Princess V45 or Fairline Targa 47, which to buy?

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Dannyg

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Hi Guys, I have spent some time looking at 45 -50 ft power boats and I am now struggling to decide between the Targa 47 and Princess V45. I have viewed a couple of Targa’s but would like to speak to the owner of a V45 as there are none for sale in the UK at the moment.
I know shafts are better for manoeuvring and maintenance but the out drives give better fuel consumption. Does anyone have any strong opinions either way?

Thanks Dan
 
Dannyg said:
Hi Guys, I have spent some time looking at 45 -50 ft power boats and I am now struggling to decide between the Targa 47 and Princess V45. I have viewed a couple of Targa’s but would like to speak to the owner of a V45 as there are none for sale in the UK at the moment.
I know shafts are better for manoeuvring and maintenance but the out drives give better fuel consumption. Does anyone have any strong opinions either way?

Thanks Dan
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You're out of luck nobody on this forum has a strong opinion of shafts vs outdrives
 
I know the couple who owned hull no.1 of the V45. It was a fantastic boat and very well finished. That said the T47 is very good as well. If this was V45 vs T44 then in my option the V45 would win hands down. The T47 is a much harder choice.

Stern drives are no harder to manoeuvre - they just require different technique. Try driving them like a shaft drive boat (or try driving a shaft drive boat like a stern drive boat) and you'll make it very hard for yourself.

Fuel: stern drives much better but the extra couple of £k on annual maintenance wipes this out unless you've done loads of hours.

I think the roof and cockpit on the V is much better - I find solid hard tops boomy when closed - so for me everything else being equal that would swing it. Though in reality it's probably down to individual boat/cost
 
I'll throw a spanner in, I think the Princess V 48 is a very good boat, the old style one , it's a lot quieter on the. I've than the Targa 47, the T 47 is a great boat, the V45 is but carries the sterndrive woes.
 
I owned a V45 from 2008 until 2013 and did most of my boating along side a mate in a Targa 47. Mine was one of the first built and had a few issues which Princess sorted without any hassle.
V45 much better on fuel but then there is the usual debate about service costs. For me stern drive manoeuvrability is fine (don't know why the shaft boys winge so much) but that said the V45 is a lot lighter so is more affected by cross wind.
Whenever I went on the Targa I always thought it felt a step up in bling and quality but this is reflected in price.
I had many enjoyable years with the V45 but I think you can't go wrong with either it just comes down to preference.
 
Fuel bill is about 25% more at cruise in favor to the Princess V45 as being the less consumption.
Princess should drink about 90 lph at cruise while Fairline is 120 lph.

So instead of 2k you will be forking 2.5k. Lambada I think got it right, the Fairline 47 Targa is a step up overall as she is build as a bigger boat.
 
Agree older style V48 worth considering I actually think it is better looking than the newer designs.
I wouldn't let stern drive put you off (so much so my current boat has 3 of them).
 
It sounds like you guys are as indecisive as I am on this one ;)

The V48 would be a no go for me as I want the light oak interior which was not an option for that boat. I have been aboard the Targa 47 so really need a look at a v45, do we know anyone who has one? I would happily pay for them to take me on a sea trial too so I can get a feel for the boat.
 
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