Fairline Targa 33 Tri Cab

[Whitelighter]

Other than being solid boats, is there anything major with these that one should look out for.

You see a few advertised as a 'curved windscreen' model - other than this obviuos cosmetic difference, is there much else to shout about. Most seem to have AD41's - I guess crusing with these engines is around 23-24knts with 30knt just about doable on a good day.

Interested to hear any comments.

 

[KevB]

The 33 has no transom door which is a pain. Old 34's or 35's which are all based on the same design have transom doors and have a bit more modern cockpit seating. I known a few people who have had 33's and they have all been very solid and seaworthy boats

 

[Wiggo]

The majority of 33's are rather angular, though seem to be very good sea boats. There are a few later ones with a curved screen that look more modern, but they are rare. As Kev says, the lack of a transom gate is a pain on these boats, and the canopy design means that the cockpit seats are unusable with the canopy up (the radar arch faces forward making for a very shallow angle in the canopy from the transom forward and hence no head room).

And I don't think they're actually tri-cabs either - forward master, midships cabin tucked under the cockpit and a convertible saloon.

 

[Whitelighter]

The later boats do have two seperate cabins with doors and bulkheads and a bigish saloon.

Interesting point about the canopy - I wonder if that could be modified/changed with the addition of a new SS structure

 

[Wiggo]

Yes, but two sleeping cabins, not 3. And you can modify the canopy - Hagrid (formerly of this parish) had one done a few years ago.

 

[ians]

Jezz
I had one for about a year, 1990 model with square front screen.
As Kebb says, no transom door which is a pain, also if you are tall , Im 6 foot and realy cracked my head while helming in some rough stuff on the radar arch.

Rear canopy, have seen alot altered with new struts to raise the canopy to give more room in the cockpit, spoils the lines of the boat but is more practical.

Not too bad below, mine only had one deck hatch above the forward cabin bed, so it was always quiet dark in the galley. think the later models may have had this standard fitted.

Fitted with ad41s mine would do 34 knots flat out, was a nice boat, bit light on the nose but other than that ok.

They also look alot better when they have had all the stripes removed.

Regards

ians

 

[Whitelighter]

Yes, though I think the orginal 33 (Non Tri Cab) had a hop in berth open to the saloon. The later boats have an offset berth forward with a bulhead and door.

I guess the tri cab is forward, saloon and mid cabin, rather than three sleeping cabins and a saloon

 

[ians]

Wiggo

yes hagrid had my old boat , wonder what he is doing now

Ians

 

[Wiggo]

Not boating. He's out in Dubai working much of the time.

 

[ians]

Graham
Cheers for that, was a decent bloke, persume he must of sold the Targa 39 if think he had after the 33

Ians

 

[Wiggo]

Yes, long gone, sadly for him. He qualified as a Powerboat Instructor and was going to buy a RIB, but work got in the way.

 

[ari]

Depends which "33" you mean. The earlier one (started mid 80's started life with a two cabin layout (mid cabin, saloon, and double in the bows you had to climb over the settee to get to) but quickly became a tri cab (separate fwd cabin with offset double, dinette moved to u shape on port side opposite galley, same aft cabin arrangement).

However they brought out a tri cab Targa 30 in about 1990 with a similar internal arrangement except the forecabin was tiny (they even fitted a removable section to the double bed so you could have a single with a bit more floor space). This boat was more modern, curved screen, higher topsides, transom door, integral platform etc.

Then around '91 they replaced the old 33 with a 34 (same internals but modern design, raked back arch, curved screen, transom door, integral platform). It was the 33 with a major facelift.

Then in '92 they re-positioned the range making the 34 a 35, and making the smaller 30 a 33.

So there are two Targa 33's, but the newer style one is a much smaller boat.

As to the old 33 (I'm guessing that's the one you mean), great boat. Too full in the bow so very slammy into a head sea (and you can't trim it down enough to help) but terrific in beam or following seas. Forward arch not a problem, most had camper canopies so square back giving headroom throughout cockpit. Went well with the AQAD 41's most had (some were petrol V8's!), about 33 knots flat out, 12GPH at cruise.

Lovely all rounder, dated enough to be almost classic looking now.

 

[Chill]

Hi Jez

Great boat we have had our 1989 Tricabin for just over 2 years, had a new canopy last year with frame in so you can sit outside with the hood up (which we have neen doing alot this summer) Double cabins front and rear a decent size saloon which also makes a double. We use her on the Thames the twin AD41s are on the button and having outdrives is a must for us as we can moor in very little water.
A great first boat if you were interested I have seen a targa 38 so could do you a good deal if interested.

Geoff

Pics of her on www.boatenders.co.uk

 

[volvopaul]

Are you thinking of taking one in a part ex???? look out for leaking fuel tank, if so its engines out!! to remove it, also if the calorifier leaks you cant get it out as it was put in before the engines!, yes they knew how to build them in those days.

Old 41 engines some had 40b 165 too are all getting on a bit now so look out for worn h frames on the legs and pivot points worn out too, new transom shields if they are, though I have a mod to take out the play in the pin holes in the shield.

Look at forward bulk heads they come apart there too if they are driven like you like to drive em!! sorry coudnt resist that one.

Good all rounder looked at plenty myself pay mid 40s for a 1989 one with 200 hp 41s.

 

[Questor]

[ QUOTE ]
Not boating. He's out in Dubai working much of the time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Was chatting to him a few days ago. Not sure that he's totally happy about being in Dubai minus wifey & kids. In fact I wondered if he was too happy full stop.

 

[Wiggo]

Agreed. He's back at home now, FWIW, but only for a few days.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

[ QUOTE ]
Depends which "33" you mean. The earlier one (started mid 80's started life with a two cabin layout (mid cabin, saloon, and double in the bows you had to climb over the settee to get to) but quickly became a tri cab (separate fwd cabin with offset double, dinette moved to u shape on port side opposite galley, same aft cabin arrangement).

However they brought out a tri cab Targa 30 in about 1990 with a similar internal arrangement except the forecabin was tiny (they even fitted a removable section to the double bed so you could have a single with a bit more floor space). This boat was more modern, curved screen, higher topsides, transom door, integral platform etc.

Then around '91 they replaced the old 33 with a 34 (same internals but modern design, raked back arch, curved screen, transom door, integral platform). It was the 33 with a major facelift.

Then in '92 they re-positioned the range making the 34 a 35, and making the smaller 30 a 33.

So there are two Targa 33's, but the newer style one is a much smaller boat.

As to the old 33 (I'm guessing that's the one you mean), great boat. Too full in the bow so very slammy into a head sea (and you can't trim it down enough to help) but terrific in beam or following seas. Forward arch not a problem, most had camper canopies so square back giving headroom throughout cockpit. Went well with the AQAD 41's most had (some were petrol V8's!), about 33 knots flat out, 12GPH at cruise.

Lovely all rounder, dated enough to be almost classic looking now.

[/ QUOTE ]

perfect

old 33 is a very fine boat
I think difference from 34/35 model is also spray rails and a bit of a longer hull
34/35 takes heads seas better in fact

calling it 3 cabin is infact misunderstanding as it in fact 4 + 2 arrangement where before it was more of an open plan layout with the same facilities
as most Fairline I would check for some water leaks from exterior fittings (port holes, hatches, cleats, railing etc) and very important the rubbing strake
they also do water in the engine room from the air intakes being low in the water sometimes you find engines full of spray
this problem is also part of all 30/33 and 34/35

Fairline in MBY boat report of 1990 promised a modification on 30/33 but my friends have 1994 and 1996 models with still the same problem, of find some salt on engines in beam seas

 

[Waters reach]

I have a Fairline Targa 33 1990 for sale if anyone wants one , currently up for sale at Tingdene marina Walton , ask for Mike or Jake . Full details are on there website, and others, All the time ive owned her she's been a lovely boat, never had an issue getting on or off I actually find it easier than having a transom door ( I had a Targa 27 with a transom door ) as the built in transom sides go right to the end of the transom, so stepping off while in a lock was a little tricky. I'm only selling as I now have a Targa 38 I love the build quality the extra wide gunwall .On my 33 the canopy had a full ss frame around the back making all of the stern seating usable . I can provide photos if anyone wants . Or have a look on Tingdene website.

 

[Waters reach]

Also I've found on the Fairline Targa 33 1990 the build quality is really good certainly the gelcoat is really thick and polishes up really really well