The price of Finnish quality
The Terhi 480C is the epitome of Scandinavian construction. The build quality is there, and you know that the boat you buy will be there for the long haul, standing the test of time and the many trips and launches typical of transportable boats.
This quality comes at a cost, however, and the base price of the Terhi 480C is relatively high for a boat only 4.80 m long. The unit is marketed in France at a retail price of ?21,262 incl. VAT.
Options for "living on board
Terhi customers can add a range of options to suit their individual requirements. The main one is the aft bimini, whose cleverly designed rail allows the cabin to be fully enclosed, providing protection from the sun or rain, depending on the weather. The upholstery will complete the crew's comfort.
Other navigation-related options include electronics and interceptors to manage the boat's balance and heel, which are very sensitive on boats of this size.
Little direct competition
Customers looking for a powerboat with a cabin in the sub-5-meter segment will have a hard time finding what they're looking for from the major manufacturers. To stay with the mass-market brands, you'll have to think bigger, with the budget that goes with it, as with a Merry Fisher 605 Series 2. You'll have to pay more than twice the price of a Terhi 480C, at 48,720 incl. VAT. The program is obviously more extensive, and not really comparable.
So you'll have to scratch and explore further than the tip of your bow to find the right model. As is often the case, if you head for the UK or Northern Europe, you'll find original transportables.
British boatbuilder Orkney, renowned for its sturdy boats like the Terhi, sells to both professionals and pleasure boaters. The Orkney catalog includes two units between 4.5 m and 5 m in length, both with cabins. The Orkney 452, 4.52 m long, sleeps 5, as does its big brother, the Orkney Longliner 16, 4.88 m long. Both feature a small, protective cabin at the front, with a more advanced cockpit than the Terhi. The 452 will cost just over £15,000, or ?18,400, and is more fully equipped than the Longliner 16, which will sell for ?13,650 by the end of 2024.
If not, you'll have to search the second-hand boat market and find the pearl you're looking for, from the Rio 480 Cabin to the Esteou 480 or Jeanneau's Seabird. Work ahead!
