Motor Boat & Yachting – May 2018

FINDME A USED...

The Squadron 52 is a great example

of the confidence Fairline portrayed

at the turn of the century. Rather than

another three-cabin cruiser, Fairline

set out to produce a mini superyacht

aimed at luxury and comfort rather

than maximising sleeping space.

The result was an intriguing, offbeat

alternative to the mainstream.

INTERIOR

The best thing is two huge cabins

rather than three, almost unheard of

for a boat in this sector. There’s no

obvious master cabin but both are

equally spacious and luxurious.

Ensuites include separate shower

stalls and even bidets – rare on

anything under 80ft! On the main

deck, the helmsman is surrounded

by a console that wouldn’t look out of

place on the Starship Enterprise, and

the saloon and dinette are a feast of

gentle curves, highly lacquered cherry

and cream vinyl and carpet. You’ll find

a galley tucked away low down on the

port side and even a small utility room

off it complete with washing machine.

EXTERIOR

The curved and fluted aft-side sections

of the superstructure look fantastic

and ease access to the side decks.

The flybridge gets a vertical mast-

style radar support rather than the

ubiquitous arch, and the stanchions

supporting the deck rails are similarly

superyacht vertical rather than canted

forward. Add the imperiously aircraft-

styled sweep of curved glass around

the helm and you end up with a boat

that exudes class and style and

stands the test of time.

PERFORMANCE

Caterpillar 3196TAs were an option

but most got twin Volvo Pentas, earlier

boats the TAMD122s at 610hp a side,

later ones the electronically controlled

D12s at 675hp each. All these options

should be achieving circa-30 knots,

the D12 with a little more economy.

SEAKEEPING

Classic Olesinski hull design combines

with classic shaftdrive layout to create

reassuring heavy-weather handling

with steady directional stability.

DATA FILE

2000 £249,950

Length 53ft 3in (16.2m)

Beam 15ft 3in (4.6m)

Draught 3ft 8in (1.1m)

Displacement 18.8 tonnes

Fuel capacity

400 gallons (1,817 litres)

Engines Twin Volvo Penta

D12-675 675hp diesel

FOR SALE Burton Waters.

Web: http://www.burtonwaters.co.uk

Fairline Squadron 52

Terrifi c cabins, but just

two (plus the crew cabin)

Compact superyacht

+++++

RATING

The saloon is a

feast of curves

and cherry wood

The lower helm looks

like a fl ight deck

Both cabins are

roughly equal in

size and status

Curved superstructure

sides make access

forward a doddle