Layouts

Layouts

This page covers the usual layout but scroll down for the more interesting aspects and the hidden features you’ll only real see once you own a T40 and missed by reviewers and the brokerage write ups.

  • COCKPIT
  • LOWER DECK
  • FOREDECK
  • STERN/GARAGE
  • OPTIONS/EXTRAS
  • HIDDEN FEATURES

This advert link is of a ‘sold’ boat but has a vast gallery of excellent quality pictures.

This advert link allows a 360 tour (scroll under main picture to see option)

Cockpit: Helm seat; Navigator L-shaped seating; Table and U-shaped seating; Wetbar; Sunpad and stowage locker

The cockpit is well thought out with a single helm seat and plenty of room for crew on the L-shaped seating opposite. The cockpit area has the best of both worlds with a U-shaped dinette next to the wetbar (fridge/BBQ griddle/sink) and a large sunpad on top of the garage. The sunpad becomes huge when the backrest of the adjacent seat flips forward. Stowage under helm seat, port and stern dinette seats and sunpad.
Lower Deck: Forward and Aft Cabins, Head, Saloon and Galley
Below decks there is an excellent balance of accommodation for a sports cruiser.

The galley and saloon is airy and offers a decent level of facilities with a big fridge, gas/electric combi-microwave oven and two ring gas/electric hob. General storage is very good and includes a massive hatch in the saloon walkway floor and storage under the four sofa seats. The C-shaped dinette opposite easily seats four and can be converted to an extra berth(s) with the infill; one person is fine but two just isn’t realistic.

The forward master cabin has good headroom around the double berth with jack and jill en-suite access to the single head which is shared with saloon. Storage is peppered throughout with the port-side wardrobe, under bed areas, air-craft style cupboards and neat recesses within the side-panels.

The head is very workable albeit compact and Fairline’s rotating circular shower door does a reasonable job of not making it a wet room.

The aft cabin is more than reasonable with full standing headroom in the doorway, twin berths with an infill, a bench seat next to the dressing table or optional basin/tap and a full height wardrobe (which tucks away the AC electric cabinet) and three storage lockers.

Stern: Garage; Engine Room access; Passerelle locker; Ladder; Recessed locker (for Liferaft stowage)

Foredeck: Coachroof sunpad, Window/escape hatch & Anchor locker

Engine Room: The ER is renowned for being tight as can be seen in these photos. There is no standing room even at the base of the ‘step’ down from the hatch and access is tight to the portside battery bank if there is a GenSet.

OPTIONS / EXTRAS:

– TV Cabinet. These were part of installation up to 2004 to account for the depth of TVs before flat screens became the norm. They were positioned on the bulkhead starboard of the stairs over the electrical panel and food prep area. In truth there is no ideal ergonomic position for a TV in the saloon. It would be on the outer aspect of the curved shower wall but this would obstruct the walkway. The cabinet would have been acceptable for the remit but I find mine a great addition for storage without affecting head room space. Small flat screen TVs are often installed above the sink or cantilevered on brackets but I favour the forward bulkhead which allows a much larger static screen (as above).
– Washbasin in aft cabin. It goes without saying that this optional extra would be a disappointing omission from the build but I have seen them advertised. There is a clever slot behind the sink which allows vertical storage of the cover when not needed. If not added then this is classed as the dressing table.

– Skylight in aft cabin. This option was highly commended in various reviews for the light it gives the cabin. Otherwise a GRP blanking panel is fitted next to the ‘glovebox’ storage recess.

– Electric BBQ griddle. If the griddle wasn’t installed in the wetbar unit then you had an open bar/worktop with drainage although there could still be a hinged cover.

– Generator. UK spec’d boats may be gas and not have (or need) a genset whilst Med spec’s with A/C or for those wishing to be gas free or have increased need for more electricity may have original or retro fits. The classic gensets were Onan which are big units and positioned forward in the engine room. Retrofits or replacements can be much smaller which will free up engine room space and improve manoeuvrability especially to the battery bank on the port side. See ENGINE ROOM section above for pics.

– Air Conditioning. A routine extra for the Med in conjunction with a Genset. Factory fit was for 2 units but retro fits might just involve one for cost reasons. One unit was usually under the forward most saloon sofa seat or under the saloon floor (and carpet) just outside the Head. The second unit is much harder to find and involves removing the stairs and then the floor panel; not easy for servicing and maintenance!

– Gas bottle storage unit. Another benefit of a non-gas boat is the extra stowage the gas bottle storage locker offers. It is located under the wetbar sink though being next to the stern gate is great for storing shoes. I’ve also heard of it being used for an ice-maker machine as plumbing and discharge pipe are readily available.

– Heating. I had wrongly assumed that a heating system would be a natural inclusion when purchasing my T40 given it had a Genset and Aircon and the brokerage stated it had heating. I mistook the numerous carbon dioxide monitors for fancy heating controllers pre-purchase! I’ve been very disappointed with reverse cycling air-con heating and resorted to plug-in hot air heaters which being compact are easy to store and more than adequate compared to an expensive and messy retrofit.

– Tender launching frame. It has recently come to light that some T40 weren’t fitted with the launching frame and the clips/recesses in the garage floor and bathing platform. Strange option so check is there!

HIDDEN FEATURES:

  • Storage under forward bed. The 2 drawers are easily seen but there is a large locker accessed by lifting up the bed. There is also a small locker/recess at the bow end, under the mattress. Requires cleaning to prevent mould at least once a season.
  • Dinner plate storage. Fooled many a new owner but there is a cut-out recess in the corner of the worktop next to the electrical control panel. The worktop lid lifts out to reveal moulded sections for plates and bowls. Unfortunately, the level of the worktop tilts slightly to the stern so any stray water from washing up follows gravity into the recess!
  • Saloon waste bin and stairs. The bin is literally rubbish; its too small and located within the upper stairs that don’t fully lift up. The stairs are also steep so beware (and hold the rail) if you have mobility issues. I overcame both these deficiencies with a rebuild and gained excellent extra storage – see LINKS section.
  • Saloon berth conversion. Unusually for a Targa the T40 infill doesn’t involve the simple method of dropping the table to support the cushion. First, the saloon table isn’t fixed and, despite being a work of art, causes a problem as it’s big, heavy and bulky to relocate in the galley area even when the table top is flipped over on itself. Secondly, the infill platform is also heavy with metal edging and is cumbersome to retrieve, which is usually from under the forward amidships berth (if a holding tank is fitted then I’m not sure where else it could feasibly go), and then to manoeuvre (without damaging the numerous lacquered wooden surfaces) to rest on the edges of C-shaped sofa framework. There is a small supporting leg for the middle. The large infill cushion then sits on top. Overall doable, yes, but a PITA and on this basis I redesigned and constructed my own with a permanent base. See LINKS section.
  • Aft cabin berth infill. To convert the two singles into a large double (even treble for kids) benefits from a very clever design. The floor section between the berths lifts up and is flipped over to reveal an attached mattress infill. This is then supported on 2 metal struts that rotate out from under each berth (forward – storage or holding tank; stern – fresh water tank). There is further access in floor area to a bilge pump.
  • Vanity Unit in the Heads. This isn’t just a mirror but cleverly swivels to reveal a storage area.
  • Stool and sofa stowage. Each of the four sofa seats has a stowage recess inside the base and provision was made in the end units for the two stools to fit perfectly when not in use. Sofa shown here in extra berth mode. The HIN number tag is in the base of the unit shown.