Fairline Targa 53 GT Yacht Review

The word ‘targa’ for those in the know, will swiftly be associated with the Porsche 911s designed in 1966 and launched in the 1970s. A flashback of the open top, fixed back window and brushed-finish metal slanted over the driver’s and passenger’s heads would immediately play in your mind. The awe that came with open air top and the integrated roll bar was the rave in town that year. But it has become out-dated and people have begun to stow their hardtop somewhere in their garage and hope for no rain. The Targa 53GT is trying resuscitating the positive part of the Porsche idea and doing away with the negative parts.

Construction

Fairline designs have been creating their hulls three models at a time for each hull. This implies that we have the 53GT, a 53 open (which has a hose linked to the cockpit) and a squadron 53 (which is the flying bridge version). The models are similar in their hulls, accommodation styles, engineering and deck molding. The design director, Andrew Pope, has confirmed that a boat’s design is constructed with the aim of maximizing the hull to carry the load of all three models – so the three hulls are designed simultaneously.

Accommodations

Targa 53GT consists of two layout setups. The on-deck galley was easily accessible to everyone; they could easily serve themselves food and drinks. In the absence of the galley, the large opening tri-fold door which demarcates the cabin and the cockpit gives an atmosphere of a lovely indoor-outdoor lounge area. It has a lengthy and comfortable settee which stretches from the saloon to the cockpit at 15 feet long. This long settee has a cabinet which is a very thoughtful addition for personal use. Below the deck, the galley houses the midship master, a guest double forward with a shared head and shower stall space and also a twin berth double at the port side. Another very amazing feature is the standing-height vestibule above the bed which has an easy-to-reach bed height, which also present in the stateroom.

Performance

Our speed trial runs answered some of my questions about the Targa designs. The mammoth sunroof located above the helm opens completely and the helmsman can put his head out the sunroof. The gasket on the roof is inflatable and can be secured in place whether it is slightly opened or wide open. The sound levels were not distorted or heightened as we rode in long.

LOA: 55’6″
BEAM: 14’10”
DRAFT: 3’11”
DISPL: 42,990LB
FUEL: 637 GAL
WATER: 145 GAL
TEST POWER: 2/725-HP Volvo Penta D11 EVC