Fairline Shadow uncovered!

  • Thread starter Thread starter ari
  • Start date Start date
What is it? The rumour was an over engined T38.
At first glance it does look like that and in fact the details are now on the Fairline website http://www.fairline.com/en/boats/targa/38-shadow-s/specification. The dimensions are precisely the same as the T38 and, as for being over engined, the engine is the same D6-400 as offered on the T38 Open. So it looks like its just a T38 with a fancy paint job and a bit of coloured upholstery, a sort of T38 Vanden Plas for those like me of a certain age, which I have to say is disappointing because all the promotional stuff suggested that Fairline were going to come out with some sort of performance sports boat. Slightly embarassing for the dealers to have to explain all the hype to their customers
 
At first glance it does look like that and in fact the details are now on the Fairline website http://www.fairline.com/en/boats/targa/38-shadow-s/specification. The dimensions are precisely the same as the T38 and, as for being over engined, the engine is the same D6-400 as offered on the T38 Open. So it looks like its just a T38 with a fancy paint job and a bit of coloured upholstery, a sort of T38 Vanden Plas for those like me of a certain age, which I have to say is disappointing because all the promotional stuff suggested that Fairline were going to come out with some sort of performance sports boat. Slightly embarassing for the dealers to have to explain all the hype to their customers

Dare to dream mike: "With all that power in mind, the Shadow-S has been styled for speed. Consider the graphite coloured hard top and hull band, the reflective silver glazing, the titanium deck colour..." :D
 
emmmm. I am a Fairline fan, but this does seem style over substance.

Fastest Fairline Yet. Well not according to their web site which ( as mentioned above) shows the T38 with 400 engines an wait for it .... 44 knots - which looks just like the Shadow.

T38 with a paint job.

This rather devalues the 8 models in three years claim, as I assume this is one of those models.

My s65 is wrapped in Bronze. So maybe I have a new model - an S 65 Bronzee, or S65 Brighten (op of Shadow).

They would be far better saying this is the 2015 revamp of the T38.

We also need a name for Jimmy The Builders new boat. A T40 longee. or a T42!

JFM now has a S78 Silverado ( silver hard top).

Gosh we all have new models.
 
To be fair, it's given the boat a useful lift in appearance, it looks a lot more individual than the usual ubiquitous white. Same with the cockpit which looks a lot more interesting.

The twin helm seats are a big improvement too.
 
T38, Secret Agent Edition.
It does look quite smart, but I'd always be worried about it getting blown up by Ernst Blofeld's henchmen.
 
Dare to dream mike: "With all that power in mind, the Shadow-S has been styled for speed. Consider the graphite coloured hard top and hull band, the reflective silver glazing, the titanium deck colour..." :D
Ah OK, it's like my old Mk1 Cortina then, which went 10mph faster when I put go faster stripes on it:D
 
To be fair, it's given the boat a useful lift in appearance, it looks a lot more individual than the usual ubiquitous white. Same with the cockpit which looks a lot more interesting.

The twin helm seats are a big improvement too.

I'm not sure that leather upholstery in a wet cockpit would be my first choice (if it actually is real leather, which the website suggests).

Is there a regular T38 on display as well?
 
I'm not sure that leather upholstery in a wet cockpit would be my first choice (if it actually is real leather, which the website suggests).

Perhaps it is something like the 'Artico' leather you get in Mercedes these days - which isn't actually leather at all. (Although it looks like it is, and I guess many people with 'Artico' leather are probably completely unaware it isn't 'real' leather).
 
OK, the Targa 38 and the Shadow are gorgeous boats and I'd loved to own one (one day perhaps).

But the press release promised "three new models" (http://www.fairline.com/en/news/fairline-to-unveil-three-new-models).

I think that even the most ardent Fairline fan would feel a little short changed - even if you count the Shadow as a new model (which I think is pushing it a little), where are the other two new models?

Come on Fairline, you can do better than that!
 
I think that even the most ardent Fairline fan would feel a little short changed - even if you count the Shadow as a new model (which I think is pushing it a little), where are the other two new models?

Targa 53 (Southampton, September 2015) and Squadron 53 (presumably Dusseldorf, January 2016) just announced
 
This is just what the UK boating scene needs an even faster model based on an existing boat that enables people to get to the Folly even faster, pointless IMHO
 
Targa 53 (Southampton, September 2015) and Squadron 53 (presumably Dusseldorf, January 2016) just announced

They will be the Targa 50 and Squadron 53 both with high lo platforms, hardly ground breaking stuff!!

That black roof will be interesting after a few years in the sun too.

The black Targa 38 ( I refuse to call it by any other name!) is a MASSIVE cop out IMHO.
 
Top