Help! I like Targas!

britemp

britemp

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Having looked closely at Nimbus boats previously and deciding perhaps I should spend a little less on a first boat and what may be a learning experience for me, I have become quite taken with Botnia Targas, despite them being aesthetically challenged, a bit like me.

I know Whisper is a bit of a fan judging by the other thread but what do people think of them?

I take what people say about them being potting sheds atop a bathtub, but I'm inclined towards seaworthyness and fun rather than Marina poseability and like the utilitarean nature. (I like Land Rovers too!)

The 27.1 looks good value for money and can exceed 40 knots - I don't need much accomodation and like the idea of the stove being right next to the wheel so i can fry bacon sandwiches whilst underway! :)

Am I mad?

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Great boats, great reputation among serious boaters. And incredible speed. Slam a bit on waves, some say. Analogy with Land Rover is good, or perhaps better analogy would be some rarer serious 4wd like an amazon or something.

The name Targa also is used by a more posey boat range too, dunno who got the name first

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Indeed they are...we're big fans of them at MBY. They're kind of the Suburu Outback of the boating world — strange-looking, but amazingly capable, well-built, and they last for ever.

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You cant possibly be as ugly as a Botnia Targa. The words Beauty, eye & beholder spring to mind though.

They look about as attractive as the fishing boats in our Spanish marina

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>
 
Ugh! Don't liken it to a Toymota - you'll put me off! And as far as I recall the Targa doesn't have a nasty plastic interior with fake stitching and too much chrome! :)

As for Targa, I think Porsche own the trademark for their removable roof thingy but I could be wrong, it has happened before! :)

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I don't mind ugly though and at 41 knots I suspect most of these prettyboy sportsboats only get to see the back of a targa anyway! Thats assuming the sea is flat enough to allow them out of harbour. . . . . . :)


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I bought a new 27 two seasons ago as a complete novice to powerboating (ex raggie).

It's a brilliant all year round day and weekend boat but the thing that really clinched it for me was ease of single handing. You can bring it alongside and moor with a short warp to the midships cleat without leaving the helm.

Plus when things threaten to go pear shaped you can run around the decks with the boathook without worrying about falling off. Kids can even leave the wheelhouse and go forward without worries - even at planing speed (in reasonably calm conditions).

I've taken it to sea (with an instructor) in a good F6 with 2-3m seas for some heavy weather experience and the handling seemed very safe (I didn't have much to compare it with but the instructor was impressed enough to buy one himself).

Accomodation of course is basic but the outside loo has nostalgic appeal for an old northern lad like me!

Wessex the dealers are very fair and helpful and my only probs have been with the green object under the engine hatch.

You can PM me if you have any specific questions.

Foxgoose


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Tee Hee, nice one !!
Was out yesterday as a passenger in a 25 and lo and behold another Targa appeared from Start Point direction (probably been playing in proper waves). It was a 27 and pulled up about 50 yards away and the skippers waved to each other. We then speeded up to about 15knts , in line abreast formation, and then he opened it up and majestically charged off towards Brixham. Oooooh, ecstasy!!!!

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Ha! you expect me to bite on that one? My prettyboy sportsboat does in excess of that speed, and goes out in F7 and 15+ foot waves. I'll now sit back and wait for windscreen comments.

Does look intruiging tho'. Might have to have a look at the LBS

<hr width=100% size=1>Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a rigged demo
 
Do you have a windscreen? Don't remember seeing it in Salcombe! Or was it that piece of broken perspex on the pontoon? /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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I'm very happy to say it remained unfirmly attached to the boat the whole time, (largely due to me hanging on to it for 3 hours) and never deigned to make aquaintance with any pontoon. Thank the lord it was toughned glass and not horrible perspex

awaiting the next barrage!


Now, what do you make of these Bosnia Targa thingies. Anything that does 40knts+ and goes out in foul weather is quite appealing, though it does look rather like Noah's monstrosity on steroids.

<hr width=100% size=1>Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a rigged demo
 
I've always been a big fan, have had a good look at all the models at various boatshows. Very quirky, but with some excellent design ideas. Not been out in one but all the reviews rave over the speed and handling. The one minus for me is the outdrives, definitely don't like them, but I suppose they are all you could realistically put on this type of boat.

Ideal compromise between a great dive and cruising boat.

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Suggestions for 40+knts, superb handling, cruising

I'm going to have to have a look. The styling doesn't really appeal, but the speed and handling is something I thought I'd have to lose if I went up in size. Regal sportsboats aren't everyone's cup of tea, but the recent MBM review did show I wasn't alone in my belief of how my boat handles - the Regal sportsboat lost out on first place because of price - but on every other category it won, and came second. Bit unfair,like pitting a Porsche against a Vectra and awarding the prize to the Vectra on cost.

Anyone got any other ideas on what to move up to that handles like a Regal hull, will do 40+ knts, takes rough sea, but is more cruising-able?

<hr width=100% size=1>Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a rigged demo
 
Re: Brendan

But you can have speed, handling AND style by buying a Windy or a Hunton Gazette.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>
 
Spot on! Those are exactly the things that draw me to them and I am very pleased to hear how easy it is to handle alone (oooeeerrrr!) as although I will have others onboard most of the time, they could not even with charity be termed a crew!

This too will be my first proper powerboat though I've spent many years on the Norfolk Broads and have a 505 in the garden collecting moss. From what you say and other comments (except from the gin palace crews!) it will make an ideal first boat. The only downside is that David Adams from Wessex Marine tells me there are only two slots left for next summer delivery and due to business commitments I don't think I can move before the end of December when he says they will be gone. Oh well - it will give me plenty of time to decide on the spec i want! :)

Thanks for the opinion - I will PM you nearer the time if I may.


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"Only two left"

Sounds like a fairly standard salesmans "closing" line to me. I bet if you give them a sniff of your cash when you are ready they will "find" one from somewhere.

On other recent posts several secondhand ones have been identified and might be a good money saving alternative

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>Do you think a Fleming 55 would look out of place on Windermere?
 
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