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Advice on 60 foot sedan bridges

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Crab, Feb 9, 2007.

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  1. Crab

    Crab New Member

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    Hello everyone. I am looking at buying a new 60 foot sedan bridge style boat and am looking some feedback.

    I am moving up from a 44 express cruiser and the Admiral and I have decided to go with a sedan bridge boat. The express cruiser is nice and sporty but not as comfortable for overnight stays on the boat. We boat on a large lake in the Midwest and will be staying the weekend on the boat. We have at least 2 staterooms with double+ sized beds. We can stuff the kids in the extra bunks! :-0

    We love the Sunseeker Manhattan 60 although I have not sea trialed it yet. Also looking at the Fairline Squadron 58 and the Sea Ray 58 Sedan Bridge just because - although I am not impressed with the styling on the Sea Ray and everyone and their dog has a SR on our lake. I prefer the European styling of the Sunseeker and Fairline.

    We are headed to the Miami boat show in February and want to hear if anyone has ideas on similar boats we should take a look at. We have a Sunseeker dealer on our lake but they do not have a 60 to look at as you can imagine which is why we are going to Miami. There is a lot to look at

    I am interested to know the general thoughts on Fairline versus Sunseeker. I have heard from several people that Sunseekers are not as well built as they appear. We are not traveling rough seas but at the same time if I am going to drop $2 million+ on a boat, I want quality inside and out.

    Thanks.
  2. SeaEric

    SeaEric YF Historian

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    Like it or not, Sea Ray does enjoy a large share of the market. The product does well on the resale market and has excellent brand loyalty among it's owners. It is easy to see why they are so popular.

    The other boat I would suggest, that you did not mention but perhaps may consider, would be the Viking Sport Cruiser. They seem to compare favorably.
  3. denzil

    denzil New Member

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    The fairline is a much better boat imo. From design quality, Hull quality, Finishing and overall look. The Fairline looks well built. You can see that without even getting as far as boarding. The sunseeker will probably save you a few pennies but you just aren't getting top notch gear. Even down to the handrails and cleats on a Fairline being far more substantial.
    I've driven many Squadrons and can vouch for their capabilities, ride quality and overall design. Currently driving a 74.
    The sunseeker is great if you want to look a bit flasher but i liken it to a mass produced sports car versus a top end luxury vehicle.
    If you want any info on any Fairlines i'd be happy to help.
  4. KCook

    KCook Senior Member

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    Welcome to Yacht Forums Crab. If slightly more conservative styles are Ok, then it's easy to expand on that list. See yachts such as Alden, Azimut, Horizon, Marquis, Neptunus, and Ocean Alexander.

    Kelly Cook
  5. Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    Ms. Crab:

    Great name, BTW.

    When you get onboard your potential dream boat at the Miami Show, head straight for your stateroom.
    Turn off the stereo, tell the rabble outside to just, please, SHUT UP, and listen...

    If you hear the slap-slap of wavelets on the bow chines noticeably, know full well that it will take a lonnnng time to get used to this prior to the arrival of the Sandman.

    Good luck performing your due diligence!
  6. TripleTreasures

    TripleTreasures New Member

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    You may want to look at the Ferretti line as well. I recently traded up from a Fairline 52 Targa to a Ferretti 68. After quite a bit of research I narrowed our selection down to the Fairline 68 and Ferretti. While the Fairline product is terrific and backed by committed & knowledgable management, the Ferretti came closer to meeting all my needs.
    Don't forget to consider the dealer and service requirements!
    Happy hunting..
    Tripletreasures
  7. nilo

    nilo Senior Member

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    ferretti vs fairline

    I have owned two Ferretti boats since '98, a 53 and a 68 and I have cruised with Fairlines as well. Fairline a very good build boat, technically well thought out. Definitely a better choice than Sunseeker. Compared to Fairline, Ferretti has a lower angle of attack and planes more easily. Ferretti is build more for summer, the opening part on the aft deck/salon door converges the two areas into one sociable area. Better flybridge layout on the Ferretti 68. There is more light in the boat due to larger window area in the salon.
  8. YachtForum

    YachtForum Publisher/Admin

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  9. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    I just bought a new Fairline Phantom 48. I studied most of the makes over the last half year. From what I have heard from many boat owners and users in our area and from all the info. I have gathered, Fairline is one of the best. I would vote for the Squadron 58. She is a superb boat in all aspects.
  10. Crab

    Crab New Member

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    Thanks for the link CCamper. I will take a look at the Neptunus. The boat looks nice.

    I love the Fairline boats. Problem is that there is not a Fairline dealer near Texas. I think the closest is Miami, but I love their boats. I know service is important and I don't want to put myself in a situation where I can't get good service. The Fairline Florida guys say that I can get local people to work on the boat with no problem, which I somewhat believe but I have never boat a boat from a dealer so far away.

    Marine Max has a huge presence here so Ferretti would be a good option.

    I really like the Sunseeker design and layout, but finding people that have positive feedback on their boats is hard to find whereas everyone I have talked to that has owned/managed a Fairline won't shut up about how good of boats they are! :)

    After further investigation on the Sea Ray 58, I have crossed it off my list of candidates. I was in a new 52 sistership this weekend and the dark interiors are ugly. Looks like a suburban McMansion interior stuff in a boat. I want something more refined and clean lined that you would find in the European boats.
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2007
  11. KCook

    KCook Senior Member

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    With some very expensive yacht names the builder will simply fly his tech to you when your boat needs attention. But I don't know which of these builders might provide that, or whether there would be some charge for this. Worth asking about however.

    Kelly
  12. When you get to the Miami International Boat Show make sure you also get to the Yacht and Brokerage Show on Miami Beach at the same time. The International Show has new boats only, but at the Brokerage Show you can look at some of the boats that interest you that may be a few years old and see how they have aged. There are also lots of new boats at the Brokerage show as the space at the International Show is limited.
    Plan to spend a few days as these shows are really big, but there are free shuttle buses between the locations -so only pay for parking once.
    Tucker Fallon Yacht Broker
  13. TripleTreasures

    TripleTreasures New Member

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    Marine Max - Ferretti

    Crab,

    Here's the right Marine Max guy to speak to in Miami:

    Bob Fritsky
    Director of Sales/
    Ferretti Group Brands
    Marinemax
    750 South Federal Highway
    Pompano Beach, Florida 33062
    Office 954-618-0440
    Fax 954-315-8660

    Please let him know the guy from CT gave you his contact info and he will treat you well.

    Good luck!

    Triple Treasures
  14. goplay

    goplay Senior Member

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    In looking at my next boat I toured a number of factories including Fairline. I also seatrialed a Fairline 62 Targa during my visit.

    I really liked the way the Fairline handled (it felt smaller than it was) and the seakeeping features of the boat. I would assume those seakeeping features are similar across the brand.

    What I didn't like, and this is all personal, was the interior design of the boat. It felt dated to me, and it would only get worse with time. Secondly, the factory was really quite a mess. Again, this might not mean anything, but the emphasis Fairline places on handbuilt is not so much a feature but a fact of where the company is with implementing technology.

    In summary, I do think they make a good quality boat that you won't go wrong with, except potentially on re-sale. Kind of like buying a "Tudor" style house in Florida!
  15. denzil

    denzil New Member

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    Fairline have recently updated their interiors and they are now much more open plan and modern looking. The cherry effect is still available but there is now much more choice. They now offer a much more bespoke service than in the past.
    With regard to the factory i'm very surprised indeed as i've had many visits there and it's always been spotless.
  16. goplay

    goplay Senior Member

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    Actually that was some of the feedback I gave to the head of products and eventually the CEO: given Fairline's handbuilt capability, it should really feature it by enabling far greater customization of the finishing.

    Regarding the factory, I guess it all depends on what other factories you have been to. "Mess" might have been too harsh but it wasn't anywhere near spotless like other factories I have seen. I was suprised to see workers doing the fiberglass work without any breathing protection. I got a headache just walking through that area.
  17. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    Fairline now provide a second choice of interior for their boats. It's a very modern style and the wood finish is matte white oak. IMO it looks fantastic and the quality is great.
    These are some interior pictures of my new 2007 Fairline Phantom 48.

    Attached Files:

  18. el_CAPeeTAN06

    el_CAPeeTAN06 New Member

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    nice:cool:
    im envious
  19. T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    Thank you Capeetan. At your disposal, anytime ;). Just hop over.
  20. goplay

    goplay Senior Member

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    Wow, that is a good look for the new Fairline!

    At the Miami Show I was told that they are totally re-designing the Targa 62, including adding a few feet to it.