Flybridge to targa.

Covers

The same as others. We don't use the cockpit covers through the season or very rarely. We might put one side on if we are moored and the breeze is up and the rain is blowing right in - but not very often. The only cover we keep on regularly in the FB one and thats left off if we are down for a week or so and constantly on the boat. Its mainly done to keep the Seagulls off when we are not there.
 
Fairline Targa 43

Hi Paul,
If you ever fancy taking my targa out for the day feel free - chances are I will be putting it up for sale soon anyway as I am not getting the chance to use it .... give me a ring.
Danny
 
This is a subject I've torn myself apart with over the past 12 months or so.
All the time I would go for a sports targa type boat, quick and sport boaty to drive & a bit easier on fuel as and when required.
However, wifey says the open boat is fine in warmer climes but she wouldn't go out too far in UK in the targa so why don't we go for "one of them with an upstairs bit then it's ok for all weathers and Mr and Mrs So and So can come along as well". She says this whilst pointing and fancying 500 grands worth of gin palace.
So I think when my time comes (now business is looking up again) we would go for a 1998 ish 35-40ish ft fb for use in and around uk and rent, charter, borrow as we have done when abroad somewhere nice and warm. I'm now looking a broadest beams so I can get as big a rib as poss on the back for tear arsing about, discovering 'little places' and use as a tender also.

It's all down to personal circumstances and as you have done the fb bit go for a change you can always get another if it's a no go, there's no limit!
 
I moved to a Sports Cruiser this year & am very happy with the concept. Very large social area particularly under way as it's warm & dry even in the worst of weather; just a touch of a button. Also the h.elm has a very clear view forward and v comfortable for 8 or more! SWMBO loves the sunbed and I like a tender garage.

BBQ also a great social advantage, as part of the package we had a heater outlet put in plus a 240 v plug for a fan heater, either keeps the whole area warm easily.
 
Paul,
As you know I've just gone from a Phantom to a V40.

My thoughts are...


Pro's for the V40 (sports cruisers in general)

I love the handling and nimbleness of the V40.
I like the fuel consumption.
I like the looks
I like feeling younger in a sports boat.
Probably cheaper to service and maintain.

Cons'

I hate the canvas on a sports cruiser.
Sitting in the cockpit is cold in this country 90% of the time with our climate.
I dislike the dungeon feel of the downstairs accomodation with no view out.
Lack of space for a comparable length boat.

Pro's flybridge

Fab view from the saloon looking out.
Softer ride in lumpy water.
Good view from the fly


Cons'

I certainly don't miss been blown about on the flybridge.
I don't miss the tank like handling qualities of a flybridge.
Heavier maintenance and fuel costs.
Take forever to wash and polish.

So as you can see the sports cruiser theme wins hands down over a flybridge.

Just my pennies worth.

.
 
crazy4557 said:
Paul,
As you know I've just gone from a Phantom to a V40.

My thoughts are...


Pro's for the V40 (sports cruisers in general)

I love the handling and nimbleness of the V40.
I like the fuel consumption.
I like the looks
I like feeling younger in a sports boat.
Probably cheaper to service and maintain.

Cons'

I hate the canvas on a sports cruiser.
Sitting in the cockpit is cold in this country 90% of the time with our climate.
I dislike the dungeon feel of the downstairs accomodation with no view out.
Lack of space for a comparable length boat.

Pro's flybridge

Fab view from the saloon looking out.
Softer ride in lumpy water.
Good view from the fly


Cons'

I certainly don't miss been blown about on the flybridge.
I don't miss the tank like handling qualities of a flybridge.
Heavier maintenance and fuel costs.
Take forever to wash and polish.

So as you can see the sports cruiser theme wins hands down over a flybridge.

Just my pennies worth.

.
Click to expand...

Andy, I have been waiting for you to come along and put in your £ worth well done, we just need brian to get mine sold now.

Ive just got to try one , if I can get one as cheap as john T43 then it wont be a mistake, I dont mind the canvas, though a hardtop would be nice (windy 43), yes at my age id still like to feel alive too!!
 
volvopaul said:
Andy, I have been waiting for you to come along and put in your £ worth well done, we just need brian to get mine sold now.


Sorry for the late addition Paul but I've moved to Lymington and no broadband as yet (thanks BT you are incredibly useless)

If anyone can get your boat sold then it will be Brian...good luck.

I like the Targa 43 though nice boat with excellent sea manners. It looks 'well planted' if you get what I mean...it's that shaft driven boat look. Getting to be cracking value nowadays though....
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Sports boats are splendid for one person only ...the chap at the wheel ...normally the owner of course..for everybody else purgatory.The owner gets something to cling on to (steering wheel) while bouncing along,he gets the forecabin and will be rarely be down below trying to prepare a meal.

As for that social seating...yea right ...you try staying in that daft circular seating when under way,and always interesting and amusing watching your guests trying to cling onto the aft sunpad on the T43 while the skipper demonstrates his macho manliness and opens the throttles,the nose goes up and the bathing beauties start sliding towards the swim platform and the swirling delights beyond. :)
 
oldgit said:
Sports boats are splendid for one person only ...the chap at the wheel ...normally the owner of course..for everybody else purgatory.The owner gets something to cling on to (steering wheel) while bouncing along,he gets the forecabin and will be rarely be down below trying to prepare a meal.

As for that social seating...yea right ...you try staying in that daft circular seating when under way,and always interesting and amusing watching your guests trying to cling onto the aft sunpad on the T43 while the skipper demonstrates his macho manliness and opens the throttles,the nose goes up and the bathing beauties start sliding towards the swim platform and the swirling delights beyond. :)
Click to expand...
roflbot-8p4J.jpg
 
Im surprised to hear how many peeps dont like sports boats, there selling a lot faster than twin engined flybridge boats, some dealers cant get enough of them to sell, especially abroad, there a big hit in the colder climates of scandanavia too.
 
volvopaul said:
Im surprised to hear how many peeps dont like sports boats
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Fwiw, I just loooooove sport boats.
In fact, I disagree with oldgit when he says that the boats which are being discussed are splendid for one person only ...the chap at the wheel.
When comparing F/Bs with the so called sport boats whose performance actually means just a few knots more and a very slightly better handling (if any), the difference in the "driving" experience is definitely not worth giving up the other f/b advantages.
The only reason why FL Targa, Princess V, Predators and so forth are called sport boats is that they're targeted to boaters who don't have a clue about what driving a true sport boat really means.
 
What happened to roger rat ? he would be ideal to pass comment.

Didnt he have a FB in sparks then change to a sports boat ?
 
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DAKA said:
Doesnt the fast turn around tell you anything ?

Peeps buy into the dream, might have a good season or two in a sheltered river/bay.
Decide to head further

France, CI, IOM get caught out in a GF4-5, get soaked and thats it retire to a Motorhome.........


Ive seen it time and time again, there are times when I wish I had a sports boat but then I remember what it was like being storm bound week after week, sat in the velour coffin going mad !

At least in a fb you can look out and see when it stops raining !

You know how big the waves look sometimes from your fb, have you ever gone into your cockpit (sports boat level ) and seen how much bigger they look :eek:

Anyway back to the subject.........fb owners keep their boats for much longer than the sports boats and get longer seasons.


What happened to roger rat ?

Didnt he have a FB in sparks then change to a sports boat ?
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Hmmm. I had my T37 for two seasons; the P42 for eight months, and I'm currently in my third season with the T40.

Rogerrat had a Phantom 40 I think, and then a Targa 40. Last I heard he was in Hythe. Gjgm may know more.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
Hmmm. I had my T37 for two seasons; the P42 for eight months, and I'm currently in my third season with the T40.

Rogerrat had a Phantom 40 I think, and then a Targa 40. Last I heard he was in Hythe. Gjgm may know more.

Cheers
Jimmy
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OK , Il back off, having re read VP post he is talking about a very large sports boat and I accept I havent skippered anything over 37ft, its possible some of the bigger boats are as tall as a small fb anyway.
 
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jimmy_the_builder said:
Hmmm. I had my T37 for two seasons; the P42 for eight months, and I'm currently in my third season with the T40.

Rogerrat had a Phantom 40 I think, and then a Targa 40. Last I heard he was in Hythe. Gjgm may know more.

Cheers
Jimmy
Click to expand...

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!
 
mateyboy said:
I think theres sports boats and sports boats like Hunton rs43, fountain 48 express cruiser or Similar.
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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! :)
 
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...

If you are going to pay £8k -£10k to berth a caravan may as well make it a bigen, fb surely wins the space argument which puts a few extra gallons during a short season into perspective,
 
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I have a small FB, when buying the boat the idea of helming outside, or helming inside if the weather was grim was a buying factor, also the choice of eating inside or outside.
I really like the look of hard top sports cruisers, but I'am not fan of canvas covering up a really good looking boat.
David
 
David of Essex said:
I have a small FB, when buying the boat the idea of helming outside, or helming inside if the weather was grim was a buying factor, also the choice of eating inside or outside.
I really like the look of hard top sports cruisers, but I'am not fan of canvas covering up a really good looking boat.
David
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+1 echoes our thoughts too. That and being able to see out easily from all the seating areas.
 
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