Squadron 55 2001

[hkikis]

Hello!!

What is your opinion about Squadron 55? Any experience in this boat?
It has D12 700hp engines. I surprised about that because I was thinking that in this age will have TAMD.
Do you know fuel consumption? Also what about max speed?

As about sailing performance I am sure that will be quite good as all Fairline boats.

 

[Reality61]

There are a few bits of info on youtube JD yacht sales have had a few but most of the 55's with D12 800, so would suspect yours a little slower, D series will be more fuel efficient than TAMD engines but less HP will even it out I would of thought.
Hope you get a Fairline owner to reply if not try contacting Steven Chambers at (Bates Wharf ) Fairline Southampton sales office he is exceptionally knowledgeable and always helpful.
Good luck.

 

[volvopaul]

Hello!!

What is your opinion about Squadron 55? Any experience in this boat?
It has D12 700hp engines. I surprised about that because I was thinking that in this age will have TAMD.
Do you know fuel consumption? Also what about max speed?

As about sailing performance I am sure that will be quite good as all Fairline boats.

Will be a great boat , nothing wrong with the D12 715 just don’t overfill the engines with oil of you buy it as they breathe oil out the 2 crank case filters .

The later 800 wasn’t introduced until around 2003/2004 as I can remember , this engine had an internal breather system which was better set up .

The 55 will go nicely with 1400 hp.

 

[volvopaul]

The earlier TAMD 122P edc is also a good engine .

 

[jrudge]

I have a S58 2004 with D12 715

No issues in particular. They do need the valves adjusting and the sump seal is a know weak point. I have had mine done.

The S58 will so 7 -9 lt per NM depending on sea state and the state of the hull / props. The 55 will be pretty similar.

Mine does 32 kit when clean which is a real world 28/9 once it has half a seasons grime on it. The props make more difference than the hull ( to a point of course)

I am in Mallorca and rarely in a hurry. 18kts is a nice all round cruising speed for most sea states you want to be out in. I I want to get somewhere then 24/5 kts.

 

[MapisM]

If you are interested also in a view on the boat overall rather than just her powerplant, here's my 2c, based on a very extensive search, focused on 55 to 60 footers of similar vintage.
I checked out many different models, built by about two dozens (I kid you not!) of different yards: Fairline, Princess, S/skr, Ferretti, Azimut, just to name the most popular ones.
And frankly, the Sq55 was imho among the worst of them all, in more ways than one, in sharp contrast with the Sq58, which was instead among the best.
But nope, not because a bit larger. There are several other reasons why the 55 is one of the first boats that I ruled out, while the 58 made it to my top 5 list.
Bottom line, if for any reason you have a preference for Fairline, I think you would do yourself a big favour by looking at the 58 instead.
I'm aware that she generally commands a higher price than the 55, but for very, very good reasons.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Dont hold back P, why dont you tell us what you really think about the Sq55?

Agree the Sq58 was one of Fairline's best but what are your reason's for not liking the Sq55?

 

[hkikis]

I have a S58 2004 with D12 715

No issues in particular. They do need the valves adjusting and the sump seal is a know weak point. I have had mine done.

The S58 will so 7 -9 lt per NM depending on sea state and the state of the hull / props. The 55 will be pretty similar.

Mine does 32 kit when clean which is a real world 28/9 once it has half a seasons grime on it. The props make more difference than the hull ( to a point of course)

I am in Mallorca and rarely in a hurry. 18kts is a nice all round cruising speed for most sea states you want to be out in. I I want to get somewhere then 24/5 kts.

18 is the most fuel economy speed? Do you remember rpm and liter/hour?

How do you think about the quality and layout of Squadron?
I like very much the small room with wash machine! I would like to have cook oven! I cannot understand why in so big boats they dont have an oven!
Your boat has 2 stairs for fly? This 55 is an edition with only inside stairs!!
I like it because it has huge sofa at fly. Also the rear doors without any stairs are more sexy and more space there.
The curve rear doors are very very nice.... The boat looks so luxury!

Is it easy to maneuvering for docking etc? Do you have aft controlers? From fly you can see enough for docking/mooring?

 

[hkikis]

MapisM
I cannot understand... You think the Sq55 is the worst.. Can you tell me why you are telling that? What is wrong with that boat?

 

[jrudge]

18 is the most fuel economy speed? Do you remember rpm and liter/hour?

How do you think about the quality and layout of Squadron?
I like very much the small room with wash machine! I would like to have cook oven! I cannot understand why in so big boats they dont have an oven!
Your boat has 2 stairs for fly? This 55 is an edition with only inside stairs!!
I like it because it has huge sofa at fly. Also the rear doors without any stairs are more sexy and more space there.
The curve rear doors are very very nice.... The boat looks so luxury!

Is it easy to maneuvering for docking etc? Do you have aft controlers? From fly you can see enough for docking/mooring?

the fuel consumption on most boats is pretty flat litres per nm until you get to the last 10% of power when it rises.

I am in no hurry and 18 kts gives a nice ride, get me there and is mechanically considerate. There is no material difference in consumption on a l pr nm basis at 18 or 24.

The utility room is useful. It also stores weeks of provisions - the storage in the galley is miserable.

Some sweat by internal stairs. We rarely use them. I would not want a boat with no cockpit to fly access. If nothing else it hinders getting on deck when mooring.

I just have 2 engines and a bow thruster which is fine. There is good visibility from the upper helm.

Dont labour on fuel consumption too much. Mooring will likely be the biggest cost.

 

[Portofino]

Dont hold back P, why dont you tell us what you really think about the Sq55?

internatIonal lockdown has few positives .......the U.K. FL fanboys can’t get him

 

[MapisM]

Dont hold back P, why dont you tell us what you really think about the Sq55?

Agree the Sq58 was one of Fairline's best but what are your reason's for not liking the Sq55?

Truth be told M (and in reply also to the OP question), I can't even remember exactly.
I mean, there are other boats which I evaluated more carefully before ruling them out, like for instance the Technema 55 and the Manhattan 56, for which I could name name several things that I didn't like.
The Sq55 was disappointing in so many ways that I mentally ruled her out after the first 5 minutes onboard.
In general, having in mind the Sq58, I found her nowhere nearly comparable, and much smaller than the name suggests.
In fact, even without checking the specs, I could bet that she's much narrower.
The only detail that I remember well, because I thought that I would have awarded it as the "worst in class", is the engine room, whose accessibility was beyond a joke.
That particular boat (whose first owner was Beppe Grillo, btw!) was actually Cat 3196 powered, but being those engines 6 inline cylinders and 12 litres, exactly like the VPs, I don't think that dimensions/accessibility can be radically different.

Anyhow, if for any reason the OP is interested to compare the Sq 55 to other competitors, but strictly sticking to 55 footers, the ones which I would suggest him to check out are the Uniesse 55, Technema 55, Azimut 55, and VZ16.
Probably not very well known in the UK (Azi aside), but I would go for any of these over the Sq55 any day.
Otoh, I'm afraid there's no way for the OP to appreciate what I mean, aside from viewing and judging in person.
Btw, another remarkable example of a much better boat, even if nominally smaller, is the Ferretti 53 which you know very well.
It isn't even necessary to enter the two boats: just by standing in the cockpit, you would think it's impossible that the FL is the larger one!

 

[hkikis]

So you think that Az55 is better than SQ55?
Fairline has very very good quality of wood.
AZ55 Evolution 2007+ has good quality. The older gloss one looks very yellow and old.
AZ55 Evo has also D12 instead the old one with old CATs.
All materials of SQ is far better!
Interior sofas SQ wins AZ for sure.
Fly layout is almost the same style.
Rooms... SQ has 3 double. AZ has 3 double but the room near engine is HUGE. AZ wins!
Kitchen SQ wins
Laundry/Storage room only SQ has it and it is very usefull!
Center helm position in SQ wins!
Internal stair for fly only SQ.
Side door for walk around area only SQ.
Crew cabin SQ double. AZ single!

The only thing that AZ has very nice is the huge bedroom with office and small sofa. Yes this point is very very nice.

Also as about brand value ofcourse Fairline is far better. All Fairline are quite expensive instead the other brands.
From new also Fairline prices are more expensive than AZ.

Finally there are better 55ft boats. But with around 200k I don't think that there is any competitor!
For example do you know Galeon 530 around 2009? Fantastic boat with quite fresh design and unbelievable good layout. But more expensive and a brand not so strong.

 

[dustywings]

So you think that Az55 is better than SQ55?
Fairline has very very good quality of wood.
AZ55 Evolution 2007+ has good quality. The older gloss one looks very yellow and old.
AZ55 Evo has also D12 instead the old one with old CATs.
All materials of SQ is far better!
Interior sofas SQ wins AZ for sure.
Fly layout is almost the same style.
Rooms... SQ has 3 double. AZ has 3 double but the room near engine is HUGE. AZ wins!
Kitchen SQ wins
Laundry/Storage room only SQ has it and it is very usefull!
Center helm position in SQ wins!
Internal stair for fly only SQ.
Side door for walk around area only SQ.
Crew cabin SQ double. AZ single!

The only thing that AZ has very nice is the huge bedroom with office and small sofa. Yes this point is very very nice.

Also as about brand value ofcourse Fairline is far better. All Fairline are quite expensive instead the other brands.
From new also Fairline prices are more expensive than AZ.

Finally there are better 55ft boats. But with around 200k I don't think that there is any competitor!
For example do you know Galeon 530 around 2009? Fantastic boat with quite fresh design and unbelievable good layout. But more expensive and a brand not so strong.

Obviously biased, but if you are at 200k then a stretch to a SQ58 would give you nicer boat and probably more desirable upon reasale!
Of course just my opinion...and maybe one or two others on here!

 

[hkikis]

As I see again the prices at yachtworld with 275k you can buy a SQ58 2005 and with 225k you can buy a SQ55 2001.
Yes it look small difference. But the advantages of SQ58 aren't huge.

MapisM isn't totally wrong. With range of money 225-275k there are a lot boats. Aicon 56 for example. Better looking but not so good brand like Fairline.
Feretti looks unbelievable old inside. Grandy look. Manhattan 56 isn't something special.. Similar to SQ. But the newer are fantastic.

I am trying to buy SQ55 2001 vat paid around 175k £ or 200k €. In very good condition with 1100hours and in my area. So no extra money to transport it.

So as you understand I don't believe that there is competitor with 175k £! Do you agree or not? Haha

 

[MapisM]

So you think that Az55 is better than SQ55?

I certainly do, even if among the four examples I previously mentioned, I'd rate her as the last, qualitywise.
But hey, I assumed that you would have easily agreed after seeing one.
So, if you already did and still preferred the Sq55, who am I to argue?

 

[Reality61]

Hi
Where you boat may have an impact on what engines you go for, as an example Cat near us (only 2miles away) charge £85 traveling fee. Specialist tools are required for alot of there jobs, which can remove the tinkering, if you do that of course.
Europe has a better network of dealers than the UK. Also on some engines there are ten anodes internally in each engine which put us of buying a AZ38, it was up to £1500 a year on anodes when we checked the service records. would prefer to put that in fuel to be honest and use the boat. We ended up with Volvo engines in a princess and we are so pleased we went for this brand.

 

[Portofino]

I am trying to buy SQ55 2001 vat paid around 175k £ or 200k €. In very good condition with 1100hours and in my area. So no extra money to transport it.

So as you understand I don't believe that there is competitor with 175k £! Do you agree or not? Haha

Try looking @ San Lorenzo 57 ,s .
Ok in absolute terms 10 y older but even a 15 y old 2005 boat say a FL , is gonna need or have already been in a severe repair / replacement regime.
You have not indicated what’s type of use age .We have the price range thx .
Presume floating holiday home / accommodation is majoring big in the decision? ....you like the extra cubby cabin in the Sq 55/58 ?
A SL 57 has space in spades compared and side door to the galley ....which looks like a proper kitchen .

MAN or DD ...either but to me it’s all in the history not just the engines but the whole boat .
A well used Sq 55 could need within the first 2 years , new stern gear m new risers, new cut less bearings , air con woes , teak woes etc etc .........so find something classic like a SL 57 and study the maintenance records carefully.

As said don’t get fixated with marina / dock controls gadgets .......hire a tutor / skipper and practice , practice , practice .

 

[hkikis]

Portofino I am not looking for museum haha
Ok it is a little old this boat. Early 2000 are old too but I don't have money for newer.
I prefered to buy a boat around 2009! So 90s boats aren't in my range.
Think that Ferretti untill 2010 I feel that there are like museums too.

To explain better my best choice would be a boat like this:
Manhatann 50 07 very fresh looking Sunseeker Manhattan 50 Used Boat for Sale 2005 | TheYachtMarket
Galeon 530 09 Unbelievable nice boat. Very nice rooms. Very nice layout. Really fantastic.
Azimut 55 I like it too but ok it isn't the state of art and it doesn't deserve more money than a Squadron!!

Today I see this boat Fairline Squadron 58 /17.55m (2003) for sale in Athens - AlphaOceanic
Yes yes it is even better than 55! But very expensive.

There is also a boat that I am waiting news.
Galeon 530 09 400hours only but it needs some reapairs because it was abandoned from the owner.
Moisture at the fabrics around the front windscreen. So it needs new fabrics in some parts. The water coming from the windscreens for sure.
Also it has some osmosis. Some blisters. It needs full antiosmosis.
The price is very good and it is in my area too. Only 190k € - 170k£

 

[MapisM]

Think that Ferretti untill 2010 I feel that there are like museums too.

Well, that's a clear cut case of each to their own, if I've ever seen one.
In the size and time range you are considering, I would rate above the boats you mentioned each and every model Ferretti built, bar none:
53/530, 57, 550/551, 590/591 (this latter being a bit of a stretch in terms of size, actually).
And imho, two epic models who contributed to make Ferretti what it is in the 90s, i.e. the 165 and the 175, were even better built, in more ways than one.
But, hey-ho! Good luck with the Sq55 and the Galeon.......