Sessa C52 or new Fairline Targa 52GT

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freddiesolway

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Have been umming and aaahhhing over a Sessa C52 for months and were dead set on it until the London boat show!! Now we find that the new Targa 52 GT has been upgraded and much nicer than before. We're stuck! Which is best? Would love people's opinions on this. HELP ME!
 
Both great boats, but one point you should at least consider before buying. This size of sport cruiser is now prime IPS territory, and if it really proves itself it may be more dificult to sell shaft boats at this size in a few years time. Not saying you shouldn't, shaft boats still have lots of plus points, but its something to at least think about, if you haven't already.

For me the Sessa is the prettier boat, Fairline hardtops look too much of an afterthought for my liking.
 
For me it would be the Targa 52 cracking looking boat & new face has hit the spot will get up to 38 knots without effort better I would also assume when it comes to move it on.
Have you considered the Princess V53?
 
Unless I'm mistaken, neither Sessa nor Fairline have a full cockpit door.
Are you sure you don't want one?
I'd put that very high in my personal wish list, if I were considering a boat of that type/size.
Not to mention that it is very likely to become almost a must in the future, to resell such boats.
 
Are you buying me a beer for this one? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Not that Abs is the only one, anyway....
 
Beer, women, cars whatever you want /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Actually I think your are quite correct, at this size the ability to close off the saloon is a big bonus, we had doubts against the 56 which is open at the back and was/is a great seller but since Cannes the 52 has seen the bigger interest.

I would also look at one of the best, the Windy Xanthos but you do need deep pockets, also the Predator 52 is worth a good look, both have galley down arrangements so maybe not as perfect for med boating but you pay your money and takes your choice. I did like the Pred 52 saloon was as big as any 50' flybridge and bigger than ours but the third cabin is dinky.
 
Doesn't hurt to look at a Prinz 54...

I also agree with the cockpit doors (available as an option on the Prinz, I believe).

And if your pockets don't stretch to a Xanthos, aren't Windy bringing out a 48?
 
[ QUOTE ]
since Cannes the 52 has seen the bigger interest.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yep, I can imagine.
In fact, as I told, it's very easy to guess that it'll be very hard in the future to sell any 50'+ HT sportcruiser with no cockpit doors.
Aside from the obvious main advantage of better protection and heating, the possibility to quickly and easily "close the boat" when going out to a restaurant is so convenient, even when boating in warm weather.
I agree on Windy, excellent but very expensive.
In my perception, the Prinz 54 could be a more worrying competitor than the Pred 52, for your Abs 52?
I'm just considering the boats as such, aside from the obvious image differences between the two builders, of course.
 
I liked the interior of the Prinz, joinery was well executed and some nice touches, thing was I couldnt get anyone to commit to what was the best top speed of the boat. I remember at the pre launch there was talk of somewhere near 40 knts with twin IPS600's which seemed a huge top end for a 54' boat with just twin 435 hp engines but then again there are big vagarities with IPS. Some builders have cracked the dynamics and got fantastic speeds and efficiency and others have cruising speeds and fuel burn no better than shaft drive so perhaps Prinz are one of the ones that have learnt the secret of IPS installation. It is certainly not a case of just banging them in and hope for the best as a few have done and been very disapointed with the performance.

Anyway snapped these at Genoa

Genoaoct08021.jpg


Genoaoct08022.jpg


Genoaoct08034.jpg


Genoaoct08031.jpg
 
Prinz are quoting 35 knots now, what I am afraid is this looks too much of a feather biult for a boat measuring 17 metres, but then I might be wrong...

I really love the Sessa C 52 she is such a stunner IMO, the Fairline is not a bad boat, but as someone quoted the HT looks an aftertought, which in actual fact it is, what I also dont like much of the 52 Targa is the cockpit outside area which feels a bit cramped, the 47 Targa feels better outside also but then you just have 2 cabins

I think a good competition for the Sessa would be the V53 looks good, you can also have a look at the Cranchi 50 Meditteranee and another stunner the Gobbi Atlantis 50 is awesome
my list goes this way for non IPS boats

Atlantis 50
Sessa C52
Princess V53
Sunseeker 52 Predator (the bow is too short caravan style IMO)
Fairline 52 Targa GT

the first three are pretty head to head IMO, what I dont like a lot of the V 53 is bunked third cabin

if you want an IPS boat go for an Abs 52 that is IMO a cracker and the galley up layout is very functional lovely boat, price is also on the high side but

hope I was helpful!
 
[ QUOTE ]
there was talk of somewhere near 40 knts with twin IPS600's which seemed a huge top end for a 54' boat with just twin 435 hp engines

[/ QUOTE ]Agreed. We already debated that in this previous thread.
At the moment, Prinz site claims 38kts with the IPS600 and 32 with the IPS500.
I have no idea about how accurate those figures are, but the 38kts would still be an excellent result.
 
I know everyone keeps raving about the IPS drives but what happens if you hit an underwater obstruction with forward facing props? What happens to the legs themselves? I know they are designed to break away but I would still be very wary.
No doubt this has been mentioned before but please forgive me as I'm new on here.
 
At the end of the day, you're going to have make the decision anyway and so much of this is personal preferences.

For UK use, you would probably be better off with the Targa or the V53, both lovely boats and excellent performance. The Sunseeker will work UK or abroad and the Sessa, probably better in the Med only.

Personally, I didn't like the styling, finish or cockpit on the Sessa but I certainly did on the UK three. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

But then again, I did say personally.
 
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