Three boats, three presenters, and one stretch of open water - time for a drag race. Jack Haines from YachtBuyer brought the firepower with the F//Line 33. Nick Burnham, better known as Aquaholic, took the helm of the Targa 45 GT. And James Barke from Boats.co.uk stepped aboard the brand-new Targa 40. Same brand, very different machines.
Going by the figures, the F33 looks like the clear winner, so it’s really a contest for second place between the two Targas. Still, it made for an entertaining run, with each boat playing to its own strengths across the short, straight sprint.
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Fairline F//Line 33
The F//Line 33 starts at around £350,000 ex VAT (all prices correct at time of writing), but this particular boat, a 2024 model just a couple of weeks old, sits much closer to £550,000 thanks to a hefty list of extras. It has the latest cockpit layout and a manual hardtop - something buyers now expect, regardless of boat size. This one runs on twin petrol V8s, which are powerful but thirsty.
The reason I've chosen this one is obviously because it's the best looking and it's the fastest.
Fairline F//Line 33
The cockpit redesign makes a big difference. The original setup had bench seating either side and decent access to the platform, but it wasn’t great for socialising. Now, you can tuck into a corner and have a proper conversation. The new seating layout transforms how you use the space, and the backrest even folds away to open it right up. It feels more thought-out, like this is how it should have been from the start.
Down below, it’s surprisingly roomy. You don’t expect that kind of space on a boat with such sleek lines, but it’s there - and it’s well finished too. Rich walnut cabinetry gives it a high-end feel, though the lack of real windows is a strange choice. Fairline’s workaround is a bow-mounted camera feeding a live view to the TV, which feels a bit like a cheat. There’s also some debate over the TV placement, as practical use seems to have been overlooked.
There’s a decent double aft cabin and a proper bathroom, and the saloon table drops to create another berth. But the real win is having a permanent bed made up - no fiddling with cushions after a long day. Still, for regular overnights, you might want to go a bit bigger. One clear miss was the top-loading ice maker. Nobody liked them. Nobody uses it. Everyone agreed the money would be better put toward a hardtop (or fuel!) instead.
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Fairline F Line 339.99m Fairline Yachts
from 2019
Fairline Targa 40
The Targa 40 is Fairline’s answer to a modern 40-footer, and it’s hard not to draw comparisons with the long-standing Princess V40. Where the V40 has kept its shape with only minor tweaks over the years, the Targa 40 feels like a full refresh by taking everything that worked on the old formula and ramping it up.
From the outside, it’s neat, staying within a 12.2m footprint to keep marina and maintenance costs sensible. That decision may keep the bathing platform smaller, but it’s deliberate as it avoids the penalties of going past a crucial length bracket. Even so, it manages to cram in a garage and a hi-lo platform, and there's a clever folding sunbed arrangement that adapts to how you want to use the cockpit.
The Targa 40, I love it. It's just so pretty. The cockpit is lovely, the driving position… for me, it's good.
Targa 40
The cockpit has an optional balcony - it’s only on the starboard side, but it makes a real difference by widening the social space and giving the boat a more open, relaxed feel. Yes, it’s a pricey option at £30,000, but the fit and finish make the cost easier to justify: hydraulic rams, hidden railings, and that solid click as it all folds into place.
The cockpit furniture folds away smartly, too, similar to what Fairline did with the F//Line 33. It all speaks to a boat that’s been thought through, not just dressed up. Fairline's clearly gone all in here, as every bit of feedback from dealers and designers feels like it's been worked into the layout.
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BOAT TESTFairline Targa 40 Review (2024 Edition)
Inside, the Targa 40 keeps up that sense of polish. You get the same detailing you’d expect on a larger Squadron - things like fluted woodwork and quality materials and finishes. There’s a saloon galley amidships, a forward dinette that converts to a berth, and a guest cabin tucked aft. Big hull windows flood the interior with light, making the whole space feel less closed in than you might expect for the size. It’s the sort of interior that can hold its own even against some larger rivals.
The galley will get use, especially for UK owners, where a proper breakfast on board is part of the routine. In the Med, it’s more about coffee and croissants, but you still need somewhere to make them. Pricing starts at £550,000 ex VAT for a UK spec with smaller engines, but in reality, most buyers go straight for the bigger 380s and a fuller spec. Go all in with a Med spec and you’re closer to £800,000 ex VAT. For that, you get air-con, generator, bigger engines, and, if you're feeling indulgent, a beautifully made passerelle that costs nearly as much as a car.
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Fairline Targa 4012m Fairline Yachts
from 2023
Fairline Targa 45GT
The Targa 45 GT feels like a proper jump up from the 40 - not just in length, but in volume. It’s wider, taller, and altogether more substantial. On paper, it’s only 5ft (1.5m) longer, but in perso,n it looks and feels like a much bigger boat. Space is gained everywhere: in the saloon, in the cabins, even just walking around the deck. It’s a noticeable shift, and that’s before you get into any spec differences.
This is like sitting back in a Chesterfield next to a roaring fire. It's so quiet. You are completely insulated from the elements.
Targa 45 GT
Unlike the open version, the GT has a fully enclosed upper saloon, with big glass doors and windows that shut off the cockpit. It’s more of a lounge than a wet space, finished in teak with waterproof cushions, and air-con if you want it. The open version is more common in the Med, but there are still plenty of buyers there, and in the US, who pick the GT just to have the comfort of a sealed, cooled saloon when the heat gets too much.
It’s also IPS-only, and that changes how it drives. You still get a joystick on all three Fairlines in the group, but the difference with IPS is in the way it’s mounted - further forward, with more leverage - and it just works better. The control is smoother, less clunky than the stern drive setups on the Targa 40 and F//33. When you’re manoeuvring in tight spots, you notice it straight away.
Below deck, it’s a two-cabin boat as standard, with a decent galley and a lower dinette that opens the space up nicely. You can add a third cabin, but it’s a tight squeeze and only appeals to families with more than two kids. Most people stick with the two-cabin layout, which gives you better proportions throughout and two bathrooms, which is a real bonus. There’s also space for a Williams MiniJet in the garage, and that’s another clear step up from the 40. All told, the GT isn’t just a longer version of the 40. It’s a noticeably bigger, better-equipped boat, and it feels it.
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Fairline Targa 45 GT14.2m Fairline Yachts
from 2019
Fairline Face-Off: The Race
Targa 45 GT vs Targa 40 vs F//Line 33
With all three Fairlines lined up outside Ocean Village, it was time for a straight drag race. Nick had taken the helm of the Targa 45 GT, warm and dry in the comfort of a fully enclosed saloon. James, at the wheel of the brand-new Targa 40, packed with twin 380hp diesels and a clean, modern layout. Jack, meanwhile, was grinning in the F//Line 33, armed with twin 430hp petrol V8s and the lightest, most performance-driven hull of the group.
Initial getaway was better than expected for the 45 GT. Its IPS drive gave it a smooth, controlled push off the line, and for a moment, it was actually in front. The 40 responded well too - balanced and quick to settle into its stride. But once Jack opened the throttles on the F//33, the outcome was inevitable. The boat surged forward, leaving a trail of spray and the other two dropping behind fast.
We are going to lose, but we’ll be in the dry. That, to me, is a fair exchange.
Targa 45 GT
The F//33 climbed quickly past 40 knots, punching into headwind without hesitation. James held a solid second in the Targa 40, making better progress than expected, while Nick’s 45 GT settled into third - comfortable, smooth, but not built for speed. Despite the gap in pace, there was some satisfaction in the GT’s calm delivery, especially as the rain set in and the open boats took the brunt of the weather.
As the race drew to a close, the F//Line 33 was already a distant blur on the horizon. The Targa 40 followed at a respectable distance, holding its own well against the odds. And the 45 GT was still dry, still warm, and probably the most civilised place to be.
We’ve passed them! Kabam! Bye bye!
F//Line 33
Final Thoughts
Is the Targa 40 the sweet spot between the 45 GT and the F//Line 33? Maybe, but it’s not as simple as one boat sitting neatly between the other two. What stood out most was how different they all felt. These aren’t just scaled-up or scaled-down versions of each other. The 45 doesn’t feel like a 40 with an extra 5ft. It’s its own boat. Very much a calmer and refined one, set up for longer days and nights onboard.
The F//33 is more about energy. It’s fast, loud, and thrilling. Jack had it pinned, and even sitting at the back, it felt like hanging onto a rollercoaster. It’s the boat you’d take out for a day in the sun, knowing you’ll be back before the weather changes - and probably grinning the whole way.
And then there’s the 40. It’s got a newer-boat feel, with sharp looks, a great cockpit, and just enough edge to make it engaging. It doesn’t try to replace the 45 or chase the F33. Instead, it finds its own rhythm. From a design and sales point of view, it’s clever too by managing to squeeze in a tender garage without spoiling the glazed aft section. No one else has quite pulled that off.
