sunseeker when they were building it, and they were aware of his posts.....

 

[Hurricane]

indeed if I were Fairline, I would be very keen to get this particular boat right first time... will it be a better quality than others produced...? maybe, maybe not. Will there be slightly more attention to detail made, certainly.

Actually, I think your comment goes deeper.
It is as much Fairline showing a trust in the new owner as their own confidence to build a good boat.
They know jfm well and know that he will "work with them" to produce a satisfactory conclusion.
There are a lot of owners out there that simply say "fix it" to the builder and then simple problems just escalate.
Knowing that the owner will get involved with problems helps no end IMO.
I know its a lot of money but the partnership between the buyer and the builder is paramount in producing a good reliable boat.
Boats of this complexity ALWAYS have something go wrong - its the ability to fix it that matters and the owner/builder relationship is the most important factor. IMHO

 

[benjenbav]

It is as much Fairline showing a trust in the new owner as their own confidence to build a good boat.

I think the fact that F/L offer this degree of customisation and access to the build process is a brilliant sign of their self-confidence and their pride in the product.

It reminds me of the BMW Mini factory in Cowley (Oxford). For years it was a depressing, almost soviet-style, closed operation under British Leyland and its successors. When BMW took it over and decided to base mini production there, they took several remarkable decisions designed to show that they had a product of which they were proud and which was fun and of high quality. The workforce were given mini-logoed uniforms and also non-work clothing with the same branding. A full size model, maybe an actual car, was put on top of the highest point of the building for all to see. Flags line the approach. Most of all, BMW punched enormous windows in the parts of the factory visible from the roads so that everyone can see a part of the production line and the work which is going on there.

All this is part of selling a small car as a premium product at, it's fair to say, a premium price. But what a contrast from turning out dreary Morris Marinas etc

 

[burgundyben]

The thing under brown paper bag is a huge wirewound isolation transformer

Does it power the teleporter to get you from home to the boat in a flash?

 

[Firefly625]

Actually, I think your comment goes deeper.
It is as much Fairline showing a trust in the new owner as their own confidence to build a good boat.
They know jfm well and know that he will "work with them" to produce a satisfactory conclusion.
There are a lot of owners out there that simply say "fix it" to the builder and then simple problems just escalate.
Knowing that the owner will get involved with problems helps no end IMO.
I know its a lot of money but the partnership between the buyer and the builder is paramount in producing a good reliable boat.
Boats of this complexity ALWAYS have something go wrong - its the ability to fix it that matters and the owner/builder relationship is the most important factor. IMHO

indeed if you have confidence in the boats you build, which I am certain Fairline do and deservedly then jfm would be a dream buyer. Someone who I am sure will expect the possible little niggley problem during shakedown and work with Fairline to get the fix right. As you say, much easier to work with an owner getting issues fixed rather than someone throwing you a set of keys and just demanding a fix without further input...

 

[tico]

As a slightly sideways observation, compare jfm's high degree of involvement with his new boat (ship) with a certain other forumites far less involvement at the build stage (altho not at specifying).

I know which of the two will be happier with the final product.

 

[Trundlebug]

Fascinating.

Seeing all this complexity makes you appreciate why boats cost so much.

Agree with this. The one thing missing from the photos is the army of craftsmen all beavering away like ants.

I'll never forget going round the S/S factory and being amazed at the number of people involved in a boat's creation. It really does bring it home when you see it.

Until that point I could never figure out just where all the money went on a multi £million price tag. But when you see it like this, with all the high quality materials, design, and large numbers of skilled men working for many many months, you really start to appreciate that actually, the prices are quite fair and certainly justifiable. Something that large, that complex, and hand built from high quality materials makes understanding its price tag quite easy.

Certainly the low profit margins recently made by the likes of S/S and F/L indicate their prices are very keen indeed. It must be a nightmare for them to price the products accurately given all the customisation and low volume.

 

[EME]

No, it will be inside, at the back of fairline's stand. Up to about 85 ft is inside, and ~90ft+ goes outside at Excel. Alas, that means your lights cannot be demonstrated

Darn it! We shall have to apply for an indoor licence instead.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Love the exterior styling, jfm. Confident and sleek, I'd say. I don't like the huge swathes of glass some builders put into their superstructure which makes the boat look dumpy but Fairline seem to have stuck to a more tradional Squadron style. Great pics btw

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

As a slightly sideways observation, compare jfm's high degree of involvement with his new boat (ship) with a certain other forumites far less involvement at the build stage (altho not at specifying).

I know which of the two will be happier with the final product.

I guess most buyers would want as close an involvement with their build as jfm has but many builders wouldn't allow it. Whilst it is laudable that Fairline are happy to work with jfm on every detail, it must cost them money in terms of extra design hours and delayed production. I don't know but maybe Fairline have costed this into the price of the Sq78? Most production boatbuilders wont want to see the customer between the day he places the order and the day he takes delivery

 

[benjenbav]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jfm
No, it will be inside, at the back of fairline's stand. Up to about 85 ft is inside, and ~90ft+ goes outside at Excel. Alas, that means your lights cannot be demonstrated

Darn it! We shall have to apply for an indoor licence instead.

Seriously, I did wonder if F/L could build a water feature into their stand and demo the lights.

 

[Firefly625]

.............Most production boatbuilders wont want to see the customer between the day he places the order and the day he takes delivery

very true!

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Most production boatbuilders wont want to see the customer between the day he places the order and the day he takes delivery

Yes and important he gets the cheque book with him too!
But I have to disagree on personal experience with this comment. I have been to many small volume builders in Viareggio, and Rome area just by knocking on the door and actually these enjoy the visit and explain why and what this is happening. I think if they do it to a total stranger who has just passion I am sure they will be more then happy to show around the owner who is paying the bills.

 

[Hurricane]

I guess most buyers would want as close an involvement with their build as jfm has but many builders wouldn't allow it. Whilst it is laudable that Fairline are happy to work with jfm on every detail, it must cost them money in terms of extra design hours and delayed production. I don't know but maybe Fairline have costed this into the price of the Sq78? Most production boatbuilders wont want to see the customer between the day he places the order and the day he takes delivery

I dont think you are right on this, Mike.

Although we didnt have the same involvement that jfm has on his Squaddie, we visited our boat in build several times. Each time, they were very happy to meet us and said that we could come along as much as we wanted. This feeling extended right down to the factory floor where the guys actually doing the building seemed keen to "show off" their work. In fact, I even took djefabs from this forum along one time - I knew that he would enjoy the visit and would be able to afford the time off work.

Even though our boat was already part built and in the production line when we ordered her, I'm sure that Princess would welcome anyone to the factory at any time to see their boat's progress.

From what I've heard, Sunseeker are the same.