Fairline builds resin-infused mouldings, and surveyor Chris Olsen, in Motor Boat & Yachting's used boat report on the Squadron 53, finds the construction consistently good. His list for a used Fairline is about finish and fittings, and where water gets in.
Stress cracks along radii
On a handful of Fairlines he has inspected, Olsen has seen minor longitudinal stress cracking along the inner radius of the deck and superstructure, either beside the helm position or along the forward coachroof. He calls it nothing too concerning, but worth a surveyor's check.
Where to look. The inner radii of the deck and superstructure next to the helm and along the forward coachroof.
Dark blue gelcoat
Boats finished in dark blue can suffer UV degradation of the gelcoat. Olsen says Fairlines are better than most, but all blue gelcoats tend to bloom over the years. A professional compound and polish usually brings them back.
Water ingress and interior fixings
Olsen asks for a look for water marks on the interior trims and lacquers around windows, ceiling lights and under deck stanchion bases. Headlining panels tend to drop after some years. The flybridge helm seats can work loose on their mountings because people use them as handholds, and MBY was told the guardrail sections on the Squadron 53 are held in their sockets by small Allen bolts that need checking to stay tight.
Where to look. Stains and lifting lacquer around windows, lights and stanchion bases, headlining panels, the helm seat mountings, and each guardrail section.
Teak and engines
Teak swim platforms tend to be scrubbed heavily, so check there's useful life left. For the engines, Olsen asks for a verified service history including heat exchanger cleaning, and a sea trial with an extended run at maximum revs to confirm temperatures stay in spec.
What to check on a Fairline
| Area | What to look for | Source of the concern |
|---|---|---|
| Deck and superstructure radii | Longitudinal hairline cracks by the helm and forward coachroof | Olsen, Fairlines generally |
| Dark blue gelcoat | UV bloom | Olsen |
| Windows, lights, stanchion bases | Water marks on trims and lacquers | Olsen |
| Headlining | Panels dropping | Olsen |
| Flybridge helm seats and guardrails | Loose mountings and Allen bolts | Olsen; MBY, Squadron 53 |
| Swim platform teak | Remaining thickness | Olsen |
| Engines | Heat exchanger cleaning, temperatures at full power | Olsen |
Writing it up
"Superstructure: a 300 mm longitudinal hairline crack in the gelcoat along the inner radius beside the lower helm, no movement under load. Recommend the area is monitored and the gelcoat repaired at the next refit." Give the length, location and whether the area moves.