Prestige 38s, Sealine SC35 or Targa 38

E

ernestltd

New Member
Joined
15 Jan 2016
Messages
22
Visit site
In the market for a new motor boat/floating apartment which can be single handed:

Shortlist:

2008 Prestige 38s - Cummins QSD 4.2 (2 x 320hp) - £140K
2009 Sealine SC35 - VP 230 D4 - £130K
2007 Targa 38 - VP310 D6 - £140K

I know that basically the Sealine is best as its a more modern design for the money, the Targa 38 is better if you want sea performance which I don't, but what about the Prestige? Is it any good. Does it fair well against the other 2, It has a lovely interior and 20cm more beam than the SC35

The prestige doesnt have a shower stall though, you have to sit on the John and shower. Is a shower stall worth it?

Are there any others that should be on the short list?

Thanks
Ernie
 
Single Handing at that size is still quite a job IMO. I wouldn't yet single hand my 40ft boat. Assuming you've got some experience already?

As always this kind of question is best answered if we know what you will use it for and where etc.

IMO the SC35 is underpowered with those engines, I don't really like the look of the Prestige 38. I am a Fairline person. At your budget you could pick up a lovely Targa 40... (biased answer).
 
ernestltd said:
In the market for a new motor boat/floating apartment which can be single handed:

Shortlist:

2008 Prestige 38s - Cummins QSD 4.2 (2 x 320hp) - £140K
2009 Sealine SC35 - VP 230 D4 - £130K
2007 Targa 38 - VP310 D6 - £140K

I know that basically the Sealine is best as its a more modern design for the money, the Targa 38 is better if you want sea performance which I don't, but what about the Prestige? Is it any good. Does it fair well against the other 2, It has a lovely interior and 20cm more beam than the SC35

The prestige doesnt have a shower stall though, you have to sit on the John and shower. Is a shower stall worth it?

Are there any others that should be on the short list?

Thanks
Ernie
Click to expand...

I have a prestige 38s,

i had a 1996 princess v39, and i hated all the canvas covers, it was to much to remove and when the weather changed it was to much to put back on, which means a targa 40 was a no go for me in the uk.
i needed a princess v42 but could not afford one at the time, (i can now). (and i am looking ! ) .

The point being i was close to your situation, i wanted a power hard top,
i viewed the sc35 but found it small and under powered.
i did not view any targa 38's because of the amount of canvas.
i did view three prestige 38's, 2 in france and one on the south coast, the 2 in france was dogs but i loved the set up,
Tender garage,
seats at the back in the sun for the girls,
power roof,
good fuel consumption.
modern looks, etc.
i was impressed that much i bought the fresh low hours boat in the uk, after a couple of trips around the south coast, we set sail for north wales, we cruised at 20 knots, excellent trip, abit lumpy round lands end, the boat handled it like a dream, the girlfriend did'nt, (tears i am afraid).
we have had the boat near 2 years now and it was a great stepping stone, we use our prestige all winter, we could not do that with our v39, there is not alot in the way of hard tops at 150k.

and yes i could handle it single handed in our marina.


so if you have any questions, feel free,
 
Last edited:
Hi
Thanks for your responses:
I will check out the T40, there is also the Sealine S38.

Hi Hullabaloo
Do you have the Joystick control?
The rear cabin only has one small opening window, the large one is fixed. Does that cause you problems in the hot weather?

What tender do you keep in the garage? Can you keep the outboard on that permanently?

Read that the Bravo 3 drives eat annodes, whats your experience? Changing yearly is ok right?

Thanks!
 
jcwads said:
As I said, IMO, in my opinion... taste in boats is going to vary massively...
Click to expand...

yes yes you did say, imo, so i included "imo" in the quote. i was being playfull,
and yes your right, love is in the hands of the beholder. Some men even like slim girls.
 
Last edited:
ernestltd said:
Hi
Thanks for your responses:
I will check out the T40, there is also the Sealine S38.

Hi Hullabaloo
Do you have the Joystick control?
The rear cabin only has one small opening window, the large one is fixed. Does that cause you problems in the hot weather?

What tender do you keep in the garage? Can you keep the outboard on that permanently?

Read that the Bravo 3 drives eat annodes, whats your experience? Changing yearly is ok right?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

hello
No i did not want pods and joy sticks, i can stick that boat sides ways into any spot by using the legs and bow thruster, ips and pod's worry me, i have heard the horror storys about ips costing 11k to fix etc,
i pulled into another marina behind another visitor. the other visitor came over lock't the rope and said "how do you find the ips", em what ips ? you don't need fancy pods to park a boat. just a little pratice and the right advice.
bravo 3 legs don't eat anodes anymore that bravo one legs or shafts, the electric current that eats your anodes is in the water.
i have taken every boat i have owned out of the water every year for new anodes , antifoul (even though i use seajet 2 year af) leg inspections and new oils in legs and engins etc. and anodes have been the same on each boat.
not sure what tender we have or size, i will measure this weekend, there is a engin cradle next to the tender. we drop it on each time, i will look for a photo.
the rear cabin is like a cave, we have not had complaints from the guest. what it would be like in the med, i am not sure, but the boat is french ??
sorry for mistakes, i have just had a little wine with T.
:very_drunk:
 
ernestltd said:
In the market for a new motor boat/floating apartment which can be single handed:
Click to expand...

A lot of people would say your choices were a bit big for single handed.

You may wish to consider a Sealine SC38 which some people prefer in looks to the SC35 (similar size of boat)
 
Don't be worried about single handling. I have had a Cranchi Smeraldo 37 for a few years now, and NEVER had an issue single-handed. I'm never by myself, but she's coded, so often have proper 'guests', who sit back, and it's left to me... never an issue. Won't lie, it is a lot easier when the OH is there to help, but to reiterate, don't let that put you off. Have managed Manhattan 52's by myself (just to see if it's possible) without issue (albeit in fair weather) .... go for it.

Must admit, despite not being a fan of the French build (ever looked under the covers of a Jeanneau??), I love the look of the 38s.
 
Shafts on a Pershing 43 or Cayman 43 -
Elderly VP out drive boats like your shortlist you are volunteering to buying trouble . Or locking into large maintenance programs with associated £££ spend . Most hitting unexpected .

I couldn’t live with the “ wood “ finish what ever it’s supposed to be on the French boats exterior in your list .

If you are stuck between the 3 try the piano test.
You tap your fingers on the hull at various places placing the palm of your hand on the hull .
Buy the one with the dullest sound , especially if you are gonna do a lot of single handed trips . ?
 
Last edited:
hullabaloo said:
Just a minute mr jcwads, I can out class any ugly sc35 and hold my own against the dated t38, But I am open to a vote. sc35 or prestige 38s ?
Click to expand...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder?

Targa 38 is the performance option.
SC35 I liked because the length is “all hull in the water” with hardly any overhangs, plus I liked the interior design and finish. D4-260s will hit 30kts.
Prestige 38 I’m sure is very capable, and lots of boat for the money. Interior finish and fittings didn’t float my boat, but obviously work for many others.

All these options are a bit large for single handing in any kind of stiff breeze or tight berth, imho.
 
Last edited:
Have you considered a flybridge boat ?
I usually drive from the upper helm and find the helm position excellent for bringing the boat into a mooring . Although I don't do single handed it is probably no further from one or other of the helm positions to the ropes compared to a sports cruiser of the style you are considering.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top