We task Nick Burnham with finding four used boat gems for under £50,000
Botnia Targa 25
Botnia Targa 25
1996 £49,950
Practical layout, quality build, epic seakeeping
Botnia began 40 years ago in a small factory in Malax near Vaasa, Finland, with just ten employees.
The H-Boat one-design yacht, launched in 1975, put the company on the map and over 1,000 were built in total. In 1984, production rights for the Targa 25 were purchased from Targa Yachts, eventually spawning the eight-strong range of today, spanning 23 to 44ft.
The 25 ran to 2005 when it was replaced by the 25.1, which looks like an update but is actually a completely new boat.
The unusual forward cockpit and entrance to the heads
Exterior
As alternative as the interior, the cockpit is at the front and a small ‘flybridge’ clings to the aft end of the wheelhouse roof, offering an external driving position. It’s different, but it’s certainly super practical.
Easy to walk around, safe, and light on covers and canopies to fight on and off at the beginning and end of the day.
The exterior driving position sits on top of the wheelhouse
Interior
As genuinely different a concept from ‘normal’ 25-footers then as it is today, the layout of the Targa 25 is rather unique. The toilet is entered from outside and the cabin is accessed via sliding doors either side.
Inside, the cabin is at the back, with a couple of steps from the wheelhouse leading down to two beds either side, the feet of which disappear beneath the aft deck, and the front of which form a small seating area around a drop-down table. It’s typically Scandinavian – functional, practical and well finished.
Batten down the wheelhouse hatches and go anywhere
Performance
A Volvo Penta AQAD 31 150hp diesel engine was an option, but the AQAD 41 200hp diesel fitted to this boat was a worthwhile upgrade, taking the top speed close to 30 knots.
Seakeeping
For all the quirky layout, potting-shed styling and Scandi build quality, the seakeeping is the big news. It’s epic, punching well above its weight and offering real offshore ability with its all-weather wheelhouse.
Data
Length 26ft 3in (8m) Beam 9ft 2in (2.8m) Draught 2ft 11in (0.9m) Displacement 2.9 tonnes Fuel capacity 75 imp gal (340 litres) Engine Volvo Penta AQAD 41 200hp diesel
