Fairline Targa 47 GT: A British Icon Returns for a New Generation

Few names carry as much weight in British sports cruiser history as the Fairline Targa 47. The original ran from 2005 to 2012 and became a byword for capable, performance-led boating. Now the name is back, and rather than simply refreshing the old formula, Fairline has repositioned the Targa 47 GT for a very different kind of buyer — one who wants the performance pedigree but expects a good deal more onboard flexibility to go with it.

Same Name, Different Brief

The first-generation Targa 47 measured 14.78 metres, slept four across two cabins, and topped out at 35 knots — a boat built for straightforward, performance-first weekending. The new Targa 47 GT stays close in size but broadens the mission considerably.

Accommodation has grown to accommodate up to six guests, and the emphasis has shifted from outright speed toward a more rounded cruising experience, backed by a modern glassbridge helm and a genuinely reworked approach to onboard living. This isn’t a nostalgia play; it’s a 47-foot platform rebuilt for how owners actually use their boats today.

Open or GT: Owners Choose Their Configuration

The most significant new idea is the choice between two distinct configurations. The Open variant leans into exposed, day-focused boating, while the GT — the variant making its world debut — introduces a hardtop arrangement built for extended use across a wider range of conditions. It’s a simple but effective way of letting owners tailor the same hull to very different boating styles, whether that’s spirited day trips or longer coastal cruising with weather protection built in.

A More Open, More Livable Interior

Inside, Fairline has prioritised natural light and easy movement between spaces over a strictly formal layout. Large glazing floods the saloon, reinforcing the open, connected feel that’s become a hallmark of the brand’s recent design direction.

The signature layout centres on a two-stateroom, two-head configuration built around a generous midships master cabin aimed squarely at owners planning longer weekends aboard, while broader model data points to further layout options accommodating up to six guests across three cabins — giving buyers real choice depending on how they plan to use the boat.

Performance and Build

Built in GRP on a planing hull, the Targa 47 GT is designed to reach speeds of up to 32 knots, with Volvo Penta engine options supporting a performance profile built around responsive handling and comfortable cruising rather than outright top speed.

The new glassbridge helm setup brings the driving position in line with current digital-control expectations while retaining the hands-on character the Targa range has always been known for.

The Verdict

Reviving a beloved model name is always a risk — get it wrong and you disappoint the faithful, get it right and you win a new generation of buyers along with the old one. The Targa 47 GT threads that needle well, keeping the performance DNA that made the original a favourite while broadening the boat’s appeal considerably. For the mid-size sports cruiser buyer who wants a boat that can do more than one job well, this is a strong new option to watch.

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