Squadron 56 on ebay

Have walked past it a few times but never looked too close, I'm sure a friend of mine who moores nearby knows the owner
 
hmmm, change in conditions...

First, his solicitor will hold the deposit and funds, then its H Marine Services.

Cold feet about something ? I hope someone has read the forum advice on escow accounts from those people with big boat experience.
Yes but a naked escrow account is no use. It needs a set of terms as to how/when/whether the escrow money is ultimately paid to the seller or the buyer, eg in a transaction that fails. Without those terms, you don't have the protection you want. He holds most of the cards because the escrow agent is hired by him and will likely follow his terms not yours
 
That looks an outstandingly good boat for £100k. In the current market, and with the "wrong" engines (ie the ones that the market just doesn't like as much) it is probably not worth much more than that, esp with 2000 hours.

Interesting that you made the point about the 'wrong' engines as indeed 'djefabs' does have this model of Squadron fitted with MAN680s' (they'll give over 30 knots on a 26 ton boat) and I'm pretty sure that was his first choice over Volvo and they were recommended to him by another very experienced Squaddie 56 owner that you may know I believe. Certainly 'Hurricane' does.

I've spent a lot of time along side his boat over the years and even though they are getting a bit dated, they still have a classic robust look and comfortable in a sea. Some good stories told about the trip back from a previous location of Vilamoura...

Looking at this one offered on eBay, the spec looks good and the condition more than reasonable for her age. Obviously, there needs to be some serious considerations but looks great from a starting point and plenty of vessel from the pestle.

Strange also that the seller has tied it up with pre-sale prevention by conditions. If he wants to sell it he has to allow prospective viewers to scrutinise, I would have thought.:ambivalence:

Still Mr. Fabs may turn up soon and offer an objective view.
 
Interesting that you made the point about the 'wrong' engines as indeed 'djefabs' does have this model of Squadron fitted with MAN680s' (they'll give over 30 knots on a 26 ton boat) and I'm pretty sure that was his first choice over Volvo and they were recommended to him by another very experienced Squaddie 56 owner that you may know I believe. Certainly 'Hurricane' does.

I've spent a lot of time along side his boat over the years and even though they are getting a bit dated, they still have a classic robust look and comfortable in a sea. Some good stories told about the trip back from a previous location of Vilamoura...

Looking at this one offered on eBay, the spec looks good and the condition more than reasonable for her age. Obviously, there needs to be some serious considerations but looks great from a starting point and plenty of vessel from the pestle.

Strange also that the seller has tied it up with pre-sale prevention by conditions. If he wants to sell it he has to allow prospective viewers to scrutinise, I would have thought.:ambivalence:

Still Mr. Fabs may turn up soon and offer an objective view.
Ah, ok. I'm very happy to stand corrected. I thought that the Volvos (I cannot remember which exact engine) was the choice that the market generally preferred but if in fact the MANs are better, or even if they are better and the market doesn't know it, then that's great and makes this eBay boat even more desirable than it already was

I realise DJEfabs has done a lot of miles/hours in his so if he has no engine troubles then that's great. The other owner might be Gludy and iirc all his boat troubles related to boats after his Sq56/9, the goodship Drumbeat. He must rue the day he ever sold Drumbeat...

This squadron really does look attractive. As I said, if I fancied it I'd just bid anyway then negotiate my way through all the deposit and no-inspection stuff (all in good faith - intending to buy the boat). TBH I have not even seen where there is a "no survey" condition that people are saying applies
 
If all else fails buy a plot of land somewhere nice, dig a large hole and get the boat craned into the hole. You will end up with a really stylish and very comfortable country cottage with all mod cons, and selling the MANs will probably pay for the crane. You can reject claims for council tax because you are a boat. How can you lose?
 
Looks very low in the water here...

$_1.JPG


... an optical illusion?

Anyhow, JFM, I agree Gludy's troubles started after Drumbeat. I was wondering if this could be Drumbeat but I've a feeling Drumbeat had darker wood?
 
Looks very low in the water here...

$_1.JPG


... an optical illusion?

Anyhow, JFM, I agree Gludy's troubles started after Drumbeat. I was wondering if this could be Drumbeat but I've a feeling Drumbeat had darker wood?
I think it's just a trick of the still camera. In other shot it is fine. Pictures are taken on a windy day in the Orwell, btw :)

It seems weird how there is a steel wire going (I think) from radar arch to the end of each davit. Do they need support? Is that normal? Seems a bit bodgy to me. Not a reason not to buy the boat - just saying.

I'm pretty sure drumbeat had the green interior. This one is blue, and the blue seems original rather than refit because there is blue not green piping on the flybridge plus more importantly the panels in the front cabin sides where the portholes are mounted are blue and are VERY difficult to reupholster. You have to remove the side wood cabinets, and that's a pretty big task. Anything is possible of course, but I'd strongly guess this is an original blue and therefore not Drumbeat.

It's a pretty nice looking boat imho and still feels a potential great deal at around £100k. Where's Whitelighter?
 
Last edited:
It seems weird how there is a steel wire going (I think) from radar arch to the end of each davit. Do they need support? Is that normal? Seems a bit bodgy to me. Not a reason not to buy the boat - just saying.

They look like the Whittall davits with arms on to take a passerelle, they usually have wires everywhere.
 
I'm pretty sure drumbeat had the green interior. This one is blue, and the blue seems original rather than refit because there is blue not green piping on the flybridge plus more importantly the panels in the front cabin sides where the portholes are mounted are blue and are VERY difficult to reupholster. You have to remove the side wood cabinets, and that's a pretty big task. Anything is possible of course, but I'd strongly guess this is an original blue and therefore not Drumbeat.

You're right, Drumbeat was Green. Pics to prove it....

View attachment 38129View attachment 38131View attachment 38130

I actually quite like the dark wood and green combo. Has dated better than the eBay boat.
 
Anyhow, JFM, I agree Gludy's troubles started after Drumbeat. I was wondering if this could be Drumbeat but I've a feeling Drumbeat had darker wood?

So True, I bet Gludy wished he kept her too. Still this one cannot be 'Drumbeat' as she was fitted with Volvo's, TAMD122P 610s' I think, but don't quote me on it. I can't remember for sure but she sat on offer for ages in Chichester allegedly, because of them.

Could have been worse there are a few available with Detroits' at twice the price! :ambivalence:

Apologies, Bertramdriver. :o :encouragement:
 
I think it was more down to Tarquin's incompetence that she didn't sell because when Gludy got her back and sold her himself she went very quickly. But we're probably talking 10 years ago now so I could be mistaken. TBH, a stock boat like the SQ56 was never going to meet Gludy's need no matter how reliable and stress free. Anyhow, that's probably not a subject that we want to pick the bones over much more.
 
My fair lady ,used to be berthed in Neptune marine Ipswich when I was there,never went on here ,she was used for chartered ,Viking charter on the quay looked after her I think? Could be wrong on that one :)
,but I don,t think it worked out, as never saw much activity on here, think the charter company had the use of here ,she was always kept in top condition,someone is going to get a bargain, as the owner has dropped loads from the price,seen older fairline 50's up for more.
 
My fair lady ,used to be berthed in Neptune marine Ipswich when I was there,never went on here ,she was used for chartered ,Viking charter on the quay looked after her I think? Could be wrong on that one :)
,but I don,t think it worked out, as never saw much activity on here, think the charter company had the use of here ,she was always kept in top condition,someone is going to get a bargain, as the owner has dropped loads from the price,seen older fairline 50's up for more.

It is "My Fair Lady", interestingly is/was for sale with EBY for £300k but not currently listed on their site....

http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1993/Fairline-Squadron-56-2533245/United-Kingdom#.UrIIFdJdVrE

The words "desperate seller" spring to mind.
 
Ah, I remember the one in Neptune marina from many visits there in 2011. It was to the right as you look out of salthouse harbour hotel. I remember walking by being nosy and thinking what a nice boat she was. Yes, this looks a proper bargain for someone.
 
Top