Change of boat Sargo or Targa

[Chris CJ]

Many thanks for the many comments , suggestions and helpful advice . Having walked a couple of marinas and spoken to owners of various mobo’s and on line viewing , we have a preference in our thoughts , Targa 37 or Targa 42 .
Our next step in this process is to go motor boating with some friends who own motorboats , arrange for some motor boat training. Providing we are comfortable and satisfied this is the way forward as our yacht sailing years diminish , we will probably carry on sailing for another season or two , whilst continue in our search for preferred motor boat.

Many that’s once again ,

Chris

 

[NBs]

The Botnia targa is really seaworthy, but the kitchen is poor, it is built to a higher standard than the sargo. If you like this type of boat. They were originally built as connection boats for both brands. Here in Finland there is a large archipelago where people have summer cottages in the archipelago.

 

[Little Ricky]

Having got soaked by heavy rain showers today , sailing from Falmouth to Fowey , I say sailing , well we motored for 4 hours . Mrs B is now talking about a nice dry cabin and something faster than 6 kts . Been looking at Sargo and Targa around the 32 ft size . I would pleased to hear thoughts or experiences before promising something that is not suitable
Chris

I know you got soaked, but are you sure you wont miss steering in the open air? A completely enclosed helm might feel like driving a van, not the freedom of the water?

 

[Chris CJ]

Ricky , it’s a good point well made , simple answer is yes , hence our plan is to keep of sailing for another season or two, keeping an eye on the market , most of our plans have an ‘ ish’ to it , so it may well be longer sailing , who knows
Chris

 

[NBs]

I know you got soaked, but are you sure you wont miss steering in the open air? A completely enclosed helm might feel like driving a van, not the freedom of the water?

Very good perspective, the feeling is different.

My previous boat was a typical fly bridge, but skin cancer no longer allowed for outdoor cruising.

I move to "a van" and can boat in the shelter and the high pilot house 360° view replaces the outdoors when I open both side doors and can be protected from the sun.

I can also drive my van from the top deck, that's where the necessary instruments are located.

 

[Farmer Piles]

Rear doors open, side doors open and the sunroof slid right back; not the same as an open cockpit but a good compromise. And you can close it all up when it gets wet.

 

[NBs]

The Botnia targa is also available with the possibility to drive outside, depending on the model you can get a big fly bridge or a small 2-3 person cabin.

 

[gordmac]

I echo that point no 1. I find I have to slow right down in sea conditions that I'd have thought nothing of when sailing. But wind strength and direction of itself is no matter, except if it makes coming alongside difficult.

One effect of this sensitivity to sea conditions is that passage planning become interesting. The same (say) 40 mile passage is either two hours at 20 knots or six hours at 6.5. Which it will be I don't know until I know the sea conditions on the day. When sailing I knew in advance it would be seven hours which I'd round up to eight to make myself and the crew feel good when we did it in less.

Slow down in a Botnia Targa? It needs to be bad before you need to come off the plane and even then you will be quicker than sailing!

 

[Farmer Piles]

There is the story of when they held the Round Britain Powerboat Race years ago, they got to the tip of Cornwall and a big storm blew up. Apparently all the boats put into Newlyn apart from a Targa and a bunch of Royal Marines in a big RIB. They went round Land's End despite the weather.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

This:
The other boat that went round Land's End - Motor Boat & Yachting

 

[Sticky Fingers]

And
Botnia Targa skipper tells of Land's End rounding - Motor Boat & Yachting

 

[Farmer Piles]

I was sure that it was the case and not just a maritime myth.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Yes definitely. I really like them, but Mrs Sticky not so much. And I’m now very much in the trad flybridge supporters club.

 

[ashtead]

They look pricey and not as spacious as others for you£/€ maybe? Rather industrial looking boats maybe with those black rails ? Not disputing quality but as pretty as a Bavaria or a Princess of course.

 

[Chris CJ]

Following further research and viewing some Targa’s , we have concluded that a Targa is not for us for various reasons. Our current thoughts are heading towards a Marex 375 that provides for more space internally , better head room in the main berth and a more useable galley as well as providing excellent outside/inside social space . Not sure how well the Marex compares to a Targa in rough seas. Oh well more looking and research, waiting for a 2 or 3 year old boat to come onto the UK market with a right specification.
Would welcome feedback from Marex owners
Chris

 

[Alicatt]

I have been out for 4 days on a Targa 35 with 2 x 400hp D6 VP on outdrives, very capable boat and can maintain a good speed in some good chop, the big downside of it is that it sacrifices saloon space for deck space, with three of us men on board it was a bit of a squeeze.
There is everything you need on board but after using the Broom Ocean 37 the Targa is very much small and cramped. Yeah it was nice blasting along at over 20 knots into a head sea of about .7m and coming back even faster with a following 1m sea - This was just before Storm Amy hit the Clyde.

I liked it but would not want to do an extended cruise on her, where as I am reluctant to get back off on to the shore with our Ocean 37 as she is so nice to be on, both the Targa 35 and the Ocean 37 are the same over all length but the Ocean 37 is much more spacious in side.

Targa 35


Ocean 37

 

[Little Ricky]

Fantastic interior, and you've got not one, but two lap dancing poles.

 

[NBs]

Following further research and viewing some Targa’s , we have concluded that a Targa is not for us for various reasons. Our current thoughts are heading towards a Marex 375 that provides for more space internally , better head room in the main berth and a more useable galley as well as providing excellent outside/inside social space . Not sure how well the Marex compares to a Targa in rough seas. Oh well more looking and research, waiting for a 2 or 3 year old boat to come onto the UK market with a right specification.
Would welcome feedback from Marex owners
Chris

Marex is a well-built and seaworthy boat. A friend of mine has had one for a long time and the boat has been trouble-free, except for the engine, which had to be replaced, but that was not Marex's fault. I looked at the Marex myself when I last changed boats and liked its performance and quality, but the canopy was a negative for us. I ended up choosing the Nordig tug 37 trawler.

Marex is also good because it has an axle drive and a single engine, making it easy to maintain.

 

[Little Ricky]

Marex always seems to be labelled as well build boats. What would be the difference between them and say a Bavaria or Beneteau with regards to their build quality (notwithstanding perhaps better cupboard and door latches etc).

 

[AllanG]

Alicatt….lovely interior, but how do you secure your free standing helm seat in an unfavourable seaway?