FAIRLIE 55
EMILY HARRIS
On deck all lines are taken back to the cockpit openly along the coachroof, where clutches hold halyards and reefing lines beside Anderson winches (one electric for the main halyard) on the coachroof. The headsail furler is in way of the cockpit coaming, within fairly easy reach of the helmsman. Deck cleats for mooring lines are Clyde pattern; all seven winches are Anderson with a second electric winch for the mainsheet aft of the cockpit. There is also plenty of space on the aft deck, for visitors to be out of the way when racing or just as an inviting space from the passerelle in port... OK we can call it a gangplank.
UNDER POWER
The fin and bulb keel of the 55 ensures that manoeuvring in port is a fairly straightforward affair. The Volvo 55 with saildrive and folding propeller grips the water, stopping the 10-ton boat within her length at three knots, and she can pretty much be put where you want using a combination of prop walk and windage on the bows. The engine runs quiet, especially when below. And down below the 55 is pleasant and airy with good light from her gull-wing hatch just aft of the mast. There is a good 6ft (1.8m) of headroom – more under the heavily cambered coachroof. Accommodation is laid out in a central saloon with two double cabins – one in the forepeak and one aft – extending under the starboard side of the cockpit. A shower/heads is sited forward in way of the mast, while a separate heads with sink is
CLASSIC BOAT MACRH 2012 47
Above: One tree was used for the timber. The joinery is superlative. Right, from top: Locker detail; deck prism to bring light into the forepeak; Clyde cleat – there are six of these on deck
DAN HOUSTON
DAN HOUSTON
EMILY HARRIS
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