Fairline Targa 40: New British sportscruiser heading to Boot Dusseldorf 2024

The new Fairline Targa 40 is a much more substantial boat than the previous best-selling Targa 38 – not just 3ft 6in longer but also 20% more voluminous, thanks to taller topsides and a wider beam that extends further towards an upright bow.

It looks like the extra space has been put to good use too. Fairline’s lead designer, Christian Gott, who will be in attendance on the Düsseldorf show stand, has created a versatile new cockpit layout and a lower deck with 6ft 6in of headroom, while maintaining (and arguably even upgrading) the sporty looks that were such a major part of the T38’s appeal.

This sleek hard top sportscruiser shares a number of design features with both the smaller F//Line 33 and the all-new Fairline Phantom 65 as well as a few tricks of its own.

They include a “power-down beach club balcony” that extends the deck space on the starboard side, as well as a hardtop with electric canvas sunroof that enables you to open up the entire main deck.

Elsewhere, the clever aft seats that form part of the sociable dining area can be converted into sunbeds with the aid of hinged backrests, and you can also rig the starboard bench to face outboard, which makes plenty of sense when the terrace is deployed.

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In the forward part of the cockpit, a raised L-shaped chaise longue provides a place to recline, opposite a pair of starboard helm seats. The fact that there are no steps to interrupt the flow from the aft sunbeds to the companionway, makes it easier to move around this boat too.

And if you want a change of scene, there are more sunpads on the foredeck, plus a low-level forepeak sofa with recessed footwell for yet more lounging options. Down below, the size of the central saloon might come as a surprise. It provides a galley to port and a booth sofa to starboard.

There are also two cabins – a forward owner’s cabin with long hull windows and ensuite access to the shared bathroom, plus a twin mid-cabin beneath the cockpit that can be converted into a double.

The subtly angled forward bulkhead is another example of intelligent design, creating extra volume both in the port shower room and in the forward cabin’s big hanging locker.

Fairline Targa 40 specifications

LOA: 39ft 3in (11.99m)
BEAM: 13ft 0in (3.97m)
ENGINES: Twin Volvo Penta D6-340 / 380s
TOP SPEED: 32-36 knots
PRICE: Available upon application