Alternative to Rhea/Targa 23/25

[Moonshiners]

Hi Folks, we've been planning our next change of boat very carefully, and have found what our ideal type of boat is the pilothouse/full walk around style boats of the Targa and Rhea range of lengths between 23 and 27 feet. Unfortunately both are too expensive for us to concider at the moment, i've been trawling the magazines and Internet for a few weeks now trying to find a more in-expensive alternative, but without much joy.

Rhea:
http://www.northseamaritime.com/Page/RHEA650.htm
Targa:
http://www.snip-yachting.com/gb/targa23.php

The real key is the full walkaround deck, with enclosed cabin, and berths. Could anyone suggest any alternatives which are more in our price range?



The Arvor/Merry Fisher range don't quite fit our needs, as most are fast fishers with a climb of sorts to the bow.

Prices up to 25k second hand (max).

Is this just wishfull thinking and do I have a long wait, or is my only current alternative a converted trawler with 5 knots :-(

As always advice appreciated.

 

[Whitelighter]

Sadly, I think you will struggle with your budget. Up until recently, it has only been the niche scandi brands that have offered the combination of sensible walkaround decks and big, practical wheel houses.

There are loads of makers selling only in Sweden Norway and Finland but we get very few here as most buyers seem to prefer swoopy open boats to the rather utilitarian looks of the Targas.

Recently, Viking Marine in Turkey have started to bring in a similar boat, as have Northstar but even early used boats will be too new to fit your budget.

This is the Cheapest Botnia I can find from 1989 - a 25 on at just under £40k here!

You might be wise to look at the Beneteau Antares series - older boats than the current models while not quite so rufty tufty as the Botnias did at least have decent side decks and were well built.

Another boat that fits your bill in terms of a wheel house and wide side decks is the ACM Heritage 26. Not in the same league of perfromance as the Botnia (but then not much is)

Again, you might struggle with your budget. They have been in production since 1996 but a quick look only shows a 1999 boat on at £46k here

All the above boats are in the eurozone so prices will be based on the euro. It will be making them expensive, last year the ACM for example would havce been closer to £30k /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Hope this helps a little, good luck with the search.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Moonshiners, I went through a similar thought process a few months ago before eventually buying a RIB. I didn't like the fast fisher style either and I concluded in the end that you can't get a secondhand diesel powered walk round for this kind of money unless you strike really lucky. FWIW, I think you're going to have to look at something a bit smaller and o/b powered like these

Aquador 21WA
Hardy Bosun 20
Karnic 2250
SB Minor
Yamarin 62WA

Not sure whether any of these are currently on the market secondhand but worth checking

 

[Moonshiners]

Thanks guys, I know the likes of Targa are well out of my current rice range ATM.
But thanks for the heads up on the other brands wort looking at, a few have been mentioned that ive never even heard of, which is great as opens the search area, with family in Scandinavia, after some research there is the option of bringing one back from over there...

It may just be a case that I have to hang on until I can increase my budget which is much more likely in another 12-24 months which is pretty short in boat terms I guess.

Thanks again.

 

[whisper]

Hang on - they are worth waiting for. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Actually there's a few Scandinavian brands worth looking at. Get your contacts over there to buy some of the motorboating mags to give you an idea.

Have a look at a Ryds 23, as a "tide you over" type of boat. Not many people know about them in the UK but you'd get a decent second hand one for £25k. Excellent walkaround with a basic cabin.
We imported the first into this country, about 6yrs ago, - bought in Denmark - and sold it after a year and a half, for more than we paid for it. Mind you the £1 was much stronger then.