Cranchi zaffiro 34 vs Fairline targa 34

[Nick1150]

Hello all,

I was looking at the T34, but my local dealer gave me the alternative of the 2008 zaffiro 34 at a very good price, so I am thinking about it.

What is your opinion quality wise ? Also please take in mind the F4 to F5 or F6 is an everyday weather here in the Aegean sea, so I would appreciate comments from people who have been in both boats, preferably in heavy weather conditions.

Thanks in advance.

Nick

 

[MapisM]

Neither are boats I'd get out with in a F6 sea just for pleasure, but both can handle that, if necessary.
Pleasure boating in heavy weather conditions, now that's an oxymoron if I've ever seen one!

 

[Whitelighter]

If you want to be out in F6+ (which seems to be your over riding objective) then it stars to become more about you than the boat. You have to understand what the sea is doing, wave direction and you have to concentrate like mad.

Neither of the boats you mention are going to help you that much. If you want to go out in that sort of weather get a Windy, or a Hunton, or maybe a Goldfish

 

[John100156]

+1 Did it for 80nm once in a T34 - could not leave the helm, pee into a bucket, forget auto-pilot it gets scared, doesn't know where it is and shuts down, watching every wave - at the end of it I felt like I had gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson, exciting after the event, but very hard work during. In saying that the boat steered well and fortunately responded quickly, it needed to.

The boat did manage the conditions well for its size and I felt quite safe but as has been said, you had to carefully steer her through! F4, occasional F5 is about the limit for this size of boat IMO. If I had to choose - T34.

 

[Nick1150]

Hi to all,

Thanks for the replies.

Let me paraphrase because it seems that I didn't explain my requirements correctly.

So I currently own a 9 meter Greek RIB with twin Yams F150s, which is actually a true offshore machine. This is used for day family cruising the Aegean islands in the summer, swimming, sun bathing, relaxing. My family consists of my wife, my two daughters, our dog and me (last and least ). Photos of my RIB...

We have changed several boats in the past including two one cabin cruisers below 30 ft and some RIBs. Now the kids and wife need more. We need the ability to stay the night instead of returning to our base every Saturday or Sunday with our RIB.

I do not go out with an F6 or even F5, as you say its not pleasure anymore but I do with an F4. Nevertheless many times it happens that the 4s becomes easily 5 or even 6 on our return to our base in Athens, so our next boat must be able to handle F6 when we are unlucky enough and find it on our route.

Given your comments I suspect that 34ft is not what I should look for right ?

Thanks

Nick

 

[John100156]

For a small family of four, the T34 is small but a good boat and will accommodate short stays well, the cockpit with the covers off is great and the handling/performance excellent.

We topped-out at 43 knots once, WOT (for a few minutes), with a very clean bottom and polished props, coming back from Peniscola - we had been out and pootling most of the day, it was hot and sunny, tanks 1/4 full, flat sea state. I was really impressed with its performance.

F4 you will need to slow down if wind against tide.
F5 you will need to pick/reduce your speed to prevent slamming when going upwind.
F6 displacement speed and keep a very close eye on wave frequency/direction.

Others with more experience than me will almost certainly have different views!

Best of luck with your search - RIB looks great fun!

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

You want a Force 6 boat.
Look for an old Magnum Marine 38, with shafts, or an Itama 38.

You need a bit more displacement then the usual Windy, Hunton etc which have a more powerboat style of hull which is good in following and ok in head seas but still bumpy.

How is the Aegean weather pattern? AFAIK it is something you go out with out with flat seas in the morning, and then have it come up in the after-noon. Here will be a case of following or head seas.
If it is like this a Fairline 34 Targa will do a bit better (deeper dead-rise 18 deg) then the 34 Zaffiro. But upwind I would give the Zaffiro a slight edge thanks to its longer hull 37 feet over-all, and less full hull to fore which gives better low speed capability.

 

[z1ppy]

Did someone suggest a Hunton?

With the best will in the world and even though we are selling our Hunton, it would be a squeeze to have 4 people and a pooch staying on board unless you were a very close family! (not impossible but not my ideal)

A Hunton would however relish force 4, 5 and 6 conditions when driven correctly and would give you a hell of a thrill ride in the process!

PYB, interested in your comments about bumpy in a head sea. i know with the Hunton, if driven well it cuts through a fair head sea like a hot knife through butter. of course, there is no substitute for displacement when it comes to flattening the waves ahead but a very fine V, plenty of power in reserve and some skill come close!

i have not been in either of the two boats you suggest but i am one of the many owners will be along soon to offer their views.

Nice rib by the way. we are looking to get back into Ribs when the Hunton is sold.....

 

[kashurst]

I would buy the fairline over the cranchi - neighbour in the marina used to have a cranchi and slated the build quality. have you considered a fairline targa 43 with 74Ps - very good in the rough stuff and fast with the 470HP engines.

 

[Nick1150]

To be honest I would go to the fairline T34 too, but it seems that the Cranchi 34 zafirro is a bargain, at least here in Greece, where I have 3 offers below 100K, so I was wondering if anyone has tested both just to note the differences.

I am again pointing out that F6 is not my aim, but F5 is.

 

[alt]

What's your budget?

I had a Zaffiro 34 and loved it, never had a Targa so can't compare. I did love the Zaffiro 34 though with KAD43's. It was a 2003 so the updated interior which I highly recommend. Nothing went wrong with the boat while in my possession so can't comment on any weak points. One flaw with Cranchi is the terrible standard canopy that comes with it but a few quid will solve that