Botnia Targa - Advice needed!

[Tillys_House]

Hello

New to the forum and would appreciate your thoughts on the following...

SWMBO has had difficult surgery to remove a cancer tumor from her neck and has been left with condition that means any entry into water could be fatal. She is determined to keep going with things that she enjoys, one of which is getting out on the water.

I need something that is reliable, weatherproof with solid safety walkabout capabilities. I will never go out now in heavy weather, but need something that can get back to base pronto in the event some weather blows up. A solid cabin with head and galley is important.

We live in Northern Ireland, and would like to keep cruising up the west coast of Scotland and "round the top" to the west coast of Ireland during the summer months, so we need something that can deal with potentially challenging conditions.

I think The Botnia Targas tick the relevant boxes. We don't care too for bling, the key thing is reliability, safety, reasonable economics and something that will hold value reasonably well.

Under the circumstances I'm not too sensitive about budget... You pay for what you get in my experience.

I'm thinking of a second hand (2010) 31.

Thoughts???

 

[omega2]

Land Rover of the Sea, well built, rugged and good enough for the Metropolitan Police!!

 

[Mike k]

Hi

Might be a bit old but for info anyway
http://www.liverpoolboatsales.co.uk.../motor-boat-for-sale/11000346/motor-boat.html
Good luck with the search

cheers

Mike

 

[Danfarry]

The boat above is located in Northern Ireland too, not liverpool. Made a few enquiries about it last year.

 

[Al Dickson]

We had a T 35 for a few years after trying lookalikes but there was no comparison when it came to seakeeping, build quality & residuals

We used her with young family & two mutts on the West Coast of Scotland/Ireland ideal boat for coping with & outrunning unsettled conditions.

They are a bit utilitarian inside & the "galley" is basic but does the job.

I found ours a confidence inspiring craft - going back to motorboats when the yacht sells and Botnia will be high on the list again.

 

[Nick_H]

SWMBO has had difficult surgery to remove a cancer tumor from her neck and has been left with condition that means any entry into water could be fatal.

... and you want to buy a boat!

Seriously, I admire her spirit, but the highest risk of ending up in the drink is getting on and off the boat in the marina, or getting into a tender. I guess you can choose not to do the latter, but she's going to have to do the former. Even walking down marina pontoons is a bit touch and go when the price of getting it wrong is that extreme. It's like the rest of us walking across a wobbly bridge with no handrails above a 1,000 ft crevice, and you want to do it for fun! Is a boat really a good idea?

 

[Seastoke]

... and you want to buy a boat!

Seriously, I admire her spirit, but the highest risk of ending up in the drink is getting on and off the boat in the marina, or getting into a tender. I guess you can choose not to do the latter, but she's going to have to do the former. Even walking down marina pontoons is a bit touch and go when the price of getting it wrong is that extreme. It's like the rest of us walking across a wobbly bridge with no handrails above a 1,000 ft crevice, and you want to do it for fun! Is a boat really a good idea?

when have you seen any one fall in ,bar being pissed

 

[rafiki_]

Whisper on here has a Botnia I believe.

 

[benjenbav]

when have you seen any one fall in ,bar being pissed

I've fallen in loads of times, sober as a judge: reaching over to clean topsides, building some staging...you name it

 

[gjgm]

Hello

New to the forum and would appreciate your thoughts on the following...

SWMBO has had difficult surgery to remove a cancer tumor from her neck and has been left with condition that means any entry into water could be fatal. She is determined to keep going with things that she enjoys, one of which is getting out on the water.

I need something that is reliable, weatherproof with solid safety walkabout capabilities. I will never go out now in heavy weather, but need something that can get back to base pronto in the event some weather blows up. A solid cabin with head and galley is important.

We live in Northern Ireland, and would like to keep cruising up the west coast of Scotland and "round the top" to the west coast of Ireland during the summer months, so we need something that can deal with potentially challenging conditions.

I think The Botnia Targas tick the relevant boxes. We don't care too for bling, the key thing is reliability, safety, reasonable economics and something that will hold value reasonably well.

Under the circumstances I'm not too sensitive about budget... You pay for what you get in my experience.

I'm thinking of a second hand (2010) 31.

Thoughts???

I am not sure that they are particularly dry boats.. is that a medical risk with spray?
Nimbus?Aquador?
No idea on your boating wishes, but given the circumstances do you really need heavy ruggedness- are you actually going to go out if the weather is looking unpredicatable.

 

[stuartwineberg]

They are very fast, unbelievably rugged and very safe but they do give a bit of a rough ride in a seaway. If your wife needs to be careful about jolting as well as water might be worth trying to find one with KAD suspension seats - I know the police fitted them to their boats but unsure if it was ever done to leisure ones. On the economics they expensive to buy and are on outdrives so more expensive to service than shaft driven boats. Given the money to look after one properly I would definitely have one!

 

[benjenbav]

They are very fast, unbelievably rugged and very safe but they do give a bit of a rough ride in a seaway. If your wife needs to be careful about jolting as well as water might be worth trying to find one with KAD suspension seats - I know the police fitted them to their boats but unsure if it was ever done to leisure ones. On the economics they expensive to buy and are on outdrives so more expensive to service than shaft driven boats. Given the money to look after one properly I would definitely have one!

They are workboats with nice soft furnishings. I would like one myself, but I wouldn't expect to win plaudits from the more delicately reared passengers.

 

[beebok]

We considered this boat but went for a semi displacement Aquastar
great sea boat and the aft berth is large and comfortable for
staying on board.

 

[SEARANGER ANCASTER]

Hello

New to the forum and would appreciate your thoughts on the following...

SWMBO has had difficult surgery to remove a cancer tumor from her neck and has been left with condition that means any entry into water could be fatal. She is determined to keep going with things that she enjoys, one of which is getting out on the water.

I need something that is reliable, weatherproof with solid safety walkabout capabilities. I will never go out now in heavy weather, but need something that can get back to base pronto in the event some weather blows up. A solid cabin with head and galley is important.

We live in Northern Ireland, and would like to keep cruising up the west coast of Scotland and "round the top" to the west coast of Ireland during the summer months, so we need something that can deal with potentially challenging conditions.

I think The Botnia Targas tick the relevant boxes. We don't care too for bling, the key thing is reliability, safety, reasonable economics and something that will hold value reasonably well.

Under the circumstances I'm not too sensitive about budget... You pay for what you get in my experience.

I'm thinking of a second hand (2010) 31.

Thoughts???

What about a Searanger ? Not many made but hand built so excellent finish , fantastic handling and wide safe decks with high gunnells etc. There is one for sale in SW Scotland , see here http://www.rsmyc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Bootlegger_For_Sale.pdf

 

[Bandit]

If you want a fast seaworthy day boat, that holds its residuals a Targa 31 is a good boat.

If you want a boat for many extended overnight stays or cruises an Aquastar is a good seaworthy all weather boat.

I have a 48 same hull less power or extras than Beebok and wife and I handle it easily, I do move the boat single handed on occasions.

 

[Tex]

The boat above is located in Northern Ireland too, not liverpool. Made a few enquiries about it last year.

Pretty sure she is Bangor Marina.

 

[testmonkey]

Excellent boat in all aspects very much recommended - but pay attention to throttle controls when going for dock lines via that side door - don't want your jacket to catch the throttle and bang it on full reverse when you walk out...

 

[benjenbav]

Excellent boat in all aspects very much recommended - but pay attention to throttle controls when going for dock lines via that side door - don't want your jacket to catch the throttle and bang it on full reverse when you walk out...

Always wonder how people discover these things...

 

[Ripster]

Like others, I too think the Botnia's are great boats. Bit limited in accommodation for their size, but that is the price you pay for all those deep side decks. Mate of mine down in Torbay has had a 31 for some 8 years or so and still loves it. I have helmed it on few occasions and its solid, fast and positive - great fun in fact. He never uses the flybridge as he says he can't see the bow when sat down - but that is just him! It's wise to look as at some other recommendations (as suggested) as you may prefer the layouts. But if you stick with a Targa 31 you won't go far wrong IMO.

 

[Al Dickson]

Always wonder how people discover these things...

That happened to a very close friend of mine once ...lol