In a world full of delightful surprises, it's remarkable to find a British boatbuilder, nestled inland and far from the sea, spearheading the design of Mediterranean-style sports yachts. Fairline's Targa brand has long been at the forefront of the sportscruiser scene, offering high-quality, easily manageable performance models that often serve as an entry point into yacht ownership.
We recently had the opportunity to explore the latest entry-level model, the 45 Open version. While an enclosed deck salon GT model is also available, we wanted to see how this current Targa generation measures up.
Fairline Targa 45 Open Key Facts
- LOA 14.2m
- Model Year 2021
- Cabins 2
- Max Speed 32 knots
- Status In Production
- Yacht Type Sportsboat
- Use Type Weekending
The moment you step aboard the Targa 45 Open, you're immediately struck by the air of confidence and quality that permeates every inch. While sports yachts have evolved to match the luxury and spaciousness of flybridges, some open models can lack finesse in their design. Not so with the Targa. Every detail has been refined from its sharply designed stern adorned with graphite and teak, proudly displaying the Targa insignia, to the inviting cockpit featuring sleek sports-luxe upholstery and teak accents.
Adding to the performance-inspired ambiance is blue mood lighting and the iconic Targa arcs of glass, while a massive sunroof bathes the deck in natural light, creating an open and inviting atmosphere.
The design balance extends below decks, where every element feels well-planned. Every space exudes comfort and style from the well-positioned sun pad, aft lounge, and forward cockpit seating on deck to the impeccably appointed cabins below. Rich cabinetry and smart upholstery adorn the interiors, creating an inviting atmosphere in the two cabins and lower lounge, making them spaces you'll want to spend time in.
Sports yachts are synonymous with long, exhilarating days on the water, yet they also cater to weekend getaways or extended stays. What's more, the quality and caliber of a yacht can often be told by what lies below decks.
The lower lounge of the Targa 45 serves as a cozy retreat, offering a departure from the luxurious sports car ambiance of the cockpit. Here, Fairline embraces a warmer and more intimate atmosphere, accentuated by rich cabinetry.
Despite its secluded feel, skylights and hull windows ensure ample natural light and ventilation, enhancing the galley's comfort. Positioned amidships, the owner's cabin boasts generous headroom with a lounge area, ensuite facilities, and the same interior accents. The forward guest cabin, with ensuite access, offers versatility with optional scissor berths, allowing for conversion between double and twin berths.
Fairline Targas are unmistakably driver's boats, something that becomes abundantly clear when you take your place at the helm console and grasp the sports steering wheel. The stitched helm seats also provide additional support, ensuring a comfortable and controlled ride.
Setting itself apart from many competitors, Fairline has prioritized the inclusion of twin helm seats and raised seating to port, enhancing both practicality and the shared experience at sea. With the sunroof open, wind protection at the helm is superb, yet there's still the exhilarating option to stand up and fully embrace the thrill of sports boating with the wind in your hair.
It's hard to come across a cockpit as well-crafted and balanced as the one on the Fairline Targa. The design is sharply styled and detailed, offering a perfect blend of functionality and luxury. Divided between the forward seating area near the helm and the aft lounge with a sun pad, the cockpit delivers impressive style and quality throughout.
Positioned beneath the sunroof, the forward seats provide a prime vantage point for friends and family to relish the exhilarating 35-knot performance. The sleek graphite arcs of the side screens not only add to the aesthetics but also offer excellent panoramic views. Towards the aft, the seating area and teak table convert into a sun pad, while the strategically positioned wet bar and grill cater to the needs of guests, completing the outdoor entertainment experience.
Positioned above the tender garage, the sunpad serves as a welcoming spot upon boarding the Fairline Targa. With a hydraulic swim platform below, launching and retrieving the tender or enjoying a refreshing swim off the back of the yacht is easily facilitated.
Our Verdict
The fact that the entry-level Targa now stretches to 14m (45ft) underscores the evolution of the market. For many, this size constitutes a substantial vessel, and indeed, it is. However, the Targa 45 Open transcends the norms of an entry-level model. Its sleek, sophisticated design and sport-luxury aesthetic place it firmly in the realm of prestigious yachts, highlighted by the expansive owner's suite spanning the full beam. Yet, it's also a sportsboat ripe for enjoyment, with its open design liberating you from the confines typically associated with luxury vessels. Of course, for those inclined towards a more enclosed luxury experience, the GT model offers cockpit doors and a serene, sheltered deck salon. Nonetheless, our preference leans towards the open configuration.
Reasons to Buy
- Perfect mix of performance, style and luxury
- 35-knot top speed
- Dayboating, weekendng or longer cruises
- Easy for two people to handle
- Four guests in two ensuite cabins
Things to Consider
- Open design requires canopies
- GT model may suit colder climates
Looking to own a Fairline Targa 45 Open? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used Fairline Targa 45 Open Boats for sale worldwide. You can also order a new Fairline Targa 45 Open, customized to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used boats for sale and find your perfect boat today!
Rivals to Consider
The 45ft (14m) sports yacht market is dominated by hardtop designs, broadly split between open-backed models, often with a sportier profile, or deck salon models with cockpit doors and a sometimes squarer hardtop design.
Deck salons are in the ascendancy, with most builders offering one or the offer. Fairline offers both, with the 45GT creating a proper deck salon and cockpit doors without altering the sleek profile. The 45GT also matches the Open on performance and has the same below decks layout, adding the option of a third bunked cabin.
Sessa does offer a design choice with its open C44 and the deck salon C47. The sleek sporty 13.8m C44 is a slightly smaller yacht than the Fairline but offers a very similar overall layout, with a choice of seating layouts in the cockpit, lower salon, a full-beam Owner’s cabin and forward guest. The C47 matches the Targa 45 on size but has a different profile with a taller hardtop housing a galley aft salon. Things are different below decks too with a forward Owner’s cabin and two guest cabins amidships.
The Cruisers Cantius 46 is another deck salon model with a galley aft and facing sofas creating a luxury cruiser style, lots of rich cabinetry adding to that feel. Below decks the two cabin layout has the Owner amidships with a lower salon and galley.
A close match to the Targa 45 Open on paper, the Azimut Atlantis 45 has that same great open feel in the cockpit. The cool exterior style is matched to a basic cockpit clearly designed for fun, saltwater-infused days on the water with removable cushions over GRP bases. Below decks, the Owner’s cabin lies forward with a family-style cabin amidships with three berths.
Considering a new boat? Explore Fairline's entire current range to find the model that best suits your needs, and compare it with alternatives from competitors to ensure you make the perfect choice.
Specifications
- Builder Fairline
- Range Targa
- Model Targa 45 Open
- Length Overall 14.2m
- Beam 4.32m
- Hull GRP
- Cabins 2
- Berths 4
- Yacht Type (Primary) Sportsboat
- Use Type (Primary) Weekending
- Cruising Speed
- Max Speed
- Fuel Capacity 1,300 Litres
- Fresh Water Capacity 438 Litres
- Engine Model 2x Volvo Penta IPS600
- Engine economic speed 6.9 knots
- Engine max range (speed type) 1196 (nm)
Fairline Targa 45 Open Layout
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Main Deck
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![Main Deck Fairline Targa 45 Open]()
The Open cockpit has two seating areas, a wetbar and sunpad, the hardtop design encloses most of the cockpit, a massive sunroof opening it up.
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Lower Deck
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Optional scissor berth forward and double berth aft
![Lower Deck Fairline Targa 45 Open]()
Options are available but the full-beam Owner's cabin amidship and versatile scissor berth forward cabin makes plenty of sense. The lower salon is a usefully calm, refined escape from the cockpit.
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