Boat in build pics (Squadron 78)

Nick_H said:
John, I haven't posted much on this thread (too busy with babies and builders!), but have been following it from the start, and it's been a fabulous insight for all of us who have never ordered a new boat. The end result is stunning, both in looks and specification, and I can't wait to step aboard in sunny Antibes next year, or maybe even in the solent in the spring.
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Goodo Nick - update us on baby: all well I hope, and congratulations
Yes, you'll be very welcome on board in solent or antibes, whichever works out. I walked past Heatwave today and she was looking very well
 
Trundlebug said:
Well taking her yourself would definitely put this amazing post well over the 100k viewings mark... unless you decide to start a new one for the jurney South of course!

Congratulations on both a stunning boat and a riveting post, it's been compulsive viewing 95,000 times so far!

It saddens me that Fairline are laying off another 80 people, I read in the latest MBY. I only hope that's not because your build is now finished, it would be such a shame if the skilled people who have put so much time and effort into your project were laid off.

At least this post has been good publicity, they deserve it.

Looking forward to seeing it close up at LIBS if I may.
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Yes it's sad about the layoffs. I have no special or inside knowledge, but I think they result from Fairline moving out of their old Barnwell road site and concentrating on the new sites in Nene Valley (where my 78 was built) and Corby, rahter than a lack of demand for boats. Certianly my boat's completion has nothing to do with it: mine is hull 70 and hulls 71,72,73 are all in build, with 2 of them sold and strong interest on builds beyond that, so there seems to be strong demand for the work of the 78 line. I'm pretty sure there have been no redundancies among the 78 build team

As for the trip South I'd like to drive her there but it is a full 2000nm and that's (to state the bleedin obvious) 8 solid days of 250nm/day which frankly could be a bit boring. The time to do it is that 11 days-for-the-price-of-3 next year when we have easter and royal wedding, but the more I think about it the more I'd like her already there by then, and I can spend the 11 days on a nice cruise to Menorca/Ibiza maybe (several hundred miles) or Corsica, instead of spending my holiday slogging 250nm/day. Anyway, I'll cogitate on it some more!

Thanks for your kind words on the thing generally. Needless to say as a lifelong boater I'm totally delighted to be able to play with such a toy
 
rubberduck said:
Will be bringing Sam (eldest son) to have a look at the sort of boat he will be getting in a few years if he carries on being a clever clogs.:)
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You'll be very welcome. I'm quite happy to provide a service of saying to Sam "Work hard at your studies and it'll turn out to be worth it, etc" if you wish. I will actually mean it :-) He's well on the right track if he's got to Cambridge; congratulations to him on that
 
jfm said:
............Centre section of table is black leather................. Sunseeker do a similar set up, including the leather strip, on Y80 as one of the options................

Galley tops are black granite with sparkly bits.......................
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Aha, we have similar looking dining tables and black granite tops in the galley, nice choices. (Y80 dining table centre section is black glass, not leather)

Are you still deciding on how to get Match to SoF? I know its not an easy decision to make (although keen forumites would make it for you! :) ) but you might regret missing the opportunity to get to know her over a long passage like this, the boat is certainly built to do it. I reckon the cost would be about the same? If you have the time, I would say go for it.
 
jfm said:
You'll be very welcome. I'm quite happy to provide a service of saying to Sam "Work hard at your studies and it'll turn out to be worth it, etc" if you wish. I will actually mean it :-) He's well on the right track if he's got to Cambridge; congratulations to him on that
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Well it worked with the Merc which I bought him as a reward for 10 A* & 2 A GCSE's, this one he has to earn himself. Any encouragement will be gratefully received.:)
 
rubberduck said:
Well it worked with the Merc which I bought him as a reward for 10 A* & 2 A GCSE's, this one he has to earn himself. Any encouragement will be gratefully received.:)
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Ok, encouragement promised. But you gotta keep the merc story strictly confidential if my sons are around. I have put much effort into duping them into thinking that the going rate is a "preloved" Peugeot 106/Fiat Punto/Mini kinda machine, and I'd hate you to recalibrate their pricing expectations so they invoice me for some back tax :D

Seriously though, that's a very fine scoresheet and many congratulations to him and respect for the amount of work that it takes
 
MoodyNick said:
is JFM having too much fun playing with his fine craft ?
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Yup Nick, have been in Ipswich doing last minute tweaks (cushions etc) to boat before it leaves for LIBS. It is totally finished now, sea trialed, all fantastic and I'm still so incredibly pleased with it and happy with Fairline's whole package

These first 5 pics show it being lifted at Fairline's Ipswich facility for some quick checks (of a puller device to remove the stab fins), and some close up shots of the stabs
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Here she is being manoeuvred from the crane to her berth...
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Here is sofa being installed across transom (sofa base contains 2x 8 man liferafts in canisters):
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And finally a few random interior shots taken yesterday
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WOW JFM....

I have been following your build thread and resited posting so far as I have had nothing to add which hadnt been said already by other posters.

But I cant resist any longer, having seen Match in all her glory on the water. She is simply beautiful and the way you have shared the build story, in such an intimate and enthusiastic way, has been a joy to read and a credit to you.

I suspect that you will take even more pleasure from using your beautiful boat, as you clearly have had building her. You are indeed a very lucky man!
Enjoy
Ian
 
Hi John, ive read every post here, its quite simply stunning I bet you cant wait to get your hands on the throttles and get the feel of here, shame its so cold here.

I will try and get to the show for a look, a cracking example of British workmanship its such a shame the factory has laid off staff, maybe your boat will be a good advert for orders at the show.

All the best to you.
 
Like a few forumites have already mentioned that they've not yet commented on this site as they (like I) cannot think of anything worthwhile to add of any value!

Sod it - I'm going to anyway! It is remarkable when something is designed, created/moulded and so many different 'craftsmen' are brought together to create such a thing of beauty. Only after following this thread and seeing all of the pictures etc can I now appreciate how much time, effort, and a fair bit of hardgraft I should think goes into making such a craft. (and then to be brash - how much they cost :D:D )

Well done JHM - I truly hope that she(?) serves you well.

Again a real shame re the job losses but across the board I think it is agreed that it going to get worse before it gets better, and I think that Fairline would do well to point any prospective buyer towards this thread to give them an insight into 'what goes on behind the scenes' far better than their shiny brochures.
 
Stunning is all I can say.

Many congratulations and best wishes for the future.

SWIMBO is also very approving however, my 9 year old wonders if we can get it in Pink!!!!

Have I taught her nothing :(
 
Jfm she does look stunning. On the close up of the stab there appears to be a cut out section on the leading edge, is this to allow access to remove the stab? When are you putting her name on?

Not a bad Xmas present to yourself ;-)
 
Looks stunning JFM, cant wait to see her at LIBS
You are obviously extremley good at your day job to be in a position to purchase such a craft but I think you could probably put a few interior designers and boat project managers / designers to shame as well!
 
Nah, rubbish, terrible design! Surely I can't be alone in thinking that those cushions and poofy fabric throw on the aft cabin bench are going to last no time outdoors in these conditions!

And as for those stabilisers, after all the build up aren't they a bit er, well, small?

Seriously it looks fab hopefully I'll get to see this one before Match 2 comes along.

Pete
 
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