Has anyone been on a Sealine s34 and Targa 34 at sea to compare for me

[cliffdale]

Im changing boats!! Ive been onboard both boats and like them both in different ways. For me, the Sealine S34 has the edge over Targa 34 for accommodation and price.
I Like the Fairline Targa looks, is higher quality and it is about 1 ton heavier.

If you have been on both boats at sea, is there a noticable difference in the way they handle? If you are bumping around in a lumpy sea in a Sealine, will the Fairline be just as bumpy?

Im deciding on a new Sealine with D4/260s, or an '03 used fairline. Im struggling to reach a reasoned decision. Any offer of help much appreciated.

Thanks
Cliff

 

[powerskipper]

Re: Has anyone been on a Sealine and Targa 34 at sea to compare for me

I have taught/helmed both.
The Sealine is lighter, as you have said, this means it may get affected by wind a bit faster than the Targa , but requires less power to correct it,
The Targa being heaver if it does go with the wind it will require more power to correct it.
the Sealine has the better interior in my book, more storage.
The Sealine S34 I have taken in a wide range of seas and have never had a problem , they can bang a bit like all sports boat do..

The Targa, only played in the roughish water when at the entrance to Portsmouth harbour, but she seemed to behave again power was needed to correct her at times,

Both are good boats, just chose the one that you like best.

 

[Kevin]

Hi

I have had limited experience with both and not in really testing conditions.

To me they both seemed well made and feel it comes down to personal choice, the heavier targa would leave you to believe that in lively conditions it may behave slightly better but then in rough conditions it comes down to handling which to me is a very subjective / personal thing and difficult to quantify as peopel prefer different things

Kevin

 

[tcm]

not used either, but if your aim is to reduce bumpiness, then the longer the boat, the heavier the boat, the deeper the vee, and the slower you travel - the less bumpy.

 

[cliffdale]

The personal things Im looking at is the accommodation and storage, Sealine is far better for storage and has a massive anchor well for fenders, deck brushes, boat hooks etc..

Im happy with quality of build with both boats.

I think the targa is by far the better looking boat.

Some people say the Targa is a much better seaboat but this is what im trying to find out.

Targa is about +30k more, or go for 2 years older??

Non personal considerations, Which boat will sell easier and which boat will depreciate more. Im planning to keep my next boat for about 3 years.

Still stuck in deciding!!

Cliff

 

[Wiggo]

Re: Has anyone been on a Sealine s34 and Targa 34 at sea to compare fo

Errm, if depreciation is an issue, then you should probably avoid buying new. What about the S37? Not very much longer than the S34, but a lot more interior volume.

 

[Kevin]

Hi

personally on that size of boat id go for the sealine, sealines of this size seem to be in great demand secondhand and are looked upon, because as you say the better storage and versitility, as a great 'family' boat.

I wouldnt plump for new id go for a year or two old Sealine let somebody else have the depreciation and new boat niggles, Sealines seem to hold their prices as good as any other make including the Targa models, if it were me and i knew i was selling in 3 years id go for the Sealine for what i believe would be an easier boat to sell with more people out there looking for that style of family orientated cruiser.

With regards seakeeping there are a few on here who seem to swear by the Sealine's safe sea keeping and in my limited experience of them cant believe that any differences will be noticable between the two in normal usage, obv. they will handle very differently but i mean for safety / comfort the differences i dont feel would be great and come down to whether you like the feel of one in particular.

Another option would be to go for a 3 year old or so larger Sealine and have even greater room

IMVHO

Kevin

 

[petem]

My suspicion is that Sealine sports cruisers have depreciated a little more than Targa's. I know that S28 hasn't held it value as well as T29/30.

However best thing to do (and I know this is really boring) is to dig out your old MBY's from the past few years and put all the values of the boats in a spreadsheet. that way you'll know for sure which depreciates less.

 

[oldgit]

If one boat weighs in at a lot less than the other does this not indicate build quality on the part of one of the boats.Further if it costs as much for a 2 year old used example of one boat as for its new rival what does this say about depreciation and desirabilty?.
A quick look on Dave Pascos Yachtsurvey site will suggest that when it comes to everthing boaty the heavier the better and no,technology has not done away with the need for conservative marine engineering.The only reason any builder laminates lightly is to save money not weight.

 

[Boating_Buoys]

I went through the same dilemma last year and went for a new Sealine S34 in the end and am very pleased with it.

As for the arguments of new v second hand, this is my 5th boat and I have never lost money on any boat I've bought/sold... and no they haven't all been part exchanges.

One point to consider is that the S34 is now the only boat in the Sealine range awaiting a re-design to the new shape (forward radar arch etc).

You can look at this in two ways... the current version is a great boat and in the 34ft power boat range is excellent value. (Don't think there is anything to copmaer against it if you take spec into account)

The new version (I don't know but guess we should expect it in about 12 months??) I suggest will be more akin to the S38 but the costs will be severely hiked up. (Look at the crazy price range from the F33 to F34, S37 to S38 and doubtless S28 to S29).

So of you go for new get in soon!