Captain's Report

A Chip Off the Old…

With an extra-large flybridge, wide side decks and a spacious cockpit, the Squadron 42 maintains the yachting philosophy of her larger sisters. Two transom gates, one on either side of a reversible bench seat, make for easy passage onto the swim platform, where Fairline engineers have created an optional cantilevered launch and retrieval system for the tender. (A jet-drive RIB will be ideal here; the company recommends a Williams 285.) We haven't seen this system ourselves yet, but given Fairline's reputation for finicky design and engineering, we're confident it will function as advertised. But it's an option, so folks who don't need a tender can choose to keep a conventional swim platform.

She's Built Tough

Since day one, Fairline has been known for building rugged boats and the Squadron 42 continues the practice, from the outside in: Two layers of gelcoat are brushed, not sprayed, into the mold before the first layer of fiberglass is laminated. Extra gelcoat means a more durable finish, and one that's easier to repair when the inevitable dings and scratches appear. After layup is complete, Fairline also gelcoats the inside of the hull – the smooth finish is easier to clean, and resists water absorption in the bilges.

The laminate proper is alternate layers of hand-laid unidirectional fabric and woven roving, using isophthalic resin to protect against osmosis, important in areas where the boat will stay overboard all year. Polyurethane foam coring stiffens the deck; integrally molded engine stringers support the bottom. A liner is bonded to the hull, then the hull and deck are both bolted and bonded to create a strong almost-monocoque structure. Bulkheads are carefully hand-fitted, then fiberglassed into place. The result is a boat with a minimum of squeaks and rattles, and one that will be as happy in the boisterous waters of the North Sea as in the balmy Mediterranean.

Accommodations

To keep the saloon open and airy, Fairline designers utilized large cabin windows and an open-plan galley – it's "down," on the lower deck, but situated near the stairway from above and separated from the saloon by only a glass partition. The galley has all the equipment required aboard a boat of this type, but can be fitted out with options to make it even more chef-friendly.

Power

There's nothing fancy about the Squadron 42's powerplant – no pods, but conventional straight-shaft diesels. Power options are twin Volvo-Penta D6 EVC Shaft diesels, tuned to either 370- or 435-hp, or twin Caterpillar C7 ACERTS, 460-hp each. Fairline predicts speeds from 28 to 31 knots, depending on power.Here's something unusual: While each Squadron is a-building, its engines are sitting on their rubber mounts on the shop floor. This "breaks in" the mounts, compressing them before the engines are installed, and makes realignment after a few hours of operation unnecessary. If you've ever bought a boat that started vibrating from shaft misalignment even before the new-boat smell was gone, you'll appreciate this touch.

Recommendation

We don't have pricing info on this boat yet, but based on previous Fairlines we predict it will be at the high end, but not the highest end of boats in its class. Quality costs money – there's no way around it. But in the case of Fairline you also get what you pay for. Should you be looking for a first-rate flybridge cruiser in this size range, you ought to check out the new Squadron 42. There are a lot of fine boats in this segment of the market, though, so we think you should look at many of them before making a choice. It will also give you an excuse to visit lots of boat shows.

Standard and Optional Features