Party central on the flybridge

The Fairline Squadron 65 is designed to make living aboard a genuine pleasure. Photo / Supplied

Think stylish quick sports boats and, in New Zealand at least, we tend to think small. Our open cruisers are mostly in the 9m to 13m range. Above that, we Kiwis have always favoured flybridge models; these days, almost always with permanent hardtops or, at the very least, an extensive system of clears.

It is, therefore, perhaps surprising that the decidedly open Fairline Squadron 65 hails not from some sunny, tropical clime but rather from the apparently perpetually gloomy British Isles, an area not usually known for its warm, balmy weather.

However, one glance at the Fairline Squadron 65 and one either has to revise their opinion of the UK's climate or surmise that the bulk of this company's output heads overseas.

Yet even "at home" in the UK, this is a vessel finding favour: it recently collected the prestigious Motor Boat of the Year Award 2010 in the Flybridges over 55ft category. In the process, it clearly wowed the judges; those scoring the points obviously impressed by several features which they were not expecting:

"This elegant cruiser dishes up three surprises. First, an amazing VIP cabin that is the equal of the 65's full-beam master cabin.

"Surprise number two is the unprecedented use of large glass windows in the crew cabin, which has transformed the usual kids' hideaway into a genuine fourth cabin, fit for grown-ups.

"And, last but not least, the flybridge feels like it's been stolen from a 70-footer.

"The boat also exhibits Fairline's usual fastidious attention to no-expense-spared detailing, and is packed with luxurious home-away-from-home comforts, designed to make living aboard a genuine pleasure, however long the vacation."

One glance at the Fairline Squadron 65 and it is hard not to be impressed. Here is a vessel that boasts a LOA of over 20m, looks like it can't wait to break its mooring shackles (even on the marina) and is capable of zooming over the water at a rather impressive 33 knots.

While there are not too many 65 footers that can make that claim, there are possibly not that many 65 footers that come with a price tag of upwards of A$3.5 million ($4.3 million).

Despite that hefty ticket price (or perhaps because of it), this is a boat that doesn't take itself too seriously. This is not a vessel destined for long overseas passages, for exploring the world's remotest locales or venturing where others fear to tread.

This is a boat designed to zoom around the Hauraki Gulf or Bay of Islands, drop anchor in a pretty bay and zap back home at the end of the day, or possibly the weekend.

Above all, this is a boat designed to party. Take that wonderfully open flybridge. Common sense probably dictates a bimini of some sort but the 65 looks so much better without it. Indeed, as my colleague Barry Thompson from Pacific Motoryacht notes, if one was lucky enough to live in the appropriate climate, it would be hard to imagine spending the daylight hours anywhere else on board. I suggest the same might apply even after the sun had gone down.

Those responsible for the 65's design and layout have certainly taken this approach. Settees and sun pads are in abundance, there is a bar with fridge, icemaker and electric hotplate and a large table with teak inlay and seating for up to eight.

The poor old skipper or owner is not isolated while at the wheel, either. The dash is centrally mounted, there are twin adjustable bolstered helm chairs, a chaise longue on either side and a full wrap-around settee forward of the helm.

Fairline are by no means the first to overhang their flybridge to create more space on top and protection down below in the cockpit. They may, however, be the first to do so to such an extent. The upper aft deck area is cantilevered over almost the entire cockpit, reinforced with an aluminium space frame to safely carry the weight of the six or even eight people who could be on this area at one time.

As well as the extra space it creates, this huge, open flybridge gives the Fairline Squadron 65 a very fast, sporty appearance. And it's not just appearance either, this is a 65-footer that tops out at 33 knots and is able to plane at just 11, thanks in part to a very slippery 18-degree deadrise.

The power behind the Fairline Squadron 65 is a pair of MAN V10 1100hp engines, running through ZF gearboxes and conventional shafts to drive 5-blade CJR propellers. These propellers have been set in semi-tunnels, enabling the engines to be located further aft, reducing draught and improving efficiency by decreasing the shaft angle.

Of course, running such a large vessel at speeds over 30 knots is going to come at a cost. During sea trials, the 65 consumed 416 litres per hour at maximum rpm of 2360, for a speed of 32 knots. Throttle back slightly, say to 2150 rpm and 28 knots, and consumption reduces to 335 l/h. Drop right back to a "mere" 20 knots and the engines will drink just 240 l/h.

At 1500rpm and 181 l/h, the twin V10 MANs push the Squadron 65 at 17.2 knots with a range of 269 nautical miles (with 205 litres in reserve), which is reasonably efficient, considering the size of the vessel.

The hull is gel coat and fibreglass, hand-laid with unidirectional, biaxial and woven rovings. The deck incorporates polyurethane foam cores with thermal insulation to the forward cabin and upper deck roof spaces. Overall, the 65's displacement (dry ship) is 30 tonnes.

To describe every facet of the Fairline Squadron 65's impressive interior would take far more space that is available here, but there are a few highlights that must be covered.

In order to live up to its reputation for high class interiors, the company, wherever possible, sources all its timber from a single place, allowing it to harmonise the grain patterns throughout the vessel.

In contrast to older style, more traditional interiors, Fairline uses square corners to create a more contemporary look. Fabrics include Scottish leather and New Zealand wool carpet.

While much of the attention the 65 garners is due to its "party central" appearance, Fairline has lavished as much consideration on the accommodation areas.

There are four cabins and five heads/ensuites. The forward stateroom is as luxuriously appointed as the amidships' full-beam master stateroom and almost the same size.

The aft section of the cockpit has a lift-up overhead shower unit, complete with adjustable head. For a full review of the Fairline Squadron 65 visit www.pacificmotoryacht.com.

FAIRLINE SQUADRON 65
* LOA: 20.41m
* Beam: 5.24m
* Draft: 1.37m
* Displacement: 30,000kg
* Max Speed: 33 knots
* Cruise Speed: 23 knots
* Construction: GRP
* Fuel Capacity: 3542 litres
* Water Capacity: 1074 litres
* Price: Approx: $3.7 million

Contact Marine editor Mike Rose on (09) 483 8284; 021 735 015 or email: mrpr@xtra.co.nz.