Botnia Targa test report,anyone got a copy?

[RobWales]

As many of the regulars will know I'm looking to change from my Bayliner 2556......!
I wonder if anyone has a test report for the Targa 27 they could send me please?
And I would welcome any other opinions on these craft?
My only concern is that the accomodation may be a little sparse and perhaps cramped for SWMBO or have I got that wrong having never seen one in the flesh!
She likes the idea of a seperate bedroom,I've taken a look at the Botnia website but its quite hard to tell from photo's alone plus the impartial side to these test reports is what we are interested in.

Thanks
Rob

 

[Chris_d]

Targa 27 is a great boat, you'll love it but swmbo will hate it /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Worse feature on the 27 is the outside bog, the door is from the outside not the main cabin.

 

[Whitelighter]

[ QUOTE ]
the outside bog, the door is from the outside not the main cabin.

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[nonitoo]

Ahh the joys of getting caught short in the middle of the night when it is raining and having to dress and go outside and then climb down into the loo, not to mention climbing out after a hot shower into the grotty weather outside.

I am assuming that there is no access to the loo from inside that I have not seen.

My wife would have a fit (and so would I).

Nice boat apart from that though. OTOH would you actually make use of that forward deck space cruising around the UK ?

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Yes, the limitation of the 27.1 is the outside loo, but find a nice used 30 and you can have a dump indoors!

 

[RobWales]

[ QUOTE ]
Targa 27 is a great boat, you'll love it but swmbo will hate it /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Worse feature on the 27 is the outside bog, the door is from the outside not the main cabin.

[/ QUOTE ]

Chris

Yep that outside "BOG"was another feature I forgot to mention that she would not like!
But hey come on people are paying thousands these days for outside saunas etc If I sell her on that idea think she would go for it? I'm thinking the Finnish(as in country)angle here!!!!!
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[MiskinDriver]

Don't have a test report - in fact I've never seen a test report for any of the Targas.

Personal opinion - I've got a 25 and there isn't much else I would consider. The outside loo, much mentioned, is a positive as far as my family are concerned - never having been too into the sort of heads which sit in the middle of the cabin - or under the head of the bunk in some cases! Also nasty smells are outside ...........

Accommodation in the 25 is small - but functional. The finish - its more clever than polished. You'll spend more time thinking 'that's clever' than you will 'that's beautiful'. They make brilliant use of space. I'm not sure how much more you get in a 27 over the 25 - though I think its mainly in the wheelhouse - which makes sense.
Handling is excellent once you get used to the trim tabs. plenty of power - will handle just about any sort of sea - a real year round boat - warm and dry inside. I don't much use the fly bridge - though its functional and seems to work OK. I spend a lot of time with the boat single handed, and the walk round deck and easy access through the side doors mean its easy. I do have the advantage of a centre cleat - which certainly makes things easier.

The style - well you either like brutal or you woudn't be considering a Targa. Personally, I love it - but then I definitely do function over form.

All in all - go for it.

 

[RobWales]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't have a test report - in fact I've never seen a test report for any of the Targas.

Personal opinion - I've got a 25 and there isn't much else I would consider. The outside loo, much mentioned, is a positive as far as my family are concerned - never having been too into the sort of heads which sit in the middle of the cabin - or under the head of the bunk in some cases! Also nasty smells are outside ...........

Accommodation in the 25 is small - but functional. The finish - its more clever than polished. You'll spend more time thinking 'that's clever' than you will 'that's beautiful'. They make brilliant use of space. I'm not sure how much more you get in a 27 over the 25 - though I think its mainly in the wheelhouse - which makes sense.
Handling is excellent once you get used to the trim tabs. plenty of power - will handle just about any sort of sea - a real year round boat - warm and dry inside. I don't much use the fly bridge - though its functional and seems to work OK. I spend a lot of time with the boat single handed, and the walk round deck and easy access through the side doors mean its easy. I do have the advantage of a centre cleat - which certainly makes things easier.

The style - well you either like brutal or you woudn't be considering a Targa. Personally, I love it - but then I definitely do function over form.

All in all - go for it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good feedback there Tony,much appreciated.

Thanks
Rob

 

[grumpy_o_g]

In MBM Feb 2007 there's a comparison test of a Targa 25.1 and a Nordstar Patrol 26. If you PM your email addy I could scan a few pages if that's not too frowned on.....

Geoff

 

[RobWales]

[ QUOTE ]
In MBM Feb 2007 there's a comparison test of a Targa 25.1 and a Nordstar Patrol 26. If you PM your email addy I could scan a few pages if that's not too frowned on.....

Geoff

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Geoff
PM sent

 

[tico]

would be ideal for WWales waters esp around St Govans!

 

[andyball]

wessexmarine always used to gladly send copies of test reports foc.

 

[gjgm]

think there might have been some posts on here when the test was done. It was a bit odd.. the Patrol (if you managed to get past the hundreds of errors in the journalism) seemed so much better in so many areas.. and then they said the Targa was better.. and you had to wonder why! Though I suspect there is a stronger seceond hand market for the Targas. Whisper has a 25.. I m sure you could PM him and let him froth on about how good it is /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[duncan]

Yes I have the reports and the brochures etc but by far the easiest route is to contact Wessex Marine as already suggested.

SWMBO had no problem with the layout of the loo at all when we were looking over the boats, also like the enclosed wheel house, felt the 'flybridge' was dinky and doubted she would ever go up there - especially underway (I knew better /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif).

Sleeping accomadation was definitely a downer but OK for either a couple or 2 individuals - the 30 is the family one everytime.

The walkround deck was a fantastic plus for SWMBO as was the foredeck seating arrangement - although I don't think she had thought through the impact of being at the bow when anchored to the wind....... for my sins I didn't highlight this at the time!

eventually I made a reallyreally really stupid decision not to go ahead with the 27 and to get an alternative 25ft walkround for half the price.............I have recently been looking at SH 30's and 31's on the scandanavian market with a view to replacing my current mobile home plus 25ft with a marina based floating home - but this is not the Botnia's forte; it's a craft for going places!

 

[whisper]

Oh dear, I didn't realise you were a closet targa owner.

Can't really add to what's been said other than to say I use the Upper Helm Station (It's definitely not a Flybridge) quite a lot, even in Winter.
Really invigorating on calm cold days.

One thing that's not been mentioned is the fact that they tend to be wet boats in choppy conditions - wipers are essential. Still, when you are snug in that heated wheelhouse that's not a problem.

I single-hand a lot and the hugely practical layout makes this a doddle.

Overall - great fun, hugely practical, but using the accomodation is rather like camping.

As you say, you need to go up to the 30 ft version to get reasonable sleeping arrangements for more than 2 people as the 25 & 27 are really only 2+2s, albeit that the 27 has better dining arrangements.

There have been a number of tests done and Wessex normally oblige with copies. They are a very nice lot to deal with.