The year 2013 was a golden one for 50ft hardtop sports cruisers. At the London Boat Show in January, Sunseeker launched its new San Remo, a 50ft sports cruiser with a cockpit beneath its open-backed hardtop and a full-beam master cabin. Princess launched its V48 Open at the Cannes show later that same year. Longer, wider and higher than the original V48, it was powered by IPS drives and offered an even larger, full height, full beam owner’s cabin. In fact, Princess offered two versions – both sported a hard top but the Open had an open-backed roof over a cockpit, while the alternative had a fully enclosed deck saloon with sliding ‘patio doors’.
A few weeks later (just like buses – you wait for ages and then three turn up together) Fairline revealed a 48 of its own. However, it went one step further, offering a Squadron 48 flybridge on the same hull as well as two Targa 48s, the Open and the GT. The first of these, the Open version was shown at the 2013 Southampton Boat Show in September.
THE FAIREST OF ALL
Of all three manufacturers, it was perhaps Fairline’s offering that was most significant. At launch, it was the first all-new Fairline model for two years. With almost £3 million invested in its development, Fairline was betting the farm on this boat and it showed.
This story is from the January 2021 edition of Motor Boat & Yachting.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2021 edition of Motor Boat & Yachting.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
HOW TO NAVIGATE OVERFALLS
Overfalls are areas of broken or rougher water caused by tidal currents flowing past or over geographic features.
SLEIPNER'S NEW FINS
If you're looking for extra comfort at sea Sleipner's electric-powered radically curved Vector Fins could be a game-changer
SIRENA 48
The Sirena 68 won last year's award for flybridges over 60ft. Can its new entry-level 48 repeat that success?
24-YEAR ITCH
It took 14 years to find one, and another 10 to rebuild, but when boatbuilder Will Squibb first fell in love with a Levi Corsair, he knew he had to have one
WALLYWHY 150
A new launch from Wally is always going to cause a splash, but will the latest addition to the Wally why range create the same ripples as its larger predecessor?
THE TRUE COST OF RUNNING A SUPERYACHT
Everyone loves the idea of owning a superyacht but what does it actually cost to run one? The owners of a Sunseeker 105 charter yacht reveal all...
SUNSEEKER 100 YACHT BOAT TEST
A breezy delivery trip from Southampton to Poole provided the perfect conditions for sea trialling Sunseeker's latest big boat sensation
AZIMUT 48
Is it a party platform? A sportsboat? A weekender? Whatever it is, this American-style Azimut has plenty to recommend it...
BIG TRIP SMALL BOAT [PART 2]
Having made it from Runswick Bay, Yorkshire, to Harwich, Essex, in just one day, Ian Furby continues his attempt to circumnavigate Britain in his 18ft Nordkapp speedboat
AQUADOR 300 НТ
Alex Smith tests one of the most exciting new compact cruisers money can buy