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Targa 96
Designer: Hans Groop  ·  Builder: Targa Yachts (Fin)  ·  First built: 1975
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About the Targa 96

A sleek and capable offshore cruiser, the Targa 96 is a vessel that reflects the Scandinavian boatbuilding tradition of producing seaworthy, practical yachts built for real-world sailing conditions. Designed with bluewater performance in mind, this boat appeals to sailors who prioritize reliability and comfort over long passages rather than purely racing-oriented speed. While detailed specifications are limited, the Targa 96's design lineage suggests a hull form well-suited to offshore and coastal cruising, offering the kind of stability and sea-keeping ability that experienced sailors look for when planning extended voyages. Targa yachts have generally been associated with solid construction quality and sensible deck layouts that make handling manageable for short-handed crews. For those researching a bluewater-capable cruising yacht, the Targa 96 represents a thoughtful choice worth investigating further. Prospective buyers would be well advised to seek out owners' forums and class associations to gather firsthand accounts of the boat's performance characteristics, as community knowledge often reveals the nuanced strengths and quirks that specifications alone cannot capture.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.50 ft / 9.60 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.59 ft / 7.80 m
Beam 9.88 ft / 3.01 m
Max Draft 4.92 ft / 1.50 m
Displacement 9,039.00 lb / 4,100 kg
Ballast 3,527.00 lb / 1,600 kg
Sail Area (Reported) -Main: 20 m² / 215.3 ft²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Hans Groop
Builder Targa Yachts (FIN)
First Built 1975
Number Built 115
Related Sailboats ["Oday 32" · "Ericson 32" · "Cal 31" · "Columbia 96" · "Fuji 32"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
7.93
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
39.02
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
240.8
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 5.42 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 20.11
P (Mainsail Luff) 543.58 ft² / 50.50 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Volvo Penta
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 42 gals / 159 L
Water Capacity 42 gals / 159 L
How It Compares

vs. Cal 31, Columbia 96, Ericson 32

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Targa 96 ★
31.5 ft
Cal 31
31.5 ft
Columbia 96
31.5 ft
Ericson 32
31.6 ft
LWL
Targa 96 ★
25.6 ft
Cal 31
25.7 ft
Columbia 96
23.8 ft
Ericson 32
24.0 ft
Beam
Targa 96 ★
9.9 ft
Cal 31
10.0 ft
Columbia 96
10.2 ft
Ericson 32
9.7 ft
Displacement
Targa 96 ★
9 lbs
Cal 31
9 lbs
Columbia 96
10 lbs
Ericson 32
8 lbs
Ballast
Targa 96 ★
3 lbs
Cal 31
3 lbs
Columbia 96
4 lbs
Ericson 32
4 lbs
Sail Area
Targa 96 ★
Cal 31
490 sq ft
Columbia 96
457 sq ft
Ericson 32
452 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Targa 96 ★
Cal 31
156 s/nm
Columbia 96
Ericson 32
192 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Targa 96 ★
7.9
Cal 31
18.0
Columbia 96
15.6
Ericson 32
17.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Targa 96 ★
39.0 %
Cal 31
Columbia 96
44.1 %
Ericson 32
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Targa 96 ★
Cal 31
24.1
Columbia 96
27.5
Ericson 32
25.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Targa 96 ★
Cal 31
1.91
Columbia 96
1.88
Ericson 32
1.88
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Targa 96 ★
240
Cal 31
Columbia 96
339
Ericson 32
Hull Speed
Targa 96 ★
Cal 31
6.8 kts
Columbia 96
6.5 kts
Ericson 32
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Targa 96 ★
Cal 31
2.3
Columbia 96
1.4
Ericson 32
1.9
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