Squadron 55 2001

[Hooligan]

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.

I have 2007 s58 and totally agree. I tend to run at 1600 to 1700 revs when wanting a comfortable cruise. Key is to get on the plane so i tend to think you either cruise at 10 to 11 knots or 17 to 18 but not in between. The rear flaps on the S58 are really good and something often overlooked. they are big and really effective. Not sure what they look like on the 55. The inside staircase is useful when transporting food and plates etc from the galley to where you spend all your time eating . Like J above manouvering is quite easy and I only ever want a rear thruster - which i dont have - when there is a nasty crosswind and I don't have enough crew. Most people say that the S58 is the best boat Fairline made.

 

[novanta]

Your boat has 2 stairs for fly? This 55 is an edition with only inside stairs!!

You mean that this is a 2001 Sq55 with D12's and no cockpit ladder to the flybridge??

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

So you think that Az55 is better than SQ55? In some areas Azimut is better.
Fairline has very very good quality of wood. Same quality of wood. You seem some
AZ55 Evolution 2007+ has good quality. The older gloss one looks very yellow and old. Same quality of wood more or less. You see some AZ 55 because they do not cover glass windows. All gloss cherry yellows itself if exposed to a lot of sun. Most AZ 55 are in the sun and in high season they get 12 hours a day of sun. Have seen Fairline with yellow wood. And also gelcoat likes to craze itself on the deck with boats before to 2000.
AZ55 Evo has also D12 instead the old one with old CATs. Never saw an an AZ55 with Volvos, always with Cats C12 715hp (2003 onward) and 3196 before that (2001-3).
All materials of SQ is far better! Very subjective. Some areas Azimut are better and in some Fline are better.
Interior sofas SQ wins AZ for sure. Not agree on this.
Fly layout is almost the same style. Please one is a midships full beam cabin boat, the other is a traditional 1980s onward layout. Also the saloon in the Az has a less important split level.
Rooms... SQ has 3 double. AZ has 3 double but the room near engine is HUGE. AZ wins! Yes agree see above
Kitchen SQ wins Not sure. 55 Sq is the same and is in a hole. So this depends if you and partner do the cooking and socialize in it or have a crew do it for you in a hole.
Laundry/Storage room only SQ has it and it is very usefull! Yes I agree it is useful, but the trade off is a huge full beam owners cabin.
Center helm position in SQ wins! For med mooring I do not think so, as I like to have side view while mooring stern too.
Internal stair for fly only SQ. Ok.
Side door for walk around area only SQ. Ok, not important in small sizes but I can see why people like this.
Crew cabin SQ double. AZ single! Useless in a 16/17 meter flybridge boat to have two crew berths.

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. Fairline is extra rated especially when you see some of the systems and when launched the Azimut 55 was a bit more expensive to the Squadron 55, but then the difference might have also been little. A good condition AZ 55 get better $$$$ in the used market then the Squadron 55. But competition is more fierce with the 55 as they made 400+ of them (most are the med, and East Coast USA) . About 200 Sq 55 when made from 96 to 04. Used boats are subject to condition.