FAIRLINE TARGA 40
LOA: 39ft 3in (11.99m) BEAM: 13ft 0in (3.97m) ENGINES: Twin Volvo Penta D6 340-380hp TOP SPEED: 32-36 knots PRICE: From £550,000 inc VAT CONTACT: www.fairline.com
After more than a decade, the Princess V40 has been knocked off its throne, and the all-new Fairline Targa 40 didn’t just steal its crown at Düsseldorf, it tore it off, swung it around and blew a raspberry in Plymouth’s general direction before planting it firmly on its own head.
The key to its appeal is a design that looks modern and sporty without scaring the horses or compromising on space. Quite the opposite, thanks to the extra height and beam of the hull, it packs in way more space than its svelte exterior suggests. That starts at the stern with a neat tender garage under the port-side seating that takes a fully inflated 2.3m (or partially deflated 2.7m) Zodiac. Tick the £4,000 tender option and you’ll also get a built-in compressor and charging point for the Torqeedo motor.
Rear seats that transform into aft-facing sunbeds by folding the backrest forward are as quick, effective and robust as you’d hope, while the cockpit table that folds under the seating when not required is as brilliant as ever. We’re not so sure about the value of the optional hydraulic bathing platform, given that it’s only a couple of feet wide and doesn’t carry the tender, but the drop-down cockpit balcony with integrated storage for the safety rails and wraparound LED lighting is a must-have, even at £30,000. Steps lead up from here to the foredeck, featuring another vast sunbed with adjustable headrests and a cosy seat at the bow.
A huge fabric sunroof and sliding windows on both sides of the hardtop do a great job of making it feel as open as possible, while a wet bar keeps guests fed and watered. The helm looks bang on too, although the seats could do with extra adjustment to increase kneeroom when seated.
Below decks, there’s a good-sized lower saloon with a C-shaped dinette that converts to an extra double, a decent little galley and a spacious forward owner’s suite with ensuite access to the shared bathroom. The aft guest cabin is a good size too and has twin beds, which slide together to make a double.
The sumptuous detailing features the same glossy woodwork, classy fittings, subtle lighting and clever storage solutions found on larger Fairlines, albeit at a cost. The one on show came to £834,195 ex VAT, thanks to £280,000 worth of extras, but you should be able to spec up a good one for around £699,000 ex VAT.
TARGA 41
LOA: 45ft 1in (13.75m) BEAM: 13ft 1in (4.0m) ENGINES: Twin Volvo D6 or IPS 400-480hp TOP SPEED: 37-42 knots PRICE: from £694,200 ex VAT CONTACT: www.targa.fi
All-new Targas come around roughly as often as Halley’s Comet, so the fact they managed to keep this one secret until a couple of days before the Düsseldorf show opened was something of a miracle. Then again, to the casual onlooker, the new 41 looks much like every other Targa, at least until you spot the flush-fit frameless glazing and, for the first time ever, hull windows amidships. Admittedly, they are barely tall enough to post a letter through but they do provide some much-needed light, views and fresh air to the surprisingly
