Formula 34 or Fairline Targa 27 for coastal use around North Wales?

[Sneds]

Never heard a bad word against either, me, I would take the windy maybe the AdA31p,s that power my 28 footer are a little under powered in the Targa to do what you want?
Have you taken either boat out yet?
Proof of the pudding etc, seems like you are edging towards the windy?
Got any pics?

 

[Sneds]

The dry weight of the targa is 3.5 tonne, fill her with fuel, water, people and all the usual stuff that fill boats ie beer, wine, tins of beans and hotdog sausages, coats n hats, fishing gear etc and that weight will increase considerably.
Is she the 1989 one advertised? Guess those engines will loose a few horses over those extra 12 yeras or so, another vote for the windy?

 

[BruceK]

I'm not sure i want to put photos up and potentially ruin a reputation of a boat that I no longer have an interest in but is still for sale. But yes. All the boats i am looking at are circa early 90's. I just dont have the budget unless I drop down to the 25 foot class to shave 10 years off and then they are too small again. In that class I tried Regals, the Antares 760, sealine S23 etc and to be honest the cuddy has a bigger cockpit so no go.

 

[BruceK]

Yes I have taken both out. But both were trialed on flat calm water which doesn't demonstrate their rough water capabilities. The Targa has reams of internet reviews from owners but not so much on the Formula and then that's polarised and mainly from the American market where it's pitted against the Sea Ray which hardly helps me.

 

[MapisM]

If they are the same money assuming no major issues it's a no brainer

Absolutely +1.

@BruceK:
I've always wondered why with boats the hearsay seems to be so effective.
I mean, if I think of all the planing boats I've either owned or tried, in the 20-40 feet range (which is probably still a 2-digits number, but not much far from requiring a third one), I can't think of one single case in which, for any given size, one boat was so obviously much more "sea worthy" (whatever that means) than another one.
Otoh, it's pretty obvious that even the best 27' hull is bound to be a worse ride than even a mediocre 34' hull, in any kind of sea. Not to mention when the first is underpowered and the latter isn't.
That aside, with all due respect for Fairline, I frankly doubt (at the boat sizes which are being debated) that their hulls are so much better than those of Formula. In fact, I'd tend to prefer the latter even at the same size - but I accept that you might consider this view as yet another "hearsay", so I'm happy to agree to disagree with anyone on that.
As a last 2c, my only doubt with the F34 (just based on what you said) is that she's also possibly a bit underpowered.
I mean, that boat is typically equipped in the US with a couple of petrol big blocks worth of 800hp or so overall.
She's probably OK with 460hp (considering also the different torque/power curves of diesels), but she surely won't be as fun as the hull potentially is.

Anyway, all the very best for your search!

 

[BruceK]

Thanks MapisM. That's sort of what I wanted to hear. As for "sea worthy" I guess what I was after was elements such as if it's great lakes design rather than coastal offshore. Tendencies to roll, broach etc in swell. Sensitivity to trim tabs. Build quality where it might impact longevity at sea (i.e. stringers, bulkheads, how heavily fiberglass is laid up etc). Hull designed more for racing rather than cruising so less compromises etc. Anything that would give me a feel for the boat other than "looks nice, good size and layout, let's buy it" kind of approach.

As for the power in the KAD42's, they lifeted the boat out of the hole and onto the plane with alacrity! Did't try for top end but 30knts is more than plenty. The big petro V8's are pushing the newer versions onto +45 mph in the online boat tests. I have no need for that kind of speed, nor the budget for the resulting fuel burn which with those petrols in is eyewateringly high and a real killjoy.