Pulling ahead of the pack

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The Volvo Penta IPS propulsion system drives Fairline's Targa 44 GT to the top of its class.

When Fairline was bestowed with the honour of the Queen's Award for Enterprise for the second time in April, it came in recognition of the fact the company has been one of the prime movers in flying the flag for the British boat building industry for many years.

The award, which came in the International Trade category, is recognised as one of the most prestigious corporate accolades a UK business can win.

One of the contributing factors to the company's success, is the incorporation into every Fairline craft a commodity that endures beyond fad and fashion - quality.

Whilst the Fairline's hand-laid hulls may feel like they are sculpted from a single piece of ivory, the integrity actually comes from the 100 or so components that are bonded to it. The boat is simply greater because of the sum of its parts.

The Fairline build process actually eschews modern robotic manufacturing techniques in favour of the expertise employed by traditional craftsmen.

Building a boat may take four times longer using these methods, but stepping aboard the company's new Targa 44 Gran Tourismo, the results prove that the labour intensive approach certainly pays dividends.

The Targa marque signifies the open cockpit, express cruiser, portion of Fairline's output and has become instantly identifiable with sporty, owner-driver, friendly craft that are great entertainment platforms, as well as possessing practical inshore cruising capabilities.

The Phantom line represents the company's flybridge range and the Squadron their flagship cruisers, so you'd expect the builders to reserve certain materials and features for the top end of their range; Fairline have however ‘fully loaded' the Targa 44 - making it one of the most well appointed craft in its division.

Sitting dockside amongst larger yachts, the Targa still draws its fair share of admiring glances. Its raked topside profile flows easily over a brand new hull, fresh off Bernard Olesinski's drawing board.

Designed specifically to accommodate and perform with Volvo Penta's innovative new IPS propulsion system, the Targa 44 represents cutting edge in modern motorboat production.

The Volvo Inboard Performance System (IPS) system has had a dramatic impact on the way boats are designed, driven and perform. Instead of the traditional shaft drive, IPS employs a pair of pods hung on the underside, directly underneath the engine; this frees up considerable room inside the hull and allows for a larger guest cabin aft.

Mounted to these pods are forward-facing, counter-rotating propellers - a bit like the propellors on an aircraft. Rather than churning through water that's already been disturbed by the exposed shaft (the way outboards and most inboard engines do), the propellers screw through clean water - increasing efficiency and speed by up to 20 percent.

The true beauty of the IPS system - even when taking into account they are faster, more fuel efficient, cleaner, quieter and more responsive - is the improved maneuverability of the boat at slow speed.

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