upgrading to a fairline targa 47

I forgot to mention, re. the main question: a friend of mine bought one of the very first T47s, and in spite of the fact that he wouldn't have any problem to upgrade to something 3x times longer, he keeps saying that the boat gives him all he wants, so they must have done something right at FL with that boat.
The only drawback that he mentioned o me once is the engines accessibility (particularly on one side, can't remember which one).
But surely volvopaul can be more accurate on this point - if actually valid.
 
Ref the 2nd type when I purchased my 2009 model Fairline last year the wheel had suffered quite bad corrosion enough for me to ask BCU to replace it (with one from their store cupboard), no sign of any corrosion on the new one so it maybe just lack of TLC. I comment because of JFM choice of replacement which looks far superior and I imagine less prone to corrosion IMHO
Yep the wheels of the type shown in the second picture above and made in the 2008-9 era suffered pitting corrosion on the chromed surfaces. I had similar wheels on a sq58 and they corroded. However, it seems isotta cured this problem because it didn't happen on my 2011 Sq58 or 2013 Sq58 wheels, which were of the same type
IMG_4953.jpg
 
I don't have the faintest idea about the corrosion resistance differences, if any.
Being built by the same company, I'd expect the same material to be used for the metallic bits, but I'm just guessing.

Otoh, what I never understood is the point of using in boats wheels clearly made to look nice only when perfectly centered, as they normally are in cars.
I mean, in any a/p equipped boat, as obviously Match is, the wheel has just one chance out of 360 (so to speak) to stay centered when the rudders are - which makes the elegance and ergonomic of such wheels pointless.
But please jfm, enlighten me if I'm missing something, 'cause it's a genuine question. :confused:

Isn't it the opposite problem, with an autopilot equipped boat? ie when autopilot is controlling the steering you can do what you like with the wheel, it makes no difference. So you could navigate all the way from your berth in port vauban to say the heady delights of downtown girolata, on autopilot all the way, with your steering wheel perfectly centred for the entire trip.
 
Isn't it the opposite problem, with an autopilot equipped boat? ie when autopilot is controlling the steering you can do what you like with the wheel, it makes no difference. So you could navigate all the way from your berth in port vauban to say the heady delights of downtown girolata, on autopilot all the way, with your steering wheel perfectly centred for the entire trip.
Exactly! The a/p is the solution to the problem, not the cause of it. In cruise my wheel is always perfectly straight, because I straighten it when I engage the a/p!
This answer is a bit t-I-c, mapism. I do realise the problem/need would disappear completely with a simple non-automotive spoked wheel :D
 
Geez, I must admit that I didn't consider that from this viewpoint.
What's next, putting one of the above eye candies officially in charge of straightening the wheel as required? :cool:
 
Omega, ref steering wheels, are you trying to source the first one below or the second?
I have just installed 2x first one, so have newish/mint 2x the second ones available. Black leather, with Fairline shield embossed into the leather central hub, new with a 2013 sq78.

Both types of wheel are Isottas, btw

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IMG_4957.jpg

Can you pm me, its the 2nd one im after so would definetly have one of those from you. Just let me know how much and your contact details.
 
OK yes I have two of the second type (3 pairs silver spokes set 120 degrees apart). Fitted new by fairline on 2013 sq78. Specced with black leather not grey. Centre leather circle has fairline shield (new slightly curved version of shield) embossed. Wheels are completely mint and unmarked

fairline%20wheel%20close.jpg


Used by Jeremy Clarkson in person...
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These are £380 +vat from Fairline, each. When I get round to it I'll put them on eBay, but in advance of that I'll sell at about 40% of new price, ie £190 each, Uk post included. I realise that is still a fairly punchy price but if you want one send me a shipping address by PM and I'll send a bank a/c number. They're in France so I will post next Monday at earliest
 
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Both now sold and money already in my account. Things happen fast on this forum; there sure are some decisive folks around here :encouragement: :D

fairline%20wheel%20close.jpg
 
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I don't understand why you're just upgrading the steering wheels, why don't you go the whole hog and upgrade the boat? It's getting on now, must be almost 3 years old and worn out :cool: and a 'new build' thread would help us through the rest of the winter.
 
Haha! I'm worn out from upgrades to this boat. Since delivery only 32 months ago I have done upgrades like:
hardtop
new stabiliser fins
new super silent variable speed zero-speed stabiliser pump running from new constantly-varying frequency VFD unit
More LED lighting
All new VHF work
New garmin GRID joystick controls
new transducers and chirp echosounder
steering wheels (!)​
Plus zillions of details too boring to mention. Plus general maintence, and cruising the thing. Running that boat is like a full time job/life! you may have seen last week that www.Lumishore.com launched their new range of underwater lights, brighter than ever with new Cree LEDs instead of the previous Phillips LEDs. EME has a plan to swap out the existing Lumishores and install the new ones, including 3 down each hull sides, so that is an upcoming project. New lights proposed are the ones second from right on the www.Lumishore.com home page, which are complete monsters in terms of fixture lumens output even more miles ahead of any competitor than the previous series already were, and are RGBW not RGB, so it is easier to mix pastel colours

Anyway, sorry for OT/thread drift
 
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