Flybridge to targa.

MapisM said:
LOL, not even those are true sport boats, in my books. It's not by chance that Fountain called that model "cruiser".
No to mention the Baia, with her "exhilarating near 40 knot performance"...
I know a builder of wooden flybridges which can do better! :)
Click to expand...

Lmfao, oh Soz I didn't realise we were calling off shore racing boats sports boats or something with twin 1200 mtu's or a mangusta 108 a sports boat!
 
Well, it doesn't take a racing boat to suit my idea of a sport boat.
But with anything floating which doesn't require to be driven, and just demand to be helmed - or not even that, 'cause she's fine with the A/P - I really can't see where the "sport" part is.
The Mangusta 108 is a perfect example: you don't think you would ever use the steering wheel and throttle while cruising such thingie, do you? :)
 
If I had a Mangusta 108 I'd be sat at the back supping pimms and snorting charlie with the rest of em! But I know what you mean.
 
Hard top with a fully enclosed saloon is the way to go. All the benefits of a sports cruiser with none of the bad weather penalties.
 
volvopaul said:
Hi Jimmy I thought he had sold "houston",

After reading latest issue of MBY and the EU proposal to have us all using white diesel as soon as they can talk our stupid goverment into following suit, the more MPG a boat will do the better before the South coast marinas become caravan parks!
Click to expand...
Thought Mr Rat was there the other week, so if Houston is sold, I think it must be very recently. Not sure he wasnt on Yankee this w/end, but I cant see as far as A Basin !
BTW, have you ever seen an open Typhoon..wifey likes the Typhoon, but I cant stand the side view of the hardtop !
 
Hi Paul

we have had a few princess f/b and found them great apart from them being unsocial when on the flybridge and having to go through the hatch and not knowing what was going on below.
we have found our new boat a great change, its a pearl a/c and there are only a few steps to the f/b and its much more sociable.
good luck in your search but imho i would rather a f/b every time.
 
Sportsboats everyday for me

I have had 2 FB's and 7 sp's. Currently an FB owner, mainly due to family pressure (they like the FB's)...I love the SB's for all of the reasons mentioned but also, the fact that you dont need to worry too much about bridge hieghts.

I think the Fb's win mainly on noise. Its much quieter on the FB when underway and the SB's do drone on a bit.

I also like the cosy SB "dungeon" its main attraction being its V private. I do get fed up with being stared at in the FB in St Kats..and if you have to put the curtains up and close the blinds it feels darker than an SB saloon.

The SB's also look fab. I have loved every one and enjoyed just looking at the swoopy lines etc. However, the FB's just dont give me that rush...they all look top heavy ..until you get to about 60ft that is. Mind you a 60ft sb would still be sexier than a 60ft fb in my book.
 
Sorry if this is abit long – but it’s my thoughts on what has already been discussed. We changed our Princess 430 F/B (we had her for 8 seasons) for a Targa 47 at the end of last year. The canvas thing does not really add up for us as there was a lot more on the Princess. The Targa is a hard top so the only canvass is at the back and is equivalent to removing the cockpit canvass on the Princess. I think most seem to be comparing with the full canvas topped “sportsboats” for which we would not have changed.

What got us interested in the Targa was when cruising with a couple of them last year, is that we now wear t-shirts and shorts whilst on the flybridge, even on the best of days we had to wrap with waterproofs if crossing the channel or making long passages. If it gets a bit ruff we shut the roof and put the windscreen wipers on – and if really cold we have heating! We plan to cruise a lot more in the winter months next year due to this.

The helm position on the Targa is a lot better (higher) than the internal helm on the flybridge (the Princess was quite low and you could not see over the bow unless you put quite a lot of tabs down). It is not as good as being on a flybridge because you still have some blind spots but we are used to these now. The visibility was our biggest concern especially when berthing (and travelling out of the Hamble/Solent on a busy weekend!!) but it is just a case of just being aware and getting used to it.

The saloon seating is not to everyones cup of tea – but we find it quite a nice place to go and sit on dark winter’s nights and watch telly. Most of the time we use the cockpit space – we have a TV we can put up there and also cook using the griddle and sink there (keeps the cooking smells out of the accommodation areas). If it’s cold you keep the roof shut and put the heating on, if its sunny but windy, we can open the roof and enjoy the sun but not get blown about like we used to on the F/B.

It is probably an unfair comparison on the handling as the Targa has a much longer waterline length and is a much bigger boat (48ft compared to 44ft). We now cruise at 26/27 knots instead of the 20 knots of the Princess and can still do so in much worse conditions than we would be sat on the Flybridge.

At this point we would not go back to a flybridge. I think it is down purely to what you want from your boating. The flybridge internal accommodation is far better but the Targa’s external seating is by far more sociable. The berths for the Targa are separated by the saloon where as on the Princess the bedrooms where separated by a thin wall. The handling and performace is better on the Targa but the visibility is better on the flybridge. I think its best to try both and then make your decision.

We loved our Princess but have now moved on – well for now anyway……
 
P430 said:
Sorry if this is abit long – but it’s my thoughts on what has already been discussed. We changed our Princess 430 F/B (we had her for 8 seasons) for a Targa 47 at the end of last year. The canvas thing does not really add up for us as there was a lot more on the Princess. The Targa is a hard top so the only canvass is at the back and is equivalent to removing the cockpit canvass on the Princess. I think most seem to be comparing with the full canvas topped “sportsboats” for which we would not have changed.

What got us interested in the Targa was when cruising with a couple of them last year, is that we now wear t-shirts and shorts whilst on the flybridge, even on the best of days we had to wrap with waterproofs if crossing the channel or making long passages. If it gets a bit ruff we shut the roof and put the windscreen wipers on – and if really cold we have heating! We plan to cruise a lot more in the winter months next year due to this.

The helm position on the Targa is a lot better (higher) than the internal helm on the flybridge (the Princess was quite low and you could not see over the bow unless you put quite a lot of tabs down). It is not as good as being on a flybridge because you still have some blind spots but we are used to these now. The visibility was our biggest concern especially when berthing (and travelling out of the Hamble/Solent on a busy weekend!!) but it is just a case of just being aware and getting used to it.

The saloon seating is not to everyones cup of tea – but we find it quite a nice place to go and sit on dark winter’s nights and watch telly. Most of the time we use the cockpit space – we have a TV we can put up there and also cook using the griddle and sink there (keeps the cooking smells out of the accommodation areas). If it’s cold you keep the roof shut and put the heating on, if its sunny but windy, we can open the roof and enjoy the sun but not get blown about like we used to on the F/B.

It is probably an unfair comparison on the handling as the Targa has a much longer waterline length and is a much bigger boat (48ft compared to 44ft). We now cruise at 26/27 knots instead of the 20 knots of the Princess and can still do so in much worse conditions than we would be sat on the Flybridge.

At this point we would not go back to a flybridge. I think it is down purely to what you want from your boating. The flybridge internal accommodation is far better but the Targa’s external seating is by far more sociable. The berths for the Targa are separated by the saloon where as on the Princess the bedrooms where separated by a thin wall. The handling and performace is better on the Targa but the visibility is better on the flybridge. I think its best to try both and then make your decision.

We loved our Princess but have now moved on – well for now anyway……
Click to expand...

Thankyou, at last a decent explanation, a p430 was on our list too.
 
I think you know where I sit on this one, having chartered both and then bought a sportsboat.

There are pro's and con's, neither is perfect, so I don't really understand the black or white tone of some of the replies (though interestingly it is the f/b boys who seem to protest too much).

* I always know where everyone is, something that I find adds to being relaxed.

* The helm seems higher (don't know if this is true) than the inside helm on an f/b. We waved to a 36ft f/b on the way up the Hamble yesterday and only after we passed them did I realise we were pretty much at the same height.

* We go out in all weathers, including winter, and rarely wear more than a fleece. If it rains, shut the roof, if it is sunny leave it open. If it gets a fraction chilly shut it for 30mins, then open again. If it is cold, switch on the heating. Here's a thing, I don't even have full-on wet weather gear on the boat anymore. I own it, but I don't need it.

* Swmbo and I like the saloon, cos it is cosy, private and feels different to sitting up top. We have two socialising areas we can use year-round.

* Little faffing with covers. We can change from winter to summer covers in 5 mins, never mind roll them up and down, which is a moments work.

* No climbing up and down ladders or steps with snacks and drinks.

* Only one set of controls/instruments.

* The speed and handling. I am sure there are enjoyable f/b's, I've never been on one. But the V48 or Targa 52 (and I'm pretty sure T40, or V53, or T38) are an utter delight. It is a joy to swoop from lock to lock. You don't do it often, usually it is all straight lines, but it still brings a warm glow.

* The ease of berthing. SWMBO is now a master at the lines and has us secure in short order (she actively discourages help cos she has her system) but being so close by if she needs help adds to the confidence to try new destinations.

*The cost. The sq ft accomodation on an f/b is larger for the length for sure, but s/b's compensate by being cheaper to buy. I suspect we also burn less fuel.

* I like the tender to be tucked safely away in a garage.

* SWMBO and Daughter#1 dislike being perched on a roof, they don't like being high up nor the more pronounced rolling.

* The looks. Bigger f/b's carry it off, but small ones tend towards the caravan-on-the-water look.

All IMHO.
 
I can see that there are merits for both boats having read all of the posts but it is very subjective and it is up to the individual.

I reckon that there is only one real solution to this one Paul, buy one and live with it for a couple of seasons and make your own mind up, There is only you that will know if its for you or not!

It sounds like you need to get it out of your system lol
 
Not many have mentioned the engine noise in the cockpit of an SC. I used to go out on trips with two guys on there Targa 37, one did the driving and spent most of the time standing up peering over the screen.
I and the other guy attempted to have a normal conversation but were reduced to shouting to each other, and thats with the covers off, so I imagine if the covers are closed due to big seas or rain, it may be louder. Oh and the helmsman could'nt join in the conversation either, as the two of us retreated as far aft as poss, in an attempt to loose the noise.

They came out on my F36 FB, sat with me at the helm on the fly, and marvelled at a) how we could all hear each other b) what little helm input was needed to keep her on course compared with stern drives, and c) what a wonderfull 360 degree view we had from the fly.

One other obvious advantage is that when it gets rough and wet, we all retire inside and shut the doors, so when its rough I have all passengers within sight for safety.
We maintain all round vision in a bright saloon, put the stereo, heating and kettle on, oh and wipers and Autopilot sorted. On a route across to African last year we even put the AC on how civilised is that.

The one thing the SC has is a more exciting helming experience when you want to turn quickly, that said we spend most of the time with the AP on going in a straight line.

My old P56 had ponderous slow steering , but the P61 I used to skipper for charter actually banked in the turns, great hull
 
I have to agree that the Targa 47 is noisier (engines) than being on the flybridge of our P430 but we can still hold conversations as we have seating opposite the twin helm seat. With the roof shut we do not get the wind noise as we did on the flybridge. The flybridge was also noisier when helmed from the internal helm.

I think as ours is on shafts and not legs the handling is better than the flybridge but I could not comment on the handling of a "sportscruiser" on outdrives as I have not driven one for years.

Just my thoughts

Neil
 
Its no good, I cant keep silent any more, Paul please dont read this, its not aimed at you.

This is not designed to be either for or against SB/FB it just disappoints me that some of the FB owners feel they are missing out on SB performance which can be rectified at minimal cost...........

For the authentic sports boat sensation all you need to do is stand up at the helm and ask one of your kids to chuck buckets of salt water in your face :)

Once the salt gets into your eyes and you cant see where the hell you going or when the next wave is going to hit you it will feel like you are going much faster than you are and the memories will soon start coming back to you ;)


edit

nearly forgot sorry

Best chuck an odd bucket at swmbo too, just to see that 'look' again, you know the one I mean, the silent one which sort of shouts.........
you twasock , what the hell do you think you were doing bringing me out in this ;)
 
Last edited:
DAKA said:
Its no good, I cant keep silent any more, Paul please dont read this, its not aimed at you.

This is not designed to be either for or against SB/FB it just disappoints me that some of the FB owners feel they are missing out on SB performance which can be rectified at minimal cost...........

For the authentic sports boat sensation all you need to do is stand up at the helm and ask one of your kids to chuck buckets of salt water in your face :)

Once the salt gets into your eyes and you cant see where the hell you going or when the next wave is going to hit you it will feel like you are going much faster than you are and the memories will soon start coming back to you ;)


edit

nearly forgot sorry

Best chuck an odd bucket at swmbo too, just to see that 'look' again, you know the one I mean, the silent one which sort of shouts.........
you twasock , what the hell do you think you were doing bringing me out in this ;)
Click to expand...

Thants more like pete a bit of humour into this thread!!

On a sadder note, my sale has fallen through so its back to the drawing board just found out this morning, which make sme feel even more towards a sports boat as mid 90s flybridge boats just seem to be hanging around for a long time for sale.

Part ex anyone?
 
Last edited:
Silly question time but is there such a thing as a genuine sports flybridge?
Good hull, plenty of power giving the best of both worlds. I can only think of the Botnia Targa but it looks alternative and interiors are old hat.
 
Last edited:
Paul probably daft of me to ask but are the dealers interested in a px or are they shying away from buying in used stock? I know it's a granny sucking eggs question but I was curious if they're low balling peeps that want out of a boat.
 
mid 90s flybridge boats just seem to be hanging around for a long time for sale.

very true Paul my P560 mid nineties, took a long time and went for a very good price, well good for the buyer. Out of interest has your mid nineties Princess got the troublesome ss/ali windows mine had?
 
Renegade_Master said:
mid 90s flybridge boats just seem to be hanging around for a long time for sale.

very true Paul my P560 mid nineties, took a long time and went for a very good price, well good for the buyer. Out of interest has your mid nineties Princess got the troublesome ss/ali windows mine had?
Click to expand...

It has got the stainless frames with alloy bits in but they dont leak, you just get the powder build up, so I just wipe them with a damp cloth now and then, best lefdt alone until they start leaking, that will probably be in about 20 years time as princess boats dont flex unlike other uk makes of boat that do suffer from leaks not long after they leave the factory. Enough said.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top