BOAT REPORT


THE TEST


PERFORMANCE TEST ENGINES Volvo Penta D4 300. Twin 300hp @ 3,500rpm. 3.7-litre, 4-cylinder diesels


FIGURES ECO FAST MAX


RPM 1,500 2,100 2,300 2,700 2,900 3,100 3,300 3,500 Speed 9.7 20.0 23.5 30.2 32.9 35.4 38.1 40.9 LPH 23 41 50 68 78 88 103 113 GPH 5.06 9.02 11.0 15.0 17.2 19.4 22.7 24.9 MPG 1.92 2.22 2.1 2.02 1.92 1.83 1.68 1.65 Range 202 234 226 213 202 193 178 174


SOUND LEVELS dB(A) Helm 65 70 70 73 73 76 76 80 Cockpit 83 88 85 87 93 93 95 95 Saloon 70 75 75 77 78 81 82 80


Speed in knots. GPH & MPG figures use imperial gallons. Range in nautical miles and allows for 20% reserve. Calculated figures based on readings from on-board fuel gauges, your figures may vary considerably. All prices include VAT. 100% fuel, 25% water, 2 crew, no stores or tender; liferaft on board, 23ºC air temp, F2 + calm conditions for sea trials


We and the boats are caked in sea salt but no-one’s complaining; the Targa adapted to the varied conditions and conquered them


the 30.1 to fl ex its muscles and top 40 knots. On the way back, in a messy, trough-ridden sea, the boat came alive, demonstrating why Botnia’s reputation for building fearsome sea boats is so well founded. In the same way you don’t buy this boat for the comfort and


spaciousness of the deck space, the same can be said for the sleeping accommodation. There are boats of this size with far more spacious and luxurious cabins, but if internal living space is your priority, you’re unlikely to consider something in the Targa mould anyway. Forward on the 30.1 there is a dark double cabin which, though


My knees fl ex and my grip on the wheel tightens in expectation of


a shuddering slam that never arrives as I look over to the 32, which is doing the same. Spray fl ies over the wheelhouse, heads duck and smiles emerge as both boats power undeterred towards Old Harry rocks. There’s a feeling of absolute dependability on board a Targa, so it’s little wonder police forces around the world use them as patrol boats. We glide past the Sandbanks chain ferry and down the eastern


channel back to Salterns Marina. We and the boats are caked in salt but no-one’s complaining; we’d experienced a varied spectrum of conditions and the Targa had adapted to and conquered them all. In the short, sharp chop on the way over to the island, the hull clipped across it with consummate ease before the calm of the Solent allowed


reasonably spacious, lacks storage space or an easily accessed bathroom facility. Though the master cabin aft fairs better in terms of space and storage there is still a pretty signifi cant restriction on headroom and a lot of levels to negotiate in the fl oor space. You do, however, get a very generous double berth as well as a cosy pipe berth. These accommodation compromises are nothing new for Botnia,


though; the boats by design have always been about safety and seakeeping fi rst. If you want plush cabins, sunpads and gizmos then look elsewhere but if you want a rock-solid, dependable boat that will be with you side-by-side in any weather you choose to throw at it then the Botnia Targa is still a standout performer. Contact Wessex Marine. Tel: +44 (0)1202 700702. Web: www.targa.fi


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