Fairline Phantom 40 2009 vs Fairline Squadron 53 2017 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Fairline Phantom 40 2009 or the Fairline Squadron 53 2017?

The Fairline Squadron 53 2017 is the longer of the two at 55,6 feet overall. The Fairline Phantom 40 2009 comes in at 41,1 feet, making it roughly 14,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Fairline Squadron 53 2017 is rated to a maximum of 675 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Fairline Phantom 40 2009 tops out at 365 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Fairline Phantom 40 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Fairline Squadron 53 2017 is certified for 16. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Fairline Squadron 53 2017 measures 169" wide, compared to 156" for the Fairline Phantom 40 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Fairline Phantom 40 2009 or the Fairline Squadron 53 2017?

The Fairline Phantom 40 2009 has the bigger tank at 263 gallons, versus 53 gallons on the Fairline Squadron 53 2017. That 210-gallon difference translates to roughly 630–1050 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Fairline Phantom 40 2009 and Fairline Squadron 53 2017 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fairline Phantom 40 2009 and the Fairline Squadron 53 2017 are built by Fairline. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Fairline Phantom 40 2009 vs Fairline Squadron 53 2017

Fairline

Fairline Phantom 40 2009

2009

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Fairline

Fairline Squadron 53 2017

2017

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Fairline Phantom 40 2009 vs Fairline Squadron 53 2017 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Fairline Phantom 40 2009 vs Fairline Squadron 53 2017 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 675 hp, the Fairline Squadron 53 2017 has a 310-hp advantage over the Fairline Phantom 40 2009's 365-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Fairline Phantom 40 2009 carries 263 gallons versus 53 gallons in the Fairline Squadron 53 2017. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fairline Squadron 53 2017 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Fairline Phantom 40 2009 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fairline Squadron 53 2017 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Fairline Squadron 53 2017 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 55,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fairline Phantom 40 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail41.08 ft

Length overall - Detail55.60 ft

Length - Feet41.08

Length - Feet55.6

Length overall - Meters12.52

Length overall - Meters16.95

Length overall - Inches493

Length overall - Inches667

Beam13.00 ft

Beam14.10 ft

Beam - Meters3.96

Beam - Meters4.3

Beam - Inches156

Beam - Inches169

Draft [max] - Detail3.20 ft

Draft [max] - Detail3.11 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.98

Draft [max] - Meters0.95

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches37

Displacementnot available

Displacement46297.00 lbs

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal263

Fuel tank capacity - Gal53

Fuel tank capacity - Liters995.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters2006.27

Engine makeVolvo

Engine makeVolvo Penta

Engine modelTAMD 63P

Engine modelD11

Horsepower365 hp

Horsepower675 hp

Fuel typeDiesel

Drive typeinboard

Engine 2 Engine MakeVolvo

Engine 2 Engine MakeVolvo Penta

Engine 2 Engine ModelTAMD 63P

Engine 2 Engine ModelD11

Engine 2 Horsepower365 hp

Engine 2 Horsepower675 hp

Engine 2 Fuel TypeDiesel

Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard

Operational Info

Sleeping capacity4

Sleeping capacity8

Cabins2

Cabins4

Head2

Head4

Water capacity118

Water capacity12

Boat typePower

Performance

Maximum speednot available

Maximum speed32

Maximum speed measurenot available

Maximum speed measureknots

Fairline Phantom 40 2009 vs Fairline Squadron 53 2017 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Fairline Phantom 40 2009 or the Fairline Squadron 53 2017?

The Fairline Squadron 53 2017 is the longer of the two at 55,6 feet overall. The Fairline Phantom 40 2009 comes in at 41,1 feet, making it roughly 14,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Fairline Squadron 53 2017 is rated to a maximum of 675 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Fairline Phantom 40 2009 tops out at 365 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Fairline Phantom 40 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Fairline Squadron 53 2017 is certified for 16. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Fairline Squadron 53 2017 measures 169" wide, compared to 156" for the Fairline Phantom 40 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Fairline Phantom 40 2009 or the Fairline Squadron 53 2017?

The Fairline Phantom 40 2009 has the bigger tank at 263 gallons, versus 53 gallons on the Fairline Squadron 53 2017. That 210-gallon difference translates to roughly 630–1050 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Fairline Phantom 40 2009 and Fairline Squadron 53 2017 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Fairline Phantom 40 2009 and the Fairline Squadron 53 2017 are built by Fairline. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Fairline Phantom 40 2009 full specs ← Fairline Squadron 53 2017 full specs