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THE 10 KEY BOATING STORIES YOU NEED TO READ

1 NEW SQUADRON STEALS THE SHOW

Fairline’s all-new Squadron 58 was the undisputed star of last month’s Southampton Boat Show.

The first of a new generation of flybridge cruisers from the Oundle yard, it wowed visitors with its slick styling and a raft of innovative features.

The most striking of these were the folding platforms on both sides of the cockpit, which not only foster a closer connection with the sea but free up space for extra seating to starboard and a lovely little bar area to port, complete with plug-in stools and guard ropes.

Dropdown windows at the back and side of the aft galley help make the most of this arrangement.

That was just the start of it though. A clever new ‘slide & hide’ extending bathing platform that stows flush with the aft end when not in use moves out and down to add valuable extra space at anchor while keeping berthing fees in check in the marina.

 It also doubles as a submersible tender lift and sea-level terrace.

But it’s the secret BBQ and sink that whirrs out from the transom at the touch of a button that really caught our attention – gimmicky it may be but guests will love it.

Up in the main cockpit, lightweight modular furniture can be arranged to face forward under way or out over the stern to enjoy the views through the glass balustrade.

A folding teak table enables you to dine here in either mode.

We also loved the ‘welcome home’ button by the passerelle that illuminates the boat in a pre-set sequence when you arrive back at night.

The sliding glass doors to the saloon mark another break from the norm. They are offset at an angle of 9 degrees to free up space for the steps to the flybridge and reduce their intrusion into the cockpit.

This play on angles is repeated throughout the interior in the furniture, bulkheads and on the flybridge, eking out valuable extra inches where they’re needed most and avoiding the usual boxy layout.

The main deck saloon features a versatile lounge/dining area opposite a twin helm console. Electric quarter windows on both sides encourage ventilation and ease communication with crew while a huge onepiece double-curvature windshield ensures good vision forward.

Lower-deck accommodation includes a