Boat Test: 2026 Targa 41

The Targa 41 offers a secure and comfortable ride. Courtesy Targa Visit Targa Find a Targa Dealer Overview

I had been waiting to test a Targa ever since first running one at the Volvo Penta test center in Sweden a few years back. So, when New England and Annapolis boat dealer, East Coast Yacht Sales, made a boat available, I jumped at the chance. The Targa 41 proved worth the wait.

Let’s start with categorization. We know adventure boats are all the rage, and represent day-cruisers marked by versatility and Nordic lines. We know that expedition yachts are vessels designed for owners seeking to live aboard and explore remote, off-grid waters. The Targa 41 represents a blend of these types. Call it an explorer boat. It possesses the adventure boat’s speed, maneuverability and, with that massive platform, great water access. At the same time, this flying-bridge boat with two spacious staterooms can provide a weeks-long getaway for boat buyers seeking to take their own sweet time exploring New England, the Bahamas or Georgian Bay.

Riding a deep-V hull and sporting a walkaround deckhouse and reverse rake windshield, the Targa 41 presents as a serious boat. High bulwarks and substantial stainless-steel rails result in a secure feel underfoot, whether you’re working your way forward in a seaway or simply moving around the deck at the dock.

And while Targa hasn’t abandoned its traditional look, the 41 does offer some concessions—I’ll call them improvements—to suit modern boaters. Hullside windows bring more natural light below, while larger expanses of glass in the pilothouse give the boat a more contemporary appearance. Three large overhead hatches above the helm further brighten the interior. Combined with port and starboard sidedeck access from the helm, the 41 Targa’s pilothouse is as functional as it is appealing.

Heading across boisterous eastern Long Island Sound, visibility proved good forward, aft and abeam, and whether seated or standing as we cruised through 2- to 3-foot seas at a comfortable 25 mph. Pushing it to 34 mph in that chop didn’t make the boat flinch.

The helm blends classic styling with modern electronics. Courtesy Targa Engines

Power comes from twin Volvo Penta D6 diesels with either sterndrive or IPS pod drives turning contra-rotating propellers. We hit 44.8 mph with twin Volvo Penta D6 480 hp diesel sterndrives with four people aboard, 2/3 fuel and a normal complement of gear.

A 25-mph cruise is meaningful when you’re crossing open water, and the boat’s protected helm means you aren’t forced to choose between making miles and getting beaten up by the weather. The plan of the pilothouse allows good crew interaction underway, so all can enjoy the journey together.

The main deck provides a galley and social space. Courtesy Targa Interior and Accessories

The Targa 41’s flybridge gives the skipper a second command station, a great place from which to navigate shoal water, and an elevated place to enjoy the scenery. It was raining and blowing on test day, and so I piloted from the lower helm. Still, I can say that the ’bridge was easily accessed, accommodates seven and can be equipped with a folding windscreen and Bimini. Standing at the flybridge helm seat and looking aft, I could see both transom corners—a thing I look for on all bridge boats as it makes docking easier (though a cockpit remote is available). Note that Targa now also offers a Coupé version without the flybridge.

That choice is significant. The Coupé not only creates a sleeker profile but reduces overall height for owners who regularly contend with fixed bridges. A large opening roof hatch and glass overhead panel maintain the light and airy character of the pilothouse.

Below, the Targa 41’s layout reflects the builder’s Scandinavian emphasis on practicality. Two cabins occupy the accommodations deck, with sleeping arrangements that can be configured for extended cruising. Aft and forward heads serve the cabins, while the main deck provides a galley and social space without sacrificing the working-boat character that defines the brand. Make no mistake though: The Targa’s workboat heritage does not mean a rough-and-ready vibe. The cabin is warm and inviting in the salty manner of a well-found boat. Joiner work in the cabin was marked by careful selection of teak so that the grain and tone matched throughout. I was impressed, and I’m aboard a lot of boats.

Attention to detail is found from stem to stern. Courtesy Targa

The aft deck is equally useful. Access to the engines lies beneath the hatches and I discovered a well-found mechanical space, expertly rigged and with easy service access for all common items. Topside, Targa has resisted the temptation to turn every square foot of this cockpit, which is a step above the platform, into a lounge. Instead, there’s room to carry equipment, tend a tender or simply use the space as a practical outdoor living area. That versatility is one of this boat’s strongest attributes.

Read Next: Volvo Penta D6 Diesel DPI

Comparison boats are thin on the ground. Shoppers might consider Ranger Tugs’ R-43 CB. It is a bit longer, 1 foot wider, but its side decks are not as wide and protected as those of the Targa 41. It is powered by twin Volvo Penta IPS 500 pods and carries 300 gallons of fuel. There are no diesel sterndrive choices. Its pricing starts at $1,359,937.

The Targa 41 affords range, seakeeping and speed. Its layout offers the boat’s crew numerous opportunities to find their own space aboard, while still providing natural pedestrian flow throughout. The craftsmanship is top-notch and the design is purposeful without being too stark. I believe that the more you know boats, the likelier it is that you’ll love the Targa 41.

The Targa 41’s flybridge gives the skipper a second command station, a great place from which to navigate shoal water, and an elevated place to enjoy the scenery. Courtesy Targa How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 480 hp Volvo Penta D6 diesels
• Drive/Prop: Sterndrive/H5 DuoProp
• Gear Ratio:1.69:1 Fuel Load: 260 gal. Water on Board: 65 gal. Crew Weight: 725 lb.
  

High Points

• Delivered excellent ride and confident handling in choppy water. 
• Helm slider to sidedecks; easy bow-to-stern access; and a platform that will hold a dinghy are just some of this exploration cruiser’s awesome attributes.
• Delightful layout provides the flow and space required for crew comfort and privacy aboard.

Low Points

• Deep sidedecks cut into cabin space compared to express-style boats.
• Chafe protection lacking on some hoses penetrating a bulkhead beneath the forward berth.
• I’d like to see some nonskid or grip tape on top of the crossmember used as a step down into the engine space.

Pricing and Specs Price:$1,750,000 (well-equipped)LOA:45’4″Beam:13’1.5″Draft (min, DPI):2’10”Displacement (approx.):24,250 lb.Transom Deadrise:20 degreesBridge Clearance (mast folded):12’6″Max Cabin Headroom:7’6″Fuel Capacity:396 gal.Water Capacity:92 gal.Max Horsepower:960Available Power:Twin Volvo Penta Diesel IPS pods or sterndrives to 960 hp total Speed, Efficiency, Operation Targa 41 Certified Test Results Boating Magazine Contact Targa

Targa – Malax, Finland; targa.fi

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