Sports cruiser

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Racingfrank7

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Hi all,
I'm on the look out for a sports boat circa 34ft and with twin cabs, it seems to come down to 3 boats that fit the budget & tick the boxes.
So I am after drawing on the experience of forum members, I am looking at Targa34 ( prettiest both older & newer shape ) Sealine S34 ( most practical ) & Cranchi zaffiro 34 ( wild card ! )
I have the old mbm test magazine but rather here people in real world that have lived with & owned these boats views please.
I am in Southampton this weekend and off to look at all 3 models back to back to see what I think.
One of which a S34 called jive bunny any body know her ?
Cheers guys.
 
The Zaffiro 34 will have the biggest cockpit (that was the most important thing for me when I bought my Cranchi's), the S34 will have the biggest feeling saloon.

All 3 great boats which i'd happily have any of. As someone who owned a Cranchi 34 (and now a 37) I can tell you that they're cracking boats. The only let-down is the OE canopy, but almost all of these would have been changed at some point.

One thing I didn't like about the Sealine's is the upholstery out in the cockpit - it's just not as strong as the Cranchi stuff. Most Sealine's i'm on have rips etc. from wear & tear.

If you have any specific questions re. Cranchi just ask.
 
I'm in exactly the same position having sold our boat we are looking at getting another and a sports cruiser is definitely what we want, we will keep it in Majorca like our old boat and we have a budget of 60-70 k and want to be around 10m as I have had a quote of £3800 pa for a berth in a nice marina,we to are very tempted by a zaffiro 34 and the targa 34 also there are a few Jeanneau prestige 34 ,s around in budget for a much newer boat but only a couple of those are diesel we are going to Southampton this weekend to have a look around
 
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If you do a search on the forume you will find an anormous amount of info on all 3 boats you have mentioned

Brief summary
S34. We'll made good use of internal space earlier ones had grey interior in the lounge can make it a bit drab good hull there was something on here about chine gel coat issues a while ago
Engine wise some have KAD32. 170hp or KAD 42, 43 230hp preferred option some have mercruiser these are normally slight cheaper
T34 Best hull and performance and build quality Engines KAD42,43 230hp or KAD44 260hp
C34. Good hull and finish, interior fit out seems to have lots of fixing screws showing on roof lining from memory and normally very cream finish, engines as above KAD range

Ensure good service history on engines and out drives/legs , especially on tappets on the KAD44 and have a good surveyor for both boat and engines

There's good indepenant engineers on this forume that can help with surveys

Enjoy you search this weekend
 
itspaul said:
I'm in exactly the same position having sold our boat we are looking at getting another and a sports cruiser is definitely what we want, we will keep it in Majorca like our old boat and we have a budget of 60-70 k and want to be around 10m as I have had a quote of £3800 pa for a berth in a nice marina,we to are very tempted by a zaffiro 34 and the targa 34 also there are a few Jeanneau prestige 34 ,s around in budget for a much newer boat but only a couple of those are diesel we are going to Southampton this weekend to have a look around
Click to expand...

I wish I was in your situation as there seems to be loads of good priced boats all ready in the med with a high spec compared to UK boats & the exchange rate making them a good deal.
 
Gemini said:
S34. We'll made good use of internal space earlier ones had grey interior in the lounge can make it a bit drab good hull there was something on here about chine gel coat issues a while ago
Engine wise some have KAD32. 170hp or KAD 42, 43 230hp preferred option some have mercruiser these are normally slight cheaper
Click to expand...

Actually with the S34 the vast majority had KAD32 engines. The option early on was AD41 6 cylinder, later KAD43. Very very late boats had D4s (2006/2007 models only). From memory the KAD32 boats account for around 75% of all built
 
Gemini said:
C34. Good hull and finish, interior fit out seems to have lots of fixing screws showing on roof lining from memory and normally very cream finish, engines as above KAD range
Click to expand...

Where you're getting confused is that the radar arch covers are held in with screws (and covered with white plastic 'things') - I'll admit, it wasn't their brightest idea, but it's easily gotten over. There are no screws visible down below (interior).
 
Whitelighter said:
Actually with the S34 the vast majority had KAD32 engines. The option early on was AD41 6 cylinder, later KAD43. Very very late boats had D4s (2006/2007 models only). From memory the KAD32 boats account for around 75% of all built
Click to expand...

Considering the S34 is fairly light (compared to Targa 34*) I'd be happy with KAD32's that are likely to be more durable and cheaper to fix.

Pete


* FlowerPower, correct me if I'm wrong!
 
I always wondered would the S34 be under-powered with KAD32's. My Cranchi Z34 had KAD43's and it needed them. Granted, you got 35 knots out of it, and never had an issue fully loaded... but that's the whole point. I'd hate to think what it'd be like with KAD32's.

Granted, the Cranchi 34 felt like a much bigger boat than the S34... but is it?
 
If you want maximum bang for your buck then the S34 and C34, if you want the prettiest boat then T34 (my opinion only lol)

Don't think any of these boats will let you down and they all offer great value.

What about a Bav 33, think Jez had 1 of these?
 
I didnt like the s34 we used to own. To me it felt slow and lifeless and didnt cut through the watet well. Felt a bit like driving a bus. Good interior space for the length though.
 
petem said:
Frank, what's your reason for not looking in the Med?
Click to expand...

I'm not totally put off the idea just worrie's me a little bit when all ready on a limited budget, how things might start to escalate with flights backwards and forwards, hotels, exchange rate fluctuating, and transport costs not mention brokers English becoming poor when things get tricky or paper work is mentioned !
Cheers.
 
Racingfrank7 said:
I'm not totally put off the idea just worrie's me a little bit when all ready on a limited budget, how things might start to escalate with flights backwards and forwards, hotels, exchange rate fluctuating, and transport costs not mention brokers English becoming poor when things get tricky or paper work is mentioned !
Cheers.
Click to expand...

All very valid points, and you are right to be concerned though I wouldn't rule it out.
Of course you need checks and balances in place but you can establish transport costs early on, factor in flight costs and limit them by doing a lot of the legwork by email first, and currency can be lock by the simple provision of a forward contract so you can rest easy without checking the forex rate every 5 minutes.

As you are on a limited budget it might be worth broadening your horizons. Also don't forget not all of Europe is a 2 hour flight away, some of it is just 23 miles across the water...
 
I'm on the world's most limited budget and still consider Med boats to be the best bet.

You can do most countries in a day so no need for hotels and flights are cheap this time of year. Or make a weekend of it and take SWMBO. Despite being risk averse, I'm not too concerned about the VAT and good title bit. You can get a good feel for this yourself and if in any doubt use a UK agent to act on your behalf. It's not expensive either and you'll sleep better at night.

I can't guarantee what the exchange rate will be but at present it feels pretty stable.
 
Racingfrank7 and Itspaul My Cranchi Pelican 32 is up for sale in Empuriabrava Spain. I am in the UK at the moment but happy to arrange a viewing with my English engineer.
He is based there and has looked after my boat since new. PM me if you want to chat

Happy to delete this post if I am breaking any forum rules.
 
Thanks for all that, I guess if it was a substantal saving under budget then it would work, I would just have to seek advise about locking currency that was mentioned earlier.
Its things like fitting heating that I think will add up & eat into the overall budget quite quickly.

To give me a better idea, ( I know every deal is individule & it has been discussed on here time after time so there is no hard & fast rule but what could you guess-estimate at the price you can knock off a med boats advertised price ? )
I know nobody has a crystal ball but it might help me way things up a bit better!!!
Thanks for all the input.
 
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