When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Fairline Phantom 50 2008 and the Fairline Targa 40 2008 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Fairline Phantom 50 2008 measures 51,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 10,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fairline Targa 40 2008 at 41,0 feet (2008). At 34 lbs and 16 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 1 350 hp, the Fairline Phantom 50 2008 has a 730-hp advantage over the Fairline Targa 40 2008's 620-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Fairline Phantom 50 2008 carries 523 gallons versus 197 gallons in the Fairline Targa 40 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Fairline Phantom 50 2008 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Fairline Targa 40 2008 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fairline Phantom 50 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fairline Phantom 50 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 51,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fairline Targa 40 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.