Motor Boat & Yachting — November 2017

21

major focus on containing NVH (noise,

vibration and harshness) on the 63 to

create a refi ned, relaxing cruising machine.

To that end, as part of the optional comfort

pack, the two 1,150hp Caterpillar C18

engines sit on fl exible mounts that allow

for up to 37mm of movement to reduce the amount of noise and

vibration transmitted through the hull, and the straight shafts run

through fl exible couplings for the same reason.

A naval architecture giant like Vripack brings a whole host of

engineering details to the table that may seem inconsequential

individually but as a whole, make a noticeable difference. The

24mm bulkheads include a layer of acoustic polymer to help

deaden machinery noise and, as opposed to recycling and chilling

stale air inside the cabins, the 110,000BTU air-conditioning

system draws air in from outside the boat and vents out through

extractors in the bathrooms.

Then there is the hull, which features a double chine system to

both reduce the amount of noise as it passes over the water and

keep spray to a minimum. Close to the waterline, the chine shape

decreases in width as it runs forward, and further up the hull there

is a more prominent sprayrail that is broader at the forward

end and tapers away aft. This is designed to shove spray away

from the hull in big seas as the narrower lower chine deals with

shallower chop and, according to Fairline, allows water to run

off the hull more cleanly, reducing the commotion of water rush.

The millpond conditions we had on test did little to prove

the effectiveness of this design in practice but there is no denying

that the 63 GTO is a smooth and quiet operator. The design

team’s target was to maintain sound levels lower than 75 dB(A)

and they have succeeded. Even at high speeds, conversation

in the saloon is easy and though we didn’t have a huge amount

of time on the water, it became abundantly clear that this would

make an accomplished long-distance companion.

Around 25 knots is its sweet spot, where engines melt into

the background turning at 2,000rpm, and thanks to a 5,000-

litre fuel capacity, the range is over 350 miles. Drop it back

to displacement speeds and you’ll get 1.1mpg in return and

a range just shy of 1,000 miles with a 20% fuel reserve. Even

fl at out at 31 knots on test, we saw returns of 0.31mpg and

a range of 275 miles, even if it is churning through 450 litres

of diesel every hour.

QUICK SPIN

AT A GLANCE

LENGTH 65ft 4in (19.96m)

BEAM 17ft 2in (5.23m)

ENGINES Twin CAT 1,150hp/

MAN 1,200hp

TOP SPEED ON TRIAL 31 knots

PRICE FROM £1.53m in 20% VAT

PRICE AS TESTED

£1,854,444 inc 20% VAT

The foredeck table folds
away so as to not impair
the skipper’s view