Fairey Spearfish 32ft – 2 Berth Sports Cruiser - Ref 171
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Fairey Spearfish 31ft – 2 Berth Sports Cruiser - Ref 171
Year: 1972
Hull No: 18
LOA: 31’ (9.1m)
Beam: 9’ 6" (2.97m)
Draft: 2’ 10" (0.87m)
Displacement: 4.5 tons
Hull & deck: GRP
Builder: Fairey Marine, Hamble, Hants.
ConstructionGlass reinforced plastic Hull (GRP) with internal & cockpit wood trim giving a blend of wood to this classic Fairey design. This Spearfish MK1 has deep top hat sections forming the engine bearers, which run fore & aft so forming the famous Fairey structure. Single integral fuel tank aft of about 100 gallons/450 litres capacity.
The Twin Diesel engines give her a comfortable cruising speed and ride, owing to the Fairey 'Ray Hunt' flaired bow of the Spearfish hull. This hull deep 'V' deadrise of 22 degrees and flaired bow make the Spearfish remarkably dry, seaworthy and soft in the roughest of seas, for which they are famous.
Not many domestic Spearfish were built, owing to their launch with the high 25% Vat rate at the time. But the hull was adapted with a wheelhouse top and used by the Customs, Navy, Police and foreign dependents for coastal patrol duties.
It was this hull sea keeping lines by Navel Architect Charles Currey at Fairey Marine altered from a wooden hull to make the Spearfish mould, which made them a much sought after fast launch.
MachineryTwin Ford Mermaid Marine Diesels rated at 212HP Dover model, original fitment specification for Spearfish, new 1990, hour meters read approximately 740 hours today. The current owner sent them back to Mermaid for servicing & painting seven seasons ago and they clocked only some 100 hours since. This Mermaid Dover engine is clean running and the latest Ford Marine power unit. Cruising speed of around 23/25 knots and top speed of over 30 knots, maybe obtained.
Twin 1.3/8" marine stainless steel shafts and three bladed bronze propellers.
To complete the installation the Morse Controls, cables, fuel systems have been maintained and refitted by the present owner.
Electrics: Four 12 volt batteries under helm position with isolator switches, both new for this season. The domestic switching panel is inside the cabin door. Each engine is separately wired and has a cross over battery link for combined starting on the panel. 24Volt dropper to 12volts as required
Bilge pumps:
• 2 Electric bilge pump.
• 1 hand pump 1.1/2" diameter
Fire safety system fitted to engine bay
Water SystemEngine calorifier not fitted, cold feed to galley and heads
HelmThe dashboard is laid out in Fairey style, with easy sight of individual engine dials. Morse throttle controls in the natural position of the right hand. Rev.counters + hour meters, oil pressure, engine water temperature.
Compass and Navigational aids are positioned within the console.
Steering is via Fairey Rod & Bevel box, which gives the light and easy feel to the boat when under way at speed.
Navigation Equipment • Steering compass
• Kent screen
• GPS Chart Plotter RC435
• Magellan GPS
• Navigation lights
• Kelvin Hughes VHF
• Garmin Fish Finder & Depth model 400C
• Autohelp Trident Depth/Log
Domestic equipmentStainless steel fresh water tank
Galley: Galley stainless steel sink with pressurised water tap. Food/utensil locker(s) Two burner gas cooker.
The heads: Marine Sea toilet, Hand Sink. The Sea Toilet is new for this season
Accommodation/LayoutThe cabin is entered from the cockpit to starboard and down two steps. From forward are two single berths in a U-shaped configuration with a dining table position in between and ample stowage under. The table if fitted can be lowered to form a comfortable double berth with the appropriate infill cushion.
Padded backrests outboard support varnished teak faced fronted lockers. The upholstery is a blue nautical colour, which makes the cabin look superb and blends with the varnished teak. Under the foredeck is a huge day storage area for bedding and clothing.
The main cabin roof has a ventilation hatch. The interior is light and has an airy feel with the full-length windows. The windows have been replaced with new, in a recent refit.
The heads compartment has a teak louvred door on the port side. The manual sea toilet is mounted on a plinth within the compartment, with shelf behind, seacocks are under the plinth. A corner sink with teak facing and tap for the pressurised water. Panels on the wall may be opened in true Fairey style to expose all the wiring for access/servicing. This compartment is beautifully clean, has washable Formica surfaces and full standing room and maybe adapted as a shower if appropriate fitting added.
The galley is on the starboard side and comprises an Optimus s/s two burner cooker. A sink and stowage for food and cooking utensils are kept within a sliding door unit under the side deck or under the hob.
The smart electrical panel(s) are just inside the cabin entrance easily accessible from the helm position. Breaker switches are supplied for all the lighting and other auxiliary services.
The cockpit/helm has excellent visibility through the classic trademark Fairey curved screen. Two curved crew seats in white/blue fabric, with their own covers.
The 24 Volt system batteries are below the helm position with the water tank.
The cockpit & engine hatches are faced with real teak, a recent alteration by the current owner, a true classic addition.
The engines are easily accessible from the central lifting hatches, with the fuel tank in the after compartment. Some storage is available each side of the engines, for extra fenders or warps.
The usual array of deck cleats, flag staff, fenders, warps & lines are included.
Deck Equipment • Stainless steel bow and stern rails
• Stainless steel screen hand rail
• Stainless steel cabin top rails
• Sprayhood & frame
• Stainless steel cabin window frames
• Stainless steel boarding swimming ladder
• Covers
• Anchor & chain etc with deck windlass
Remarks
A lovely example of the famous Fairey Spearfish, which is very original, but has had careful ongoing maintenance from a dedicated yachtsman owner to preserve her in this form.
She has had a recent cabin refit, with new windows, cabin interior & headlining, bulkheads repaired and refaced, all giving her new smart interior but retaining the traditional Fairey atmosphere.
The antifouling build-up over the years has been removed, epoxy gelshield applied and recoated with antifouling, giving a smooth bottom. Spearfish only occasionally come on the market and this example is well worth viewing for the serious buyer. Currently she is afloat on her Hamble mooring but in early September will be put into her winter quarters under a purpose built all over cover, which is part of her inventory.
Price POA
Lying: Hamble
