Fairline Targa 34 ,37 ,39 or Cranchi Zaffiro 34. Which to buy ?

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Eldora

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Hi all, I currently have a Targa 27 with Volvo D3s and am thinking of upgrading. Anyone able to offer advice or personal experience of the above regarding handling in Solent chop and trips along the south coast as the other half has started to get a bit nervous and thinks she would feel safer in a larger boat. Budget approx. £85,000. Thanks.
 
All of those will handle the Solent, plus channel and West Country without issue.

I'd add to the list the Cranchi Smeraldo 37 as well.
Obviously the Targa 38/39 is the oldest boat in your list, followed by the 37 and then 34.
The Zaffiro 34 started in 1997 and was in production until 2008/09 so predates the T34 and post dates it as well
The Smeraldo was I think first produced in 1995 but could have been early 1996

I would buy on condition over anything else as all those boats are of a muchness. The targa 37 and 34 are arguably the prettiest boats if you are an aesthetic kind of person. For your money I'd be looking at a late D4 engined Zaffiro 34 with the wood interior
 
I am looking at boats in the same price bracket.

Friends of ours had a T37 last year which got us hooked on looking at Fairline Targa's - they quickly traded up to a T40 (but added £50k+ to do so). Their T37 is now on the market by the subsequent owner at approx 30% more than they paid for it last year which seems to indicate that there is an increase in pricing the market for used boats. Having said that it hasn't sold so maybe will find its own level to ultimately sell.

We have agreed a deal on a 2005 T34 with KAD300's for less than your budget but it does need some cosmetic TLC and servicing work. Equivalent late-ish T34's with KAD300's seem to be holding their money (Ancasta have a 2006 at £115k) so I would guess that you might typically be looking at a slightly earlier one with KAD44's for £85k. There was a very tidy T34 at Hythe that we looked at recently (now under offer I believe) for £87k which was a 2001 which I would have happily bought had I not agreed a deal on the 2005 boat that we have found.

The only drawbacks on the T34 (mkII) layout compared to the T37 I think is the saloon / galley feeling a little tighter, the forward cabin bed being at an angle and the rear cabin being more limited for head room. Up in the cockpit though I think they are equally spacious and the newer engine / equipment on the T34 swung it for me.

Having said all of that I can see us trading up to a T40 if I can find one next season.

We did look at a Cranchi Zaffiro 34 but didn't like it as much as the Fairline Targa's.
 
I would imagine that you would get more boat for your money with Cranchi.

I had a 33 endurance ( giant speed boat) and the build quality was very good.

The sole snag was selling it as it was a med brand not a Uk brand - which reflects the value for money .
 
The endurance were a bit niche for the uk it's true.
However the Zaffiro 34 sold very well in the uk (I don't know exact numbers but you'll find at least one example in most marinas) so resale on the Z34 should be easy enough. The Smeraldo is less well known but that does mean when you buy you don't pay much more for a bigger boat.

T34 wise you are looking at a 2001/02 boat for your cash, with KAD44/300 motors. A 2006/08 Z34 is possible with the much smoother and better D4 engines hence my recommendation. That said the T34/37 are classics in the looks department but then your on it, not looking at it
 
36 Smeraldo started production in 1993 and in mid 1998 it became the 37 with extended bathing platform and then produced till 2005.
A nice boat but a bit of hurdle in following seas, though very capable in head seas at around the 18 knots mark.
Total of 500 plus 36/37 Smeraldos where build.

Best sea boat in this list would be the 38/39 Targa which has the same hull as the 40 (2000 - 07).
They are not speed demons with the Kad 42s 230hp but okay for 32/33 knots max and 25 knots cruise if engines and drives are in order.
I personally think the 39 Targa produced from 1996 to 1998/99 is Fairlines most ever beautiful boat.
 
PowerYachtBlog said:
36 Smeraldo started production in 1993 and in mid 1998 it became the 37 with extended bathing platform and then produced till 2005.
A nice boat but a bit of hurdle in following seas, though very capable in head seas at around the 18 knots mark.
Total of 500 plus 36/37 Smeraldos where build.

Best sea boat in this list would be the 38/39 Targa which has the same hull as the 40 (2000 - 07).
They are not speed demons with the Kad 42s 230hp but okay for 32/33 knots max and 25 knots cruise if engines and drives are in order.
I personally think the 39 Targa produced from 1996 to 1998/99 is Fairlines most ever beautiful boat.
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Ciao, I' m going to buy a Targa 39 with VP Kad 42 231hp. I was afraid that the 231hp engines are not enough for that boat, that I really like so much. My usually cruise speed would be at 20/21Kn. do you know at how much rpm I could have that speed? I have never had the opportunity to drive this boat, and the test will be only after the first payment. Thank very much
 
Probably not of interest to you, but a HUGE bonus with the Smeraldo 37 is the space in the engine bay. Normal (and even not so normal) tasks are a doddle due to the fact you can actually move in the engine bay. This is one of the main reasons I do not want to change boats and I suspect i'll have my Smeraldo 37 for years to come.

As an example, I had to change the exhaust manifold gaskets last winter. It was not a tough task at all.... Remove supercharger / exhaust manifold / turbo etc.... all easily done. If space was tighter, I imagine it would have been a pig of a job.

KAD42 came with it's own issues, which i'm not familiar with. The KAD43 seems to be the best of the bunch here. I have KAD300's and after a day of using the fly-by-wire throttles, I was converted!
 
CrisTorri said:
Ciao, I' m going to buy a Targa 39 with VP Kad 42 231hp. I was afraid that the 231hp engines are not enough for that boat, that I really like so much. My usually cruise speed would be at 20/21Kn. do you know at how much rpm I could have that speed? I have never had the opportunity to drive this boat, and the test will be only after the first payment. Thank very much
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Our T39 on KAD 42 sweet spot was 3200 rpm 23knots, boat felt very comfortable and stable at this pace in F4, head or following sea .
 
petem said:
I think you mean "not CURRENTLY available".

ECU's do fail but this relatively rare.
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Agree but somehow VP have got through all their replacement stock.
I am just giving my personal advice to be taken with all the other views.
As an example my 2002 vintage S37 with both 43 and 44 available, until the ECU supply is resolved I couldn’t recommend the 44.
There are other reasons like ease of maintenance ( for diy’ers) with simpler valve arrangement and not having to take off the injector pipes off to do it but these are minor.
 
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CrisTorri said:
Ciao, I' m going to buy a Targa 39 with VP Kad 42 231hp. I was afraid that the 231hp engines are not enough for that boat, that I really like so much. My usually cruise speed would be at 20/21Kn. do you know at how much rpm I could have that speed? I have never had the opportunity to drive this boat, and the test will be only after the first payment. Thank very much
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What sold this VP outdrive boat to you arguably under powered ,factoring in seasonal growth over a shaft drive equivalent.
Pershing 37 or Itama 38 ?
Both of theses will cruse nearer 30 knots not 20 .You will sleep easier with a pair of CATs or Yanmars .Why opt into to aged VP outdrives and we’ll documented on this forum and many others associated woes ?
 
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