Fairline Targa 27 - Opinions sought please

[Sneds]

Hi all hope someone can provide some opinion.

We are looking for a 26-28ft diesel sports cruiser and have come accross a 1989 Targa 27 fitted with a 2006 Yanmar 315hp diesel. She is quite a bit older than similar sized "flashier" looking american boats of the same price.

She is on brokerage at £35k, is this a lot of money for an 18 year old boat?
We boat in the Bristol Channel, usually encountering crappy weather, am I right in thinking that the Fairline will handle rough water better than an equivilent newer American boat (Glastron 279 or Searay Sundancer or similar)?
From previous threads I see some forumites have owned this model, maybe even this same boat(?) and any input, advice or opinions would be most welcome.
SWMBO thinks it is not as pretty as some and looks a little old fashioned.
Our current boat is a 1988 Sealine 215 Envoy (petrol) is it worth spending all that extra money to get a boat that is no newer than our current one?

Cheers /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ari]

Driven one of these in the past, fantastic sea boat, very solid, very well put together, lovely quality interior, definitely a cut above the American stuff.

However, yes it is an old boat now, and I don't recall them doing single engined versions (that's not to say that they didn't, I'm sure someone will know) and it would require a lot of modification to convert to a single if it were a twin, which would bother me a bit I think.

So I'd check on that (I'd be happier buying it if it started life as a single engine for sure).

Valuewise, yes £35K does sound a lot for a boat that is nearly 20 years old. However the nearly new diesel engine has value and condition is all important at this age.

But as a guide, a typical twin petrol example (as most were) of that vintage would probably ask about £25K now and I'd guess be worth about £20K. Nearly double for a single diesel..? Hmmm...

Also, be very sure it goes ok, they're a heavy boat for a single diesel.

 

[JohnRob]

I had a T27 for 8 years; twin 205 petrols. Good solid boat; great fun. Designs have come on since, but not all that much - integrated b/platform, transom door, sociable dining arrangement (flip over seat works pretty well) and large cockpit table are all there. A nicely polished one with tidy stripes (you can get them re-striped) and good covers looks sharp.

Don't expect miracles sea-keeping wise, but I'd say it's pretty good for its size. Mine tended to slam in a head sea even with the bow trimmed well down, so do try and give it a sea trial in lively conditions to see if it lives up to your expectations. A 20 year old will tend to rattle a bit.

Some other things to think about and make up your own mind on: - not much storage; rear cabin very tight for two adults - but two kids would probably be ok; check rear cabin carpet for water ingress - some seem to leak and it can be difficult to identify source; lower exterior air intakes should be blanked off, otherwise can ship water - most will have had this done. Upper should open backwards not forwards! Also there were design changes late 89 onwards - earlier models had single rather than twin saloon windows, and a less robust transom arrangement, cabin door etc. I presume these changes were for a reason and not just aesthetics.

Twin 205s petrols gave sporty performance. Single diesel 200 did not, but 315 sounds promising - just check that it gets up on the plane easily with a reasonable load on board and gives you enough low down torque to drive you out of the troughs.

Oh yes, and check the bathing platform is not full of rain water...!

We had great fun with ours. If its in good nick and well cared for, sure you will too. Good luck.

ItS

 

[Sneds]

Thanks for that. We still have to sell our current boat so are just "surfing" at the moment.
My main concern is the age of the boat in question, I guess its a case of a new Kia or an old Jag!
She will sit on our short list untill we are in a posistion to start viewing.

Thanks again

Iain

 

[davidsuckling]

I have a targa 27 the one i have is fitted with twin 31ds total is 260hp the top speed we had with a light boat is 34 knots but loaded i get around 30knots i cruise at around 20 24 allday, we have all ready been across the channel 6 times this year in allsorts of weather, the boat copes no problem, my wife and i sleep in the aft cabin no problems and we are not size 0. i have turned down £40,000 for my boat as it is not for sale. i am a pro skipper and deliver all sorts of boat all over the place, so i dont think you will be disapionted if i can be of any help , you can email me on dks1955@hotmail.co.uk

 

[Sneds]

Yes, this boat started life with twin petrol engines.
So I guess some major work has been caried out.