Motor Boat & Yachting — August 2017

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.

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.

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.

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 FILE

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

FOR SALE Wessex Marine.

Web: http://www.wessexmarine.co.uk

Batten down the

wheelhouse hatches

and go anywhere

The exterior driving

position sits on top

of the wheelhouse

1996 £49,950

Botnia Targa 25

The unusual forward

cockpit and entrance

to the heads

★★★★

RATING

Flying potting

shed looks

Practical layout,

quality build,

epic seakeeping

★

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