When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Fairline Squadron 78 Custom 2008 and the Fairline Targa 47 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 Squadron 78 Custom 2008 measures 79,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 31,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Fairline Targa 47 2008 at 48,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fairline Squadron 78 Custom 2008 tips the scales at 9 104 lbs — 6 268 lbs more than the Fairline Targa 47 2008 at 2 836 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 2 720 hp, the Fairline Squadron 78 Custom 2008 has a 1 720-hp advantage over the Fairline Targa 47 2008's 1 000-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 Squadron 78 Custom 2008 carries 1 556 gallons versus 37 gallons in the Fairline Targa 47 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 Squadron 78 Custom 2008 is rated for 24 passengers, while the Fairline Targa 47 2008 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fairline Squadron 78 Custom 2008 could be the deciding factor.