The Brits are back

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Fairline's new Targa 64 GT is a cut above the rest as British builders enjoy a design-led resurgence.

In conversation with an Emirati colleague one day, the topic of the 'best' yachts came up, and I was surprised he was unequivocally convinced that when it came to yachts, and indeed to stylish design in all forms, it was the Italians you should look to.

But then one look at a marina anywhere in the world, and it is true the most striking designs will probably come branded with an Azimut, Baia, Pershing, etc badge, fitting perfectly into the Lamborghini and Ferrari stable.

However, just as Aston Martin and Rolls Royce have leapt back into the public eye as the most desired cars to be seen in, so British builders are enjoying a massive design-led resurgence.

Debuted at the Southampton International Boat Show last year, Fairline's new Targa 64 Gran Tourismo topped its impressive new 'modern' range of sportscruisers, which all give more than a slight nod of the hat to the conceptual steps taken by the Italians in judging what the modern sportscruiser owner wants from their boating pleasure - that is, attracting the non-yachtie market of owners who are not so concerned with traditional customs and the origin of teak used, as they are a stylish platform for entertaining and, frankly, showing off.

Lying stern-to alongside the dock, not a far step away from the string of supercars that line the forecourt outside many Dubai hotels, Fairline's Targa 64GT drew much of the attention, as not only had it been well billed, but was quite simply, a truly beautiful yacht.

Inheriting the Bernard Olesinski hull from the outgoing Targa 62, and matching it with a new sleeker superstructure and ‘indestructible' vacuum-sealed sunroof, the new Targa 64 ticked many boxes before even looking at how she was styled, the structural basics having been developed from time-proven designs.

Stepping onto the high teak bathing platform, only a small gap in the decking either side of the bulbous transom hints at the electrically operated lazarette boot that can be opened by remote control.

This allows ease of docking for the ubiquitous PWC or Williams waterjet RIB, which is gathered into position by an ingenious cradle device that aligns and draws the tender safely into the tight aft end of the engine compartment, totally concealing it with the lid closed.

Three deep companionway steps lead up to the main deck on either quarter, passing quite a meagre aft sunpad by many Mediterranean-styled yacht standards, but more than enough for a couple to laze in the sun while at rest.

The deep steps not only add a sense of grandeur when arriving; they also provide a secure cover to port for the electric passerelle, and to starboard for the shore connections.

However, it is not until stepping into the aft cockpit that this Targa 64GT really begins to depart from the clichéd sportscruiser. So much so that you would not be laughed at for mistaking the aft cockpit as a small penthouse veranda.

An aft transom bench tailored in all-weather fabric backs onto the double sunpad, and is joined to starboard by a further bench that together surround a collapsible teak table to provide seating for up to eight.

Forward to port, a trendy Corian and teak-topped wet bar and grill allow for alfresco entertaining, serving those seated directly from the grill. An intriguing take on the common wet bar area, this culinary area would not be out of place in a designer kitchen, the only sway towards a nautical theme taken by the secure teak grab rail encircling it.

In fact, many of the design themes that encapsulate the Targa 64GT start in this first social area, with space being optimised at every opportunity, from massive storage under both benches, to the table folding down into the starboard bench when underway to allow an empty cockpit.

Without compromising the needs of safe seamanship, all the bulky hardware that concern the crew are hidden from the stylist's eye, such as the fender storage under the cockpit floor and the teak lid that folds down over the aft quarter capstans, which fluidly guide their captive warps through stylish through-mounted fairleads.

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