Brief Summary
A sleek new European dayboat from British builder Fairline Yachts has reached our shores – the Fairline F//LINE 33. The deep-V boat has a cabin suitable for overnighting or spending a weekend onboard with a dedicated berth, V-settee and an enclosed head.
Key Features
- Deep-V hull
- Fold-down tailgate-style swim platform
- Twin Volvo Penta D3 diesels and sterndrives
- CE Category C rated with eight-person capacity
- Configurable cockpit sun pad and seating
- Double berth
Specifications
| Length Overall |
32' 9" 9.99 m |
|---|---|
| Beam |
11' 6" 3.5 m |
| Dry Weight |
14,793 lbs. 6,710 kg |
| Draft |
2' 10" 0.87 m (unloaded) |
| Person Capacity | 8 |
| Fuel Capacity |
150 gallons 220 L |
Captain's Report
Fairline F//Line 33: Taking a Sportboat to New Realms
By Capt. Steve
Overview
It’s as if the design team at Fairline sat down at the dinner table and one of them asked the question, “what would a sportboat be like if there were no other sportboats before it?” A question like that removes all predetermined mindsets and cleans the slate. New ideas begin to emerge, new design stylings and a completely new concept begin to take shape. Such is the case with the new F//Line 33. This is a boat that has such out-of-the-box thinking that it redefines what a sportboat can and should be.
This is the first of a new series for Fairline, and if this is a sign of what’s to come, then bring it.
Mission
Fairline designers were tasked to create a new line of sportboats that blends style, performance and functionality without compromising any one of these characteristics. Called the F//Line, these boats can also function as superyacht tenders as they embody so much of the mothership’s luxury and appeal. At 32’9” (9.9 m), the F//Line 33 is the first of the new line and the range of models will not exceed 39’ (12 m). Twin Volvo Penta D3 diesel (220-hp) sterndrives are the standard powerplant, but speed can be improved with optional V8 430-hp gas engines from Volvo or Mercury.
Key Features
- Deep-V hull
- Fold-down tailgate-style swim platform
- Twin Volvo Penta D3 diesels and sterndrives
- CE Category C rated with eight-person capacity
- Configurable cockpit sun pad and seating
- Double berth
Performance
We didn't get to test this boat due to a wiring harness issue that has since been resolved, but Fairline has done extensive testing and reports that with the 430-hp MerCruiser run up to 5088 rpm, the F//Line 33 reached a top speed of 51.1 mph. Best economic cruise came in at 4500 rpm and 34.1 mph. At that speed, the 32.1 gph fuel burn translated into 1.1 mpg and a range of 172 statute miles, all while still holding back a 10% reserve of the boat's 180-gallon (681 L) total fuel capacity.
Handling
I had a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to seeing the F//Line 33 as a muscle boat. The type that swaps the gentle handling for pure muscle, like a classic Vette or GTO. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. This boat is pure fun to drive. She glides through the water like a figure skater glides across the ice. She’s gentle and forgiving while at the same time giving the adrenaline rush of sporty performance and speed. Turns are sharp with no “chine wobble” and she bleeds off a minimal amount of speed when executed. When planing, she runs nearly flat, and for a boat that looks fast when she’s at the dock, that running attitude only enhances her appeal when underway.
There’s also a feeling of superiority when driving this boat. As if your boat is better than the others. But that’s because it is. It’s as if James Bond had a boat, this would be it. And driving it makes you feel like Bond. Just play the theme song in your head to complete the experience.
Power Options
There are four power options for the F//Line 33.
- 2 x Volvo Penta V6-240 gasoline, sterndrive (480-hp)
- 2 x Volvo Penta D3-220 diesel, sterndrive (440-hp)
- 2 x Volvo Penta V8-430 gasoline, sterndrive (860-hp)
- 2 x MerCruiser V8 8.2L 430 gasoline, sterndrive (860-hp)
Boat Inspection
Cockpit
The cockpit is the main focal point when onboard the F//Line 33. It’s basically booth seating to the front and behind a pedestal table. That table can be a fixed GRP, Teak manual hi/lo, or Teak with an electrically-actuated pedestal. When the table is lowered, the two seatbacks can be flipped down to create aft-facing seating or laid flat to create a sunpad.
Just ahead is a standard wetbar with storage, sink and refrigerator. The storage areas can be swapped out for drawer storage and an icemaker. Open space next to the sink can be fitted with an electric induction cooktop, and here’s the kicker… chilled bottle holders to the sides. These look like large beverage holders but they’re large enough to hold the 750 mL size wine bottles, and they’re refrigerated. Literally… very cool. Woe betide the owner that heads out for a day on the hook… and forgets the cork puller.
The beauty of all of this is that there is walk space around all seating and the wetbar. There are no dead ends anywhere, making the functionality that much more enjoyable. Seriously, who wants to get up from their seat just to let the person next to you get out? Decking, including the side decks, can be either non-skid textured fiberglass, teak or rubberized Esthec flooring.
As for protection, the deck can be left open to the sun or a Bimini can be added in either a manual or hydraulic version. Further, an extended Bimini can be added to extend out to the aft platform. A similar canopy can be added to the bow.
Now the F//Line 33 comes standard with four courtesy lights and lighting around the two seats and the wetbar. But owners would be remiss if they didn’t add the mood lighting option. It utilizes LED rope lights to enhance the cockpit, platform, side decks, and it even adds custom F//Line highlights to the bow trim. Seriously, get it. And add the underwater lights too.
Stern
In the standard configuration, the platform is open completely behind the aft seat. No transom. Add in the hydraulic platform and rather than simply move up and down like every other one we’ve seen, this one opens from the vertical to the horizontal. So when it’s closed, there’s a transom closing off the stern. When opened, there’s walk space to both sides of the aft seat, right out onto the platform. Plus, it’s a killer feature that adds significantly to the WOW factor that this boat already has.
Helm
The helm is slightly offset to starboard and includes a sporty wheel that had touch controls integrated into it. A 7” (17.78 cm) touchscreen is fitted as standard with a 12” (30.48 cm) being optional. Joystick piloting with autopilot is another option. An inductive phone charger is available, and a fusion stereo. Forward is a frameless windscreen. And there are two choices for helm seating… either a single bench or two buckets seats.
Bow
The bow is accessed from narrow side decks and includes a large sunpad. We’d like to see the aft section be adjustable into a chaise position. Interestingly, the bow rails are optional. Without them, the boat has a sleeker and more streamlined look. With them, it looks more traditional. If the rails are chosen, there’s a further option to have them open in front, to facilitate bow in boarding, or fully closed. If the bow is to be used while the F//Line 33 is underway, then the bow rails are a must, as are the optional sunpad grab rails.
Below Decks
Down below, there’s a wraparound sofa surrounding a table on a pedestal table that can be fixed, manually hi/lo or electrically actuated hi/lo. A mirror is mounted to the forward bulkhead and not only does this make the already large area look larger, but the mirror can also double as a TV. Let’s be clear on that statement. The TV doesn’t replace the mirror, the mirror is the TV.
Options
Options are vast for this boat, which means that an owner can dial in the end result to match specific tastes. There is good news regarding this. Fairline has developed an amazing configurator that helps with the process and it’s groundbreaking. While others just have checkboxes to pick and choose what is desired, Fairline’s version has a rendering of the boat right next to the selections. When any or all of the selections are checked, it appears in the rendering, even down to color choices. Once the selection process is complete, the request is sent to the nearest dealer, and a video of the boat with all the chosen options is sent to the buyer. This way, a virtual tour of the whole boat, right down to the silverware and plates, is shown as a finished product.
It’s an amazing way to get as close to being onboard a new boat as possible before the build process starts. Fairline should be applauded for creating this method and if it’s smart, it should be submitted for an innovation award.
Highlights of the options include….
- Hydraulic fold-down platform: $28,975
- Hull Color: $7,225
- Teak Cockpit Floor: $17,395
- Teak Side Decks: $6,775
- Bucket Helm Seats: $2,525
- Exterior Fabric: $1,565
- Closed Front Handrail: $3,225
- Sunbed Grab Rails: $1,255
- Teak / Electric Pedestal Cockpit Table: $8,335
- 12" touchscreen: $8,350
- Joystick & Autopilot: $31,325
- Wireless Phone Charger: $315
- An additional two 8" waterproof speakers, a subwoofer and amplifier: $3,325
- Drawer Storage: $2,325
- Wine Coolers: $3,525
- Ice Maker & Induction Hob: $3,475
- Extended Bimini: $12,495
- Cockpit Sky Canopy: $7,180
- Foredeck Sky Canopy: $6,550
- Mood Lighting: $5,185
- Underwater Lights (Dual Blue / White): $3,740
- 42ltr Fridge to Lower Lobby: $1,050
- Generator Westerbeke 3.5kW: $19,595
- Self-Contained Air Conditioning 16,000BTU: $10,495
- Anchor Chain in Stainless-steel: $985
- Deck Wash Outlet at Foredeck: $660
- Bow Thruster: $7,995
- Automatic Identification System: $1,515
- Overhead Transom Shower: $4,150
- F//LINE Edition SEABOB (no, we’re not kidding): $18,895
- Bow Camera: $1,215
- Cabin Mood Lighting: $8,270
- Interior Wood Walnut Satin: $8,795
- Saloon Settee Seely Leather with Detailing: $1,565
- Saloon Flooring Oak Dove Grey (Wood): $4,865
- High/low electric pedestal for bed conversion: $7,700
- Television (hidden behind the mirror) & audio system: $5,995
- Stainless Steel Cutlery Set: $1,675
- White Cotton Percale bedding with Piping Detail: $1,535
In its standard configuration, the F//Line 33 comes in at $462,395 when powered with the MerCruiser V8. Fully loaded up with options and she’ll tip the scales at $734,975.
Observations
There’s no doubt that this is a premium level head-turner. Fairline wanted to make a line of boat that was unlike anything it had done before and didn’t look like everyone else’s boat either. The F//Line 33 is the result and it’s a stunning one. It looks equally at home in front of an Italian villa or speeding past the Miami skyline. It’s one of those boats that has an appeal as a yacht tender but serves so well as a stand-alone boat.
Fairline has completely overhauled its construction methods that allow for faster builds to meet the already impressive demand for the F//Line 33. Rather than mating the deck and hull early on in the production cycle, the hull is kept as a standalone much longer, almost to the point of installing carpeting. In this manner, more people can work on the two components at one time, and in this way, Fairline can crank out one F//Line 33 per week.