Fairline Boats purchased

[henryf]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

I also know that the new management are keener than the old lot to get these things right and prevent future issues.

To that end I genuinely wish them every success. I think that is the key to a rosy future. Get the basic space sorted out and you can fiddle with design choices, materials and so on along with target price.

I would happily sit down over a cup of tea and discuss design choices which saw us move away from the brand and remain absent.

It's early days of course. At the moment I imagine they are trying to generate some sort of revenue stream but very quickly they need to open the investment taps and get a design team together who, along with a new hull can make the statement which says we have arrived

As brand ambassador and director of public relations will you be based in the Uk or is it a worldwide role ?


Henry

 

[henryf]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

But it's not like in the 50' to 60' range Princess is the only builder that would pop to my mind, head and shoulders above the rest...

Just for my own reference and I mean this in all sincerity, where else would you suggest I look?

Henry

 

[MapisM]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

Well, Azimut and Ferretti are the most obvious answers, if we're talking of new boats. And Sanlorenzo, if we stretch the 50'-60' range by a couple of feets.
Sadly, some of the best builders in this range went belly up with the crisis...
But if you're interested also in used boats, you fill not find VZ and Uniesse overall build quality in any Princess of comparable size/age.
Not to mention of CURRENT age, where overall build quality has definitely gone down compared to a dozen of years ago (not just for Princess, of course).

 

[henryf]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

I went onto the Azimut range after I typed my question to you because I wondered if you might suggest them. At the risk of offending people I was not impressed in the context of what we are discussing. Every boat had 2 massive steps going up from the saloon then back down again to the accommodation. Windows were compromised by a shark fin thing sticking up and also a big GRP bar running along the length of the opening.

Similarly it was easy to see the hull shape in all the floors down below. They weren't flat.

I would put them firmly in the Fairline school of space usage. I only looked at the Flybridge boats.

I certainly didn't see anything to rival the Princess floor, ceiling, window achievements. I not talking design flair or layout choice, purely constructional space.

Henry

 

[Cheery]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

Just had a quick look at an Azimut 60 and it is as you say, full of steps. It would be good for your fitness as it would be one long step class. Think of the gym classes you wouldn't have to attend. As for the shark's fin and GRP bar, it does indeed seem obstructive to the point of claustrophobic. IMHO of course.

 

[MapisM]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

Actually, when you said that you're "known for my love of Princess but only because objectively I think they are class leaders", it didn't appear to me as strictly referred to space usage...

Anyway, if you are suggesting that (for instance) the AZ54 space usage reminds you of the T53 flaws, you'd better take your Princess-tinted glasses off, methink.
Inch for inch, I'm pretty sure that interior spaces are absolutely comparable - if not better - to the P56, which is actually a bit longer boat. And that's without even starting to compare prices.

But of course, in these evaluations (as opposed to structural build quality, which is what I was more thinking of with my previous replies) there's a large "each to their own" component, so if you prefer the P56 layout to the AZ54, I neither can nor want to argue with that.

As long as you don't call the P56 "objectively a class leader", that is!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

Just had a quick look at an Azimut 60 and it is as you say, full of steps. It would be good for your fitness as it would be one long step class.

I'm sure that Stannah have a marinised version of their stair lift to help an old guy like henryf up and down those steps

 

[rafiki_]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

One at a time Mike and MM. We are currently working with PeteM on his conversion from F/line to something with a bit more style and soul. Once complete we can turn our attention to H ��

 

[Anders_P42]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

As I said in the Princess 49 thread, that boat will have two steps to the middle of the saloon. So much for flat floors. Regarding the T53, the mere fact that you weren't alone in your criticism Henry does mean the issues you frequent remind of us do need to be carefully considered and addressed as required. I also know that the new management are keener than the old lot to get these things right and prevent future issues.

As for being 5'2", I'm not THAT short!

I doubt the two steps in P49 will be the same same size as the one in T53, shown in this vid at 3:10. Princess may have just opted for two shallower steps, like Jack suggested in the this video. Mid ship cabin height shown at 4:42 for those who didn't make it onboard at SIBS.

 

[petem]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

One at a time Mike and MM. We are currently working with PeteM on his conversion from F/line to something with a bit more style and soul. Once complete we can turn our attention to H ��

Sssshhhhh, don't tell people!

 

[petem]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

As brand ambassador and director of public relations will you be based in the Uk or is it a worldwide role ?

Galactic actually Henry .

 

[vas]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

Galactic actually Henry .

Pete careful,

as your marketing ideas obviously stretch to 4ft Martians be warned that:
A. although they'll be happy with the master cabin height, they'll struggle with the salon to helm (or whatever) steps
B. you got to work on a plan to melt the ice up there as they wont have any water to float the 53 on - not sure on oxygen for the engines to breath, but get it floating first

V.

 

[rafiki_]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

Sssshhhhh, don't tell people!

OK, let's keep this between the two of us ?

 

[MapisM]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

Sssshhhhh, don't tell people!

Don't be shy, spill the beans. An Italian f/b thingie maybe, following whitelighter?
Go ahead, life's too short...!

 

[Omegaelite]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

I totally agree. I have been skimming across this thread for some time now. Maybe I'm just not clever enough to understand the debate. That or it really is drivel

In answer to the 53 question, I'm assuming you didn't go inside. From the outside not a bad looking boat, I appreciate beauty is in the eye of the beholder & all but there is nothing to offend. The problem comes with the internal use of space. What was it about the Princess which disappointed you because I would say they are the people to beat at the moment. Flat floors, good headroom, large windows and from there the ability to create a likeable and sociable space.

Contrast that with the Fairline 53. Huge step in the middle of the Saloon, wasted space to Starboard, seating on Port side too small to actually sit in. Try it. Have 3 adults sit down and see what happens with your legs & knees. Then go down below and in spite of the huge saloon step the is no headroom in the master cabin. At 6 foot 2 inches I was looking straight at a wall, I couldn't see the bed. At 5 foot 2 inches I might have been ok and possibly this may be where some liked it.

Thanks for the feedback on the t53. I did make it on board the t53 and i suppose i wasnt that phased by the low ceiling as its better than the main cabin on my t47. Which isnt comparing apples with apples. For me the open t53 has shafts and a sun bed and a tender garage, so is the logical migration path for me from the t47. Just preffered the feel of the fairline to the princess coudnt put a finger on what though, Not anti princess as i like the v62, princess dont make a comparable boat from what i can see to the t53 open, its either v48 on ips or v58 ehich is much more epxensice and bigger as open boats.

That said weve been away this weekend and while the mrs was in the pool, ive sat with my laptop researching boats.....which got me looking at buying a used v62 princess or targa 62.....instead of a new t53 open, both still have a door and arnt truly open but are big enough to give it the open feel with Sunpad. This has thrown my thoughts for next boat into complete disarray

In terms of spares for the t47, bates have been ok i suppose just another email everyweek saying hoepfully here next week. The new owners of fairline , the old ones or the administrators cant have fired the spares guy as hes critical! I generally need little bits that i not aure how else to source. Lime for instance i currently need the plastic vent covers for the side of tbe fridge grp panel as skmebody has kicked both and broken them! Also want a new style fairline steering wheel and lots of other little bits.

 

[petem]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

Don't be shy, spill the beans. An Italian f/b thingie maybe, following whitelighter?
Go ahead, life's too short...!

No beans to spill yet but am hoping to have a look at Rafiki's Az39 is it's only 30 mins down the road from me. Not been on one before but it might confirm what I should be looking for. Unfortunately there aren't any AZ39's quite on my price range so a purchase is not looking likely this year.

 

[henryf]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

Thanks for the feedback on the t53. I did make it on board the t53 and i suppose i wasnt that phased by the low ceiling as its better than the main cabin on my t47. Which isnt comparing apples with apples. For me the open t53 has shafts and a sun bed and a tender garage, so is the logical migration path for me from the t47. Just preffered the feel of the fairline to the princess coudnt put a finger on what though, Not anti princess as i like the v62, princess dont make a comparable boat from what i can see to the t53 open, its either v48 on ips or v58 ehich is much more epxensice and bigger as open boats.

That said weve been away this weekend and while the mrs was in the pool, ive sat with my laptop researching boats.....which got me looking at buying a used v62 princess or targa 62.....instead of a new t53 open, both still have a door and arnt truly open but are big enough to give it the open feel with Sunpad. This has thrown my thoughts for next boat into complete disarray

Would you not look at a V52?

Been around a while now and sold in good numbers so they do exist on the used market. I've always thought they are a good looking boat. Great owners full beam cabin. We seriously considered one prior to buying the P50 flybridge but we are flybridge people. Had a Targa 35 (which became the T37) prior to the Phantom 42.

With the V52 you have the best of both worlds, opening roof and sliding doors when you want air and wind, close them up when you want warmth or air conditioning.

Henry

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

Don't be shy, spill the beans. An Italian f/b thingie maybe, following whitelighter?
Go ahead, life's too short...!

Don't worry. We'll keep filling him with pasta and prosecco and he will eventually see the light

PS sorry about the rugby. There are some things for which English is always best

 

[Omegaelite]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

Would you not look at a V52?

Been around a while now and sold in good numbers so they do exist on the used market. I've always thought they are a good looking boat. Great owners full beam cabin. We seriously considered one prior to buying the P50 flybridge but we are flybridge people. Had a Targa 35 (which became the T37) prior to the Phantom 42.

With the V52 you have the best of both worlds, opening roof and sliding doors when you want air and wind, close them up when you want warmth or air conditioning.

Henry

My mrs likes having the sunpad on the back which seems to limit us to "open boats" like the v48 or t48 with ips. I like shafts, so that limits me to v58, v62 or t62 / t64.....

Which annoyingly brings me back to t53....as i dont like flybridge. Have borrowed a few over the years and have never got on with them.

 

[henryf]

Re: Fairline makes boat show comeback in Miami

I appreciate that a flybridge and a sports boat are different beasts. We could live with a sports boat in the UK.

Obviously not having the garage onto which a sunbed is placed allows more space inside. There are sun cushions on the bow of the V52 which might be a compromise. I've always thought the V52 is one of those seminal boats within the line up.

Ultimately you have to decide what works for you but I'm surprised you would take all the compromises of a T53 if other, dare I say more trivial issues prevent some purchases.

Henry