Mid-40ft hardtop sports boats - views?

K

kcrane

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Hurray, after a 12 month hold-up in plans I'm back looking for a boat for UK coastal use.

3 cabins would be nice, but I suspect that pushes either the budget too far up, or the age of the boat too far down, so I mostly considering 3 to 4 year old two cabin hardtop sports boats boats. I'd be interested in any opinions, views, stories, experiences or even prejudices of:

Targa 44
Targa 47
V45
V48
Portofino 47
Sealine S48

Thanks in advance
 
Elan 42 HT

You may struggle to find one, but the Elan Power 42 is a brilliant 3 cabin HT.
You can get a 2007 model for around £250k, or new they are around £320k plus VAT with all the toys.

I think they are a stunning looking HT, and there was one for sale in the westcountry a few months ago.

Here is the manufacturers website: http://power.elan-yachts.com/pc.asp?xpath=&xpathid=&lang=eng

And some pics:

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They also do a more traditional 2 cabin version but the tri-cab option is really neat and very well done. When I first went on board one I missed the third cabin and had to go back to find it.

Here is the three cabin layout:

big_elan-power-e-42_tloris.jpg


This is the one for sale in Wales, its a tri cabin model from 2005: http://uk.yachtworld.com/boats/2005/Elan-Power-42-2020791/United-Kingdom
 
Sealine S48 isn't really a hard top, it just has a permanent GRP bimini, you still have all the hassle of the covers. Princess V48 has the advantage (IMO) of the fabric roof, which means the opening is loads bigger than the others on your list, so is less of a compromise from an open boat when the sun's out. Depends also what drive system you want. V48, Targa 47, Portofino and Sealine S48 are on shafts, V45 is sterndrive, and Targa 44 is IPS I think, though maybe sterndrive as well? Others to consider from the continent; Azimut 43S (but will be pricey), Windy 43 Typhoon (bit ugly IMO), Windy 44 Chinook (new and pricey), Jeanneau 42S. Also a few Italian options, but i'd be cautious about buying a boat that isn't too well known over here, for re-sale reasons.
 
Thanks all for the help - we visited LIBS on Sunday and that helped a lot.

We decided that the V42, T38, T44 were too small - either the second cabin was limited, or the saloon was compromised to make space of the cabins - not surprising in that length and they'd done a good job with what they had, but not big enough for us.

We're going to concentrate on the Targa 47 or the V48, with the V45 a dark horse (we haven't seem one in the flesh yet).
 
kcrane said:
We're going to concentrate on the Targa 47 or the V48, with the V45 a dark horse (we haven't seem one in the flesh yet).
Click to expand...

I like the T47 - you can get a 285 jetrib in the garage without having to muck about deflating/reinflating the tubes every time you want to get it in or out. The v45 needs to have the garage modified by the dealer in order to get the 285 in at all. The v48 has no opening side windows which I think is a disadvantage when mooring; the opening bit of the side window on the T47 is only half height; it's full height on the v45. I'm told that the v45 can be a handful when mooring up sometimes - it's a good-looking boat but does suffer a bit from windage, and has relatively little grip on the water imho.

For me the T47 has the best combination of layout and accommodation. However, it is not as nice to look at as the two Princess boats, particularly the v45; and it is about to be replaced by the Targa 50. It also has the solid sunroof, whereas the two Princesses have the fabric = bigger opening area.

If you're keen on the v45 you should send a PM to timbad on this forum - he has a nice one for sale.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
yes I follow Jimmy comments on the Targa 47, and it soon can stop in production being on since 2004
I think Fairline will soon jump on a new look and a 50 Targa GT is on plan
the V45 is not much different to the latest V42 Mk.III (44ft LOA) and is only a foot shorter with a similar beam
If you are looking at new and want three cabins I would wait for the new V52 to be launched next Spring/Summer
 
kcrane said:
Hurray, after a 12 month hold-up in plans I'm back looking for a boat for UK coastal use.

3 cabins would be nice, but I suspect that pushes either the budget too far up, or the age of the boat too far down, so I mostly considering 3 to 4 year old two cabin hardtop sports boats boats. I'd be interested in any opinions, views, stories, experiences or even prejudices of:

Targa 44
Targa 47
V45
V48
Portofino 47
Sealine S48

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Hi K. Congratulations on being back in the market - good luck with the search. I dont have much first hand to say on those boats, other than it's a great list, and that I've been on Woodie100's T47 (a 2007 model, pictures of him and Mrs W100 taking delivery on the fairline menorca website) and it's a super boat. Deck saloon/dining area is great for lunch, nice big teak table, and williams turbojet in the garage. Good engine access via lifting up the stbd transom stairs, no need to remove the tender to get in there. They had it upholstered in sunbrella and have the light oak cabinets inside, which is the best choice (imho!). Ask Woodie100 to tell you first hand. In fact it's charterable, so you could always rent it for a weekend to do a full test (in Antibes) which would make a nice holiday combined with boat research :-)

I agree with Jez about the Elan. Very sporty looking machine imho. But I dont agree with him that they've been clever with space. All they've done is move the cockpit back, deleted the tender garage, and got the extra cabin in. Perfectly fine if that's what you want and are prepared to trade cabin for garage, and it's good that as a customer you have the choice to buy that layout if you want it, but there's no actual magic

Good luck and tell us how you get on!
 
the Elan 42 is a great boat, apart the points JFM mentions which can be disregarded a bit as you have tender stowage space on bathing platform, my only problem with it is that the cockpit is a bit small and cramped for a 13 metre boat
the boat handles very well too, Tony Castro as for the 35 designed a fabolous hull for this sports cruiser, and construction standard is also good. I was positively impressed when I viewed the Elans and this comes from somone who saw sloppy workmanship in the long ago past on their sailing boats
Another thing I am sure of though is that if you felt the 44 Targa small this boat will feel smaller, personally I love the the new changes they made to the 44 Targa outside and these are perfect for practical reasons. Inside it is the same to the previous IPS version
I dont think there is much to beat in this boat, it is also available as a hardtop GT version with the same layout. I think its only problem is that it misses the WOW factor and is too simple actually
you else get better consumptions with stern drive to IPS and also better speed, altough marina manovring is more difficult, this is also valid for the Elan and the smaller Princess V series as all are powered by stern drive
I would also have a look at Sealine SC47 once you are in it for this size, the SC35 I visited was pretty close to the standard of a 38 Targa, and I think the SC47 is a further evolution of this design and its slap sides suits her better
 
Hi Kevin,

As jfm says, we have a T47. We've had a T40 and T43 previously and this is by far the best built boat we've had from Fairline. There are always a few niggles, but different order of magnitude from the previous boats. One of the FL guys we complimented on this said the guy who runs the T47 line is excellent so hopefully means the other T47s are as well screwed together!

We love the boat and have had fantastic use out of her. We think she's v. easy to moor and deals very well with rougher seas (she's on shafts).

I think it's all a matter of what you value....We defo wanted a hardtop, a dinghy garage and decent cockpit space. I was put off the Princess hardtop by some saying the fabric needs changing every so often - the FL hardtop is GRP, so not the same issue. I disagree with Jimmy on looks (of course!) as I prefer the T47 to the V48/45! But beauty is in the eye of the beholder....

If I was choosing again I'd have to decide on
- shafts vs. IPS vs. legs (fun/lower fuel/speed vs. that glued to the water feeling you get with shafts and imho easier mooring),
- dinghy garage vs. 3rd cabin and
- a brand I know less well vs. FL that was an easy decision for us as it was a trade-up (great job by James at Essex Boatyards btw) and we thought would be safe re-sale wise.

Happy to discuss in more detail if you like (PM me), and as jfm says, the boat is available for charter in Antibes!

Adam
 
PowerYachtBlog said:
can be disregarded a bit as you have tender stowage space on bathing platform,
Click to expand...

Well yes, if you call this, and the wimpy passerelle/crane which looks good for no more than 200kg, "tender stowage" :-)

2020791_4.jpg


The thing with this boat is they have made the inside space big by making the outside small. See how far back the bulkhead to the saloon is in the above pic. Nothing wrong with that, if it's what you want
 
yes the aft deck is very small, I think the one on my boat 10m+ is acutally bigger to that
but if one can live with that it can be good....
But I am sure whats good for me and you does not mean it is also so for the other, that is why there are different shaped floating plastics in the marinas
 
Thanks all for the help.

Overall it was tempting, but we felt the T44 just fell short. For example the eye height lockers around the saloon were small and had sliding doors with a hole you put your finger through to move them, giving an Ikea feel. The saloon did convert, but was small and made only a single berth. It looks good, and we liked the large powered access to the engine bay which put the small hatch on a Portofino 47 to shame.

If the T44 felt a bit tight, and the V42 is definitely too small, then I reckon the Elan, however clever the layout, just can't have enough space.

We did like the T47, it had the feel of a slightly shrunk Targa 52 and is a strong contender.

We haven't yet seen the V45 or V48, but with luck will look at a couple this weekend. I get the impression they feel quite close in size (more so than a T44 versus T47?). The V48 looks more dated than most V series, but a blue hull helps quite a bit.

The outdrives may not be as planted, but 1.5mpg is tempting on the V45!

I'm told the T47 is quieter than the T52 - anyone tried both? We found the T52 excellent to drive, but it wasn't the quietest boat we've used.

Will PM on the idea of chartering to try the T47.

The new Fairline 50 and Princess V52 will have to wait after retirement I'm afraid, tempting thought tho that is (never mind that SWMBO was plotting a bank heist after seeing the Targa 58).

John - Nick B says hello, he did a good job of showing us around the Fairlines.

We can't afford one, but the new Portofino 48 was very impressive, where the space came from I have no idea. I'll post a few photos.
 
kcrane said:
I'm told the T47 is quieter than the T52 - anyone tried both? We found the T52 excellent to drive, but it wasn't the quietest boat we've used.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure adrianb of this parish is your man to answer this question. From a chat I had with him a little while ago, I think he's driven both.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
kcrane said:
We haven't yet seen the V45 or V48, but with luck will look at a couple this weekend. I get the impression they feel quite close in size (more so than a T44 versus T47?). The V48 looks more dated than most V series, but a blue hull helps quite a bit.
Click to expand...

From memory the v48 is 49ft long, and the v45 is 47ft. Interestingly the v48 is slightly lower in overall height; for me the sightlines at the v48 helm are better - if you want to stick your head out in the breeze then it's easier on the v48. Interior on the v48 is a more dated design than the v45; feels more spacious than the v45 though. However, fuel economy on the v45 definitely better than the v48; a v48 with d9-575's is very slightly quicker than the v45. The other big win for the v45 is that was one of the first of the new v-class designs, and is undoubtedly a prettier boat than the v48.

It's a pretty close game! Good luck.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
kcrane said:
I'm told the T47 is quieter than the T52 - anyone tried both? We found the T52 excellent to drive, but it wasn't the quietest boat we've used.

John - Nick B says hello, he did a good job of showing us around the Fairlines.
Click to expand...

K, the t47 is quieter. My neighbour in Antibes has T52 and until I switched boats we had identical engines D-12 715s. The Sq58 has huge vertical cylinder silencers, as big as a dustbin, and is very quiet. The T52 doesn't have the space and has much smaller and differently shaped silencers, and the engines are much louder

The T47 has D9s and I can't remember the silencer layout but they managed to fit the right ones in and it's quieter

I'll catch up with the Barke clan tomorrow (weds) pm I hope

Good luck with your search. I'm sure you're doing the right thing aiming for the bigger end of your target range. There's no substitute for weight and waterline length!
 
KevB said:
What about the Sessa C46? It's little brother just won the MBM Sports cruiser of the year.
Click to expand...

Nice boat, if I recall there was one at SIBS? If there was, we had an embarrassing incident when my daughter pulled a handle to open a locker or similar, and it fell off.

I think there are a lot of good European models that fit the bill, cue PowerYachtBlog, but no stock of them as used boats in the UK to choose amongst. Even where there is at least one boat you can't compare and contrast spec's and it is hard to judge what the right price might be. We've also has a few comments suggesting resale of well known UK built models is easier.

Off to look at several boats over a long weekend on the south cost, will report back.
 
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