portofino 40

[gjgm]

Well, I haven driven it or even seen it, so I am only going on the review in MBY
So,when you start off, all you can see is the sky for 6 seconds.
It never trims flat enough to see over the bow with the roof closed.
I would have thought seeing where you are going was a fairly basic prerequisite in a modern boat. No lobster pots where ever these will be used perhaps.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

A problem of many Sunseeker's I add, altough the new ones seem improved in this area. Though in this case it is surprising being a stern drive boat.
IMO they always made nice running stern drive boats, and some are the most fun to handle.
DITTO we got a new Atlantis 38 and it also runs very high bow. Now I don't know if this comes from the owner who does not know how to trim the boat (actually he needs just to put his stern drives all down, and trim tabs inside when going up) or it is its way of running. I am stating this because in the Altantis video it runs very nice indeed.

Here is the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8Jt66U15qg&feature=player_detailpage

Here is Sunseeker 40 Portofino video from MBY looks to run good to me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzH2kIv8vJg
Nice video BTW. Is the Volvo D4 330 a new engine....
I will buy this issue then reading all at the stand.
Like the single level cockpit especially the forwad settees and convertible sunpads, not to much the big side windows. Pity for the side-decks which seemed dangerous seeing Jack going forward. His tips will help a bit, but will they be enough..
Inside is also very nice but those skylight will make inside become an oven over here in the Med. Hope they have some screens.
A nice new contender in this size against other nice boats like new Princess V39, Fairline 38GT, Sessa C38, Altantis etc Altough the Sealine SC35 still gives a lot of value in this size, and stlye

 

[kashurst]

just watched the video, I like the boat overall but I wouldn't buy one with such narrow side decks and insufficient hand holds. I think they have dropped a clanger there.

 

[kcrane]

just watched the video, I like the boat overall but I wouldn't buy one with such narrow side decks and insufficient hand holds. I think they have dropped a clanger there.

I quite liked the earlier Portofino 48 but SWMBO ruled it out as the rails didn't start until you were well outside the cockpit, not only did she feel at risk going forward there was nowhere to fasten fenders.

 

[ChrisKaye]

Oooh I like that

 

[Jack Haines]

Nice video BTW. Is the Volvo D4 330 a new engine....

The pressure of the camera scrambled my brain! I was waiting for someone to spot it, my mistake.

Glad you liked the video.

Jack

 

[z1ppy]

looking forward to reading this review. the magazine has landed on my door mad but have not opened it so i can enjoy it whilst sipping beer next week in the sun!!

 

[jfm]

Jack, what was the forward vis like? In the vid where the cameraman is on your right shoulder it looks fine, but you're turning. At exactly 1:00 when you are going straight you cannot see the horizon. So what's it like going in a straight line on passage?

I love the dash. sunseeker have finally realised that the plotter should be closest to you so you can prod it while sitting own, and the other instruments should be on the row further away . Looked really good

Sunseeker's trick on the port side of having the forward facing seats with raised floor (to create headroom in mid cabin) is a great bit of design imho and looks especially good on this boat

Side decks were really worrying. Needs a s/s handrail all the way along the roof

 

[Jack Haines]

Jack, what was the forward vis like? In the vid where the cameraman is on your right shoulder it looks fine, but you're turning. At exactly 1:00 when you are going straight you cannot see the horizon. So what's it like going in a straight line on passage?

Hi John,

As I said in the test the visibility is compromised most as you move on to the plane (this is in the seated position). When the boat is up and running it does level off but I still found myself perched on the edge of my seat and craning to be able to see comfortably over the bow.

Of course, this is all relative to the seated position, if you open the roof and flip down the footrest beneath the helm seat then you can poke your head out and have a totally unobstructed view. Not so good when the weather's poor, however.

Jack

 

[TommieDee]

Jack

What was S/S response to your concern on

1. viz over the bow when seated
2. narrow deck/handrail issue?

Tommiedee

 

[jfm]

Hi John,

As I said in the test the visibility is compromised most as you move on to the plane (this is in the seated position). When the boat is up and running it does level off but I still found myself perched on the edge of my seat and craning to be able to see comfortably over the bow.

Of course, this is all relative to the seated position, if you open the roof and flip down the footrest beneath the helm seat then you can poke your head out and have a totally unobstructed view. Not so good when the weather's poor, however.

Jack

Hmmm. Shame that. I have 1% of the exp of you in terms of driving loads of sports cruisers so i cannot make as many comparisons. I have driven targa 47 plenty and that had this "problem", ie you cannot sit/slouch and see over the bow enough (imho). Targa 40 doesn't have the problem. Best one I've been in is current Targa 50, (which i did 130miles in one leg, a month ago) and that has fantastic forward vis when you're sitting.

It's a shame the builders don't get this more right. BTW, it's not just sportscruisers. Sq58 was fine but lower helm on Sq78 isn't perfect imho. On my new one Fairline are putting the lower helm seats on s/steel posts to lift them 80mm

 

[wakeup]

Hi John,

As I said in the test the visibility is compromised most as you move on to the plane (this is in the seated position). When the boat is up and running it does level off but I still found myself perched on the edge of my seat and craning to be able to see comfortably over the bow.

Of course, this is all relative to the seated position, if you open the roof and flip down the footrest beneath the helm seat then you can poke your head out and have a totally unobstructed view. Not so good when the weather's poor, however.

Jack

Which would you chose between the SS40 and the FLine38GT?

 

[TommieDee]

Which would you chose between the SS40 and the FLine38GT?

Jack - before you answer that, do you have to check with IPC to see whether S/S or F/Line spend more with MBM/MBY on advertising???

 

[wakeup]

Jack - before you answer that, do you have to check with IPC to see whether S/S or F/Line spend more with MBM/MBY on advertising???

Th reason I asked was that Jack has done as very recent and similar video review of the Fairline Targa 38GT so it the comparison should be fresh.

 

[jonnybuoy]

Looks very nice, the amount of light downstairs is fantastic. Looking at the cost of the specced-out model in MBY though it looks like a tough proposition value wise against a V39.

 

[Jack Haines]

Jack - before you answer that, do you have to check with IPC to see whether S/S or F/Line spend more with MBM/MBY on advertising???

No, I don't.

When I write an article I write about the boat exactly how I have seen it. What goes on with the ads boys at the other end of the office has no bearing on what I put in to my boat reports, or any copy that I submit for publishing.

Jack

 

[Jack Haines]

Which would you chose between the SS40 and the FLine38GT?

I think we both know that I can't really answer that question.

I'm sure you have the magazine reports and the videos are free for anyone to see, hopefully they would help you make a decision if you had to choose between them.

Jack

 

[wakeup]

I think we both know that I can't really answer that question.

I'm sure you have the magazine reports and the videos are free for anyone to see, hopefully they would help you make a decision if you had to choose between them.

Jack

OK if I ask another question then? What is the single USP for each boat over the other and what is the single area for improvement for each boat over the other. yes I have read you reviews and have watched the videos, but you answer to above would be most appreciated.

 

[benjenbav]

I was looking at a Maserati MC12 on Wednesday. Flippin 'eck: you couldn't see anything out of the back or really even out of the sides and there was no chance of a camera. I pointed out how impractical it would be to park and was told that I'd missed the point.

 

[Jack Haines]

OK if I ask another question then? What is the single USP for each boat over the other and what is the single area for improvement for each boat over the other. yes I have read you reviews and have watched the videos, but you answer to above would be most appreciated.

For me the Sunseeker's USP is the work done on the interior. The amount of light from the glazing in the hull is great and the Ken Freivokh designed interior on our one felt really special for a boat of this size.

The area of improvement would be visibility.

The Fairline's performance blew me away on test, but then it did have the D6 400s fitted, which of course are also available on the Portofino.

Areas of improvement? I know that some testers have found the lack of movement on the helm seat frustrating but that wasn't an issue for me.

The Targa 38, launched in 2006, is also an older design. And although the fit, finish and attention to detail plus the new hull windows combine to make a very good interior, it probably just trails its more modern rivals, mainly because it's a 'refresh' rather than a new build. But it's also less expensive than the Portofino 40.

Like anything, it's six of one and half a dozen of the other. I can't say 'buy this one over that' because it's so subjective. All I can do is offer my honest opinion, and hope it informs people's choices.