1996 Fairline Targa 33/34 1996 with AD41s

[DazzyWoo]

Hi,

so have been steadily saving for a 38 - 42 ft flybridge.. but am now thinking that I am not sure I want that much capital tied up in a boat at the moment

A potential private sale has come up for a 1996 Fairline 33/34 with AD41s. The owner assures me he has all the necessary paperwork (but I need to see it myself), and I would get the boat surveyed and sea trialed by a marine engineer, and the legs gone over with a fine tooth comb.

I have seen lots of pics (but not in real life) and visually she presents like a very well cared for 2006 boat - and all the cosmetic bit have been replaced and upgraded, (internal and external upholstery, full set of covers, new combi oven, new fridge, new heads, new battery, new battery charger, new SIMRAD nav system + radar + AIS, and the obligatory blue under water lights + PeterM metallic name plate.).

However... I have never seen or heard of the model before. Does anyone have experience (good or bad) of this model? What about AD41s? Does anyone know what the max speed / cruising speed would be?

The price is a smidge over £50k - which in some ways seems reasonable for a well sorted twin diesel 34ft cruiser, but in other ways seems like a lot for nearly 25 year old engines and drives.

DW

 

[JCG25]

Haven’t had experience with a targa 34 however a good friend of mine owns a 34ft boat with twin AD41s, max speed he gets is 32knts and cruising speed between 22-26knts. The AD41 IMO are ”bulletproof”. I had them in my portofino 31 which I had for 3 yrs and no issues whatsoever.

 

[Seastoke]

Hi,

so have been steadily saving for a 38 - 42 ft flybridge.. but am now thinking that I am not sure I want that much capital tied up in a boat at the moment

A potential private sale has come up for a 1996 Fairline 33/34 with AD41s. The owner assures me he has all the necessary paperwork (but I need to see it myself), and I would get the boat surveyed and sea trialed by a marine engineer, and the legs gone over with a fine tooth comb.

I have seen lots of pics (but not in real life) and visually she presents like a very well cared for 2006 boat - and all the cosmetic bit have been replaced and upgraded, (internal and external upholstery, full set of covers, new combi oven, new fridge, new heads, new battery, new battery charger, new SIMRAD nav system + radar + AIS, and the obligatory blue under water lights + PeterM metallic name plate.).

However... I have never seen or heard of the model before. Does anyone have experience (good or bad) of this model? What about AD41s? Does anyone know what the max speed / cruising speed would be?

The price is a smidge over £50k - which in some ways seems reasonable for a well sorted twin diesel 34ft cruiser, but in other ways seems like a lot for nearly 25 year old engines and drives.

DW

Have you seen a targa 33 on here from a forumite

 

[DazzyWoo]

Have you seen a targa 33 on here from a forumite

Nope - cant find it either. Would you point me in the right direction?

 

[Greg2]

We used to own a Targa 35 with the later KAD42’s, which was part of the evolution of the Targa 33 to later Blue hulled Targa 34 via the 35 and a briefly designated earlier 34. More power and with the benefit of a supercharger / kompressor so we cruised at 25 knots and top end was around 34 knots on a good day. Expect a bit less with the AD41s.

Good boats with a sound pedigree and to my mind you can’t beat sports cruisers in that size segment. Horses for courses - we love the usability and ‘cockpit life’ that you get with that type of boat and whilst the saloon and accommodation is perfectly adequate it isn’t quite the same as a flybridge boat.

The AD41s are a good, reliable engine but of course getting longer in the tooth. The outdrives will also be of an age so would want to be very careful about what has been done with the in terms of maintenance.

The thing with price is that no matter what you do to upgrade a boat it will still be that make / model so it has a price ceiling, a bit like putting a conservatory on a house - makes it more saleable but it doesn’t necessarily increase the value by what you have spent.

We did a lot to our Targa and did a write up on here Winter Project - bit PBO with lots of pics - we did it because we wanted to as opposed for the purpose of selling and whilst it undoubtedly helped with the sale when we did change boats, it didn’t add a whole lot to the price - a bit but not what it cost.

Current value is a tricky one - the market is busy at the moment and there is an old model 34 with KAD42s asking £70k in the Netherlands - way too much to my mind but exchange rates may be a factor Fairline Targa 34 Used Boat for Sale 1992 | TheYachtMarket

 

[oldgit]

Have no idea and no interest in speed or performance

AD 41 are 6 cylinder 3.6 engine which have powered all sorts of boats. A basic easy to maintain engine .
Modified as time went on , based on the 40 series introduced in the early 1980s developing about 100 HP.
Volvo Penta have good record of still producing many spare parts for their older engines with a vast array of after market OEM service parts available.
The 41 A was more powerful version with upgrades to the cooling system to cope with increased power and the 41B a development of the 41A with a little more power and modified cylinder head to solve a perceived smoke problem.
The downside is nothing more than old age and lack of use , a lethal and expensive combination.
Careful inspection before purchase can avoid later grief. Paperwork detailing servicing ( owner maintained or professional ) going back as long as possible .
My two pennies worth would be to pay particular attention to the cooling ie. Heat exchangers and oil coolers especially those on the starboard engine which usually lurk hidden under the deck.
A good clue is have the weeny little pencil anodes been changed recently or at all/ever , a real pig to to do if corroded in., so often not done.
The pencil anode goes first then corrosion starts on the pencil anode holder and after that its real expence.
The engine might not produce the power of later engines but if you like doing the servicing yourself without a lot of worrying electronics, could be a good purchase.
As for the outdrives virtually everything mentioned above but 10 times over.

A Duffers/cheapskate guide before purchase ................
Best quick guide to condition of the engines ...a real blast out somewhere at WOT with a chance for T & Ps to get to maximum, watch both the temp gauges to check for over heating, when throttling back temps should quickly return to normal. Oil pressure might appear bit low.
Cycle legs up and down look over stern for hydraulic oil or gearbox oil.
If the owner is reluctant to take you out ...smell a Rat.
Not confident , get a surveyor to do all this for you.

The Princess of the period / size is also worth a look.

 

[Seastoke]

Hi,

so have been steadily saving for a 38 - 42 ft flybridge.. but am now thinking that I am not sure I want that much capital tied up in a boat at the moment

A potential private sale has come up for a 1996 Fairline 33/34 with AD41s. The owner assures me he has all the necessary paperwork (but I need to see it myself), and I would get the boat surveyed and sea trialed by a marine engineer, and the legs gone over with a fine tooth comb.

I have seen lots of pics (but not in real life) and visually she presents like a very well cared for 2006 boat - and all the cosmetic bit have been replaced and upgraded, (internal and external upholstery, full set of covers, new combi oven, new fridge, new heads, new battery, new battery charger, new SIMRAD nav system + radar + AIS, and the obligatory blue under water lights + PeterM metallic name plate.).

However... I have never seen or heard of the model before. Does anyone have experience (good or bad) of this model? What about AD41s? Does anyone know what the max speed / cruising speed would be?

The price is a smidge over £50k - which in some ways seems reasonable for a well sorted twin diesel 34ft cruiser, but in other ways seems like a lot for nearly 25 year old engines and drives.

DW

Look on thread , boat demand .

 

[DazzyWoo]

We used to own a Targa 35 with the later KAD42’s, which was part of the evolution of the Targa 33 to later Blue hulled Targa 34 via the 35 and a briefly designated earlier 34. More power and with the benefit of a supercharger / kompressor so we cruised at 25 knots and top end was around 34 knots on a good day. Expect a bit less with the AD41s.

Hi Greg - I am familiar with the T34; having considered purchasing a couple many years ago; but rejecting both due to leg issues found on inspection by VolvoPaul. There are lots of adverts for T33; but I am not familiar with T35. Also the seller describes this boats as a "T33/T34". i.e. It is not an either/ or - he is saying that is the model name. I have never heard of this. Is this a mistake? I'll post some pics below. Perhaps someone will be able to identify the exact model.

Current value is a tricky one - the market is busy at the moment and there is an old model 34 with KAD42s asking £70k in the Netherlands - way too much to my mind but exchange rates may be a factor Fairline Targa 34 Used Boat for Sale 1992 | TheYachtMarket.

that appears very pricey. E.g. . 98 Targa 34 for for 63,000 or 2000 Targa 34 for £71,500

 

[DazzyWoo]

Thanks OldGit - I would be asking VolvoPaul and Nick Vass to do the honours.

 

[BruceK]

Something I find puzzling is the AD41 production run was 88 and 89. By 96 you're looking at the end of the production run for the KAD42 and in 97 the 43 followed shortly by the 44 came in. Why would the manufacturer put an older engine into their boat?

 

[DazzyWoo]

To clarify - it is a specific boat that I am looking at. It is neither a T33 or T34, but something different a "T33/34"- and its not something I have ever heard of tbh. She is apparently c36ft long - with 2 cabins, with a similar layout to an T34 or S34, though the heads appear to be next to the stern cabin, rather than the bow cabin.

The seller says "Basically its the very last of the 33 shape top sides . Slightly longer and more beam than the older 33 . They finished making the 33 in 1994/95 . Mine is a 1996 same year they changed shape in 1996/1997 . 33ft on paper but shes closer to 35/36ft "

Has anyone heard of this model? Some Pic below.

 

[DazzyWoo]

Something I find puzzling is the AD41 production run was 88 and 89. By 96 you're looking at the end of the production run for the KAD42 and in 97 the 43 followed shortly by the 44 came in. Why would the manufacturer put an older engine into their boat?

Hi Bruce - the AD41s are in many post '89 boats. e.g. 2005 Sealine F34. I was not into boats at the time , so not sure why people chose AD41 vs KAD42s, 43s, 44s etc - which seem to overlap. I imagine price would have something to do with it.

 

[Greg2]

Hi Greg - I am familiar with the T34; having considered purchasing a couple many years ago; but rejecting both due to leg issues found on inspection by VolvoPaul. There are lots of adverts for T33; but I am not familiar with T35. Also the seller describes this boats as a "T33/T34". i.e. It is not an either/ or - he is saying that is the model name. I have never heard of this. Is this a mistake? I'll post some pics below. Perhaps someone will be able to identify the exact model.



that appears very pricey. E.g. . 98 Targa 34 for for 63,000 or 2000 Targa 34 for £71,500

The T33 morphed into the older T34 designation before becoming the T35 if memory serves. This preceded the launch of the later T34, which is a different boat altogether. The primary difference between the 33 and 34 was, I think, the swept back radar arch and rounded windscreen as well as one or two other mods/upgrades. There has always been some uncertainty about actual designations with the 33 often referred to as the 30/33. At a guess, the one you may be interested in could be a 33 but with similar mods to the later 34 designation have it being referred to as a 33/34?

This is an expired ad for our old T35 Fairline Targa 35 For Sale, 11.15m, 1994

I completely agree about price!

Edit: Just seen the pics you posted - that is the older 34/35 designated boat on the transition journey from the 33 and before the launch of the later 34 with teardrop side windscreens. It is very similar to ours, including the shape of the helm seats. I may have got the 34 / 35 designations the wrong way round - perhaps it was called the 35 before the 34.

 

[BruceK]

That bears more than a passing resemblance to my boat. I think the price being asked is more than fair, the only thing I will say on the passing resemblance piece is that engine bay is almost identical and getting behind the engines to do anything, ram pins, trim pot, steering helmet etc is an absolute nightmare. Mine made worse with additional roots charger etc to remove but even so, a nightmare. So make sure you pay particular attention to those items on survey because changing penny parts becomes a very expensive or in my case labour intensive exercise as you strip the engine to the short block for access. For example the gear wheel on the helmet that turns the trim pot. Every season barnacles growing underneath cause it to pop out. Pennies for some new o-rings to relocate and seal. Do you think you can reinsert it without taking the pot out first, think again. Do you think the pot comes out easily after a bit of salt has got in, no. New pot £230 excl VAT plus and engine strip for access. Trim ram pins. Lets not go there. I managed without taking the engine out. Combined hours .... every weekend for four months 2 man job that nearly ended a friendship. I guess all boats in this class will be similar but check behind the engines. I'm guessing if the boat has had any neglect that will be the easiest place to see evidence.

 

[DazzyWoo]

that is the older 34/35 designated boat on the transition journey from the 33 and before the launch of the later 34 with teardrop side windscreens. It is very similar to ours, including the shape of the helm seats.

I think you may be right Your looks lovely. Anything to watch out for - either in inspection or in living with it?

 

[Greg2]

I think you may be right Your looks lovely. Anything to watch out for - either in inspection or in living with it?

Bruce is spot on about access to the back of the engines - very tricky because the deck isn’t very high above them so have a good look there. That said, ours had a removable locker under the port side seat (it will be stbd on the one you are looking at as the transom door is on the opposite side) and I could squeeze into the space at the side of the engine so could get some access. There isn’t much room at the front of the engines either - you will see from my old post in the link on my first reply that we re-configured things a little (moving a battery box and replacing the battery charger with a modern, more compact model.

The heads / shower is combined but not as good size wise as the S34 - but then I am 6’5”” and not designed for any make of boat!

I see that the rear canopy goes straight from the arch to the transom, which makes the rear seat unusable with the canopy on. We had a new canopy and steelwork made to create a flat section coming away from the arch and the back then coming down to the transom at near (but not quite) vertical so the seats were usable at all times. We also had the front section made a little higher so that I could stand at the helm.

Overall, a good boat and I don’t recall any issues other than the usual engine / outdrive maintenance issues, which aren’t boat specific.

 

[DazzyWoo]

so - plus sides are: superficially looks tidy, and a fair price + would be fun (when working)

down sides are: engine access, rear canopy + its rather a niche / unusual model. .. I do wonder if it might be worth spending a bit extra to get a t37 - as is prettier, better cockpit layout and will be easier to sell when the time comes

 

[stelican]

The rounded screen earlierT28 became the T31,The 30 became the T33 The rounded screen T33 became the T35

 

[stelican]

so - plus sides are: superficially looks tidy, and a fair price + would be fun (when working)

down sides are: engine access, rear canopy + its rather a niche / unusual model. .. I do wonder if it might be worth spending a bit extra to get a t37 - as is prettier, better cockpit layout and will be easier to sell when the time comes

2 double fwd facing seats on T35

 

[DazzyWoo]

2 double fwd facing seats on T35

true - but we spend more time stopped, port hopping or pottering up the river dart -than passage making with company. I think it is a nice boat - but I'm not convinced there is a strong demand for a T34/35, so that makes it harder to sell. Tbf, that is probably reflected in the price. I need to buy something I can shift quickly if I need to. I'm thinking a T37 would be a better fit for our needs .