The Fairline Targa 43 2020 vs Fairline Targa 45 Open 2025 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Fairline Targa 43 2020 at 45,7 ft versus Fairline Targa 45 Open 2025 at 47,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Fairline Targa 45 Open 2025 tips the scales at 27 557 lbs — 1 957 lbs less than the Fairline Targa 43 2020 at 25 600 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 480 hp for the Fairline Targa 43 2020 and 480 hp for the Fairline Targa 45 Open 2025. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Fairline Targa 43 2020 carries 343 gallons versus 286 gallons in the Fairline Targa 45 Open 2025. 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 Targa 45 Open 2025 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Fairline Targa 43 2020 caps at 13. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Fairline Targa 45 Open 2025 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Fairline Targa 45 Open 2025 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 47,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Fairline Targa 43 2020 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 13 that costs less to run day-to-day.