One has to hand it to Boating World’s Derrick Levy – he’s a master at the art of sourcing the trendiest luxury craft and making them available here in SA. So hold onto your hats, folks, he’s done it again – there’s a fabulous new Fairline Targa 48 Open destined for Cape Town!
It was on a trip to Fairline’s new and magnificent manufacturing facility in Oundle (outside London) that Derrick first clapped eyes on the new Targa 48 Open and he immediately knew that she was “the one”! After all, Europe’s elite clientele were captivated and there was simply no reason why local boaters shouldn’t be as well. This fabulous Sports Cruiser will soon be dominating our waters and will be available to her lucky owner in time for summer. She’ll be adding to the growing number of gorgeous Fairline boats already counted in the African stable, and prospective buyers can opt for complete or shared ownership.
This Targa Open model is the first to be built in Fairline’s highly anticipated 48 ft range, which includes a Squadron 48 and the Targa Gran Turismo.
Love at first sight
Visitors to the London Boat Show earlier this year were blown away by the elegance of this sports cruiser with her sleek new hull design, vast open spaces and stunning interior appointments. Once you look beyond the 48 Open’s sexy, sporty, and sun-loving appeal, you’ll find the exceptional engineering and enterprising innovation we’ve come to expect from the big boat specialist. This is the first Fairline to be intentionally designed to complement the Volvo Penta’s IPS drives and this, together with the new hull design, has resulted in the lightest and most precise onwater handling imaginable. The gentle climb onto plane belies her breathtaking voomah and once the hammers are down the powerful twin 600 Diesel engines (capable of 435 MHP each) can power the 48 to a startling top speed of around 32 knots.
Even at the top-end, having IPS pod drives (with the added joystick control) means easy, relaxed driving and thanks to her V-hull she cuts through any chop with ease. Her ride is smooth, solid and sure footed, keeping all spray and wake very low in the water.
She is highly responsive with exceptional turning and stability – so much so, your passengers will never spill a drop of their Cristal! The fingertip joystick control is also of immense advantage once you return to a crowded marina. The stress of manoeuvring in tight spots is virtually eliminated at a mere flick of the wrist.
The characteristic of appeal
Looking at the sheer size of her, you could be forgiven for thinking she may be a tad heavy, but you’d be mistaken nevertheless; foot for foot she’s probably one of the lightest models around. In a first for Fairline, the manufacturing innovator has made use of a process known as resin-infusion – a new construction technique which considerably reduces the weight of the craft.