We’ve been on board for about 20 minutes when I hear a song I know coming over the satellite radio. Inching toward the control panel, I ask my companions for their okay and turn up the volume. Steely Dan’s “Do It Again” fills the air. It’s a gorgeous cool day under a clear blue Miami sky and I’m on board the new Fairline Targa 62GT. It’s my second chance to explore this sleek boat, which debuted at the 2012 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. While I had a good tour then, there’s nothing like experiencing a boat in motion to truly appreciate the thought behind the design.

This British boatbuilder uses the mantra “More than skin deep,” and Fairline pays attention to what goes on inside the engine room and under the hatches. Before we set out for a brisk ride on Miami’s waterways, I notice a few details that might escape a casual guest on board. They include everything from custom-made cleats and hardware, easy-to-read LED fuel gauges, aerofoils to deflect noise to strategically placed stowage. The generator and electric panels are ideally positioned for easy access.

Fairline shifted from the Targa’s original open design and “wet cockpit” to the Gran Turismo’s “dry interior” in 2005, Fairline’s Oliver Winbolt says. The new Targa 62GT offers the best of both worlds. In inclement weather, the enclosed salon is comfortable and secure, but on a beautiful South Florida day, such as this one, the Fairline-designed pneumatic sunroof and side windows open the entire deck to the sea breeze. Whether you’re behind the helm checking the readouts of the Garmin instruments and big chart plotters, sipping coffee at the dinette or in the mid-level galley to port, you’ll still be able to feel the fresh sea breeze.

Fairline opted for the mid-level galley on this model for several reasons, namely space and social interaction. The galley’s sunken position allows for a full-height refrigerator/freezer and nice counter space, and keeps the chef within earshot of activities on the main deck.

Belowdecks, the three-cabin layout makes the most of the additional space the boat’s compact Volvo Pentas and IPS allow. Forward is the full-beam master suite with a spacious bathroom nudged inside the bow space. The two aft cabins share a full head with glass-enclosed shower. Both are set up with convertible beds that will quickly shift from twins to doubles. Long windows let in light, ensuring that you never feel cramped or claustrophobic. The designers looked for easy-to-open portholes but, unable to find what they wanted, they partnered with Falcon to produce leak-free and easy-to-use aluminum castings with specially designed flush-open hinges and latches.

The boat’s large aft deck offers the same level of versatility found elsewhere. A long J-shaped bench allows everyone to enjoy the sun, but a sunshade extends over the whole area and can even be used while under way. While the configuration blocks starboard access to the swim platform, the extra seating is a huge plus. A big sun pad tops the garage, which is accessed via a large swim platform with a hydraulic lift to help launch and recover a 10-foot-6-inch (3.25-meter) Williams-type RIB tender. Thanks to the platform, the Targa 62GT can carry two toys—one in the garage and one on the swim platform. If you don’t need to carry two tenders aboard, Fairline also offers the option to use the garage space as crew quarters, an option in demand in South America, for example.

The music sounds great coming through the boat’s Fusion sound system, which includes speakers powerful enough to be heard no matter where you are on board. After we finish talking numbers and data, I walk over to the aft deck and recline on the sun pad. I can still hear the music without a problem, even as the yacht skirts the waves at 34 knots. Surprisingly, the wind here is neither extreme enough to completely disarrange a hairdo nor loud enough to interrupt a quiet conversation. This whole trip has been so much fun, I’d be more than happy to go back and “Do It Again,” as the Steely Dan song goes.

For more information, visit fairline.com

LOA: 63ft. 2in. (19.33m)
Beam (Inc. gunwale): 16ft. 6in. (5.03m)
Draft (unloaded): 4ft. 3in. (1.31m)
Displacement: 54,255 lbs.
Construction: composite
Engines (standard): 2 x Volvo Penta D13-800 EVC Shaft
Engines (optional / test boat): 2 x Volvo Penta D13-900 EVC Shaft 2 x MAN V8 1200 Shaft
Speed (max./cruising): 34/28 knots
Fuel capacity: 676 gal. (2,558L)
Water capacity (Inc. calorifier): 190 gal. (718L)
Price: $1,850,000