Discussion
Why is the SC35 popular? Because it's cheap.
I looked at Sealines when looking for my first boat and it's always been the quality (or relative lack of) which has stopped me buying. They have some great ideas for use of space but that's it. The SC48 at the boat show was very poor. Stairs leading down to the galley which were wooden, slippy and with no raised edge or rail to prevent you from crashing 6 or 7 feet to a pelvic smashing impact on the wooden galley floor. They even put a step on the landing zone to ensure a good fracture !
When climbing back up the stairs (carefully), the riser on the top step is a bit higher to make sure you bash your shin bone on the saloon floor.
We had Fairlines for a long time but have moved across to Princess, owning a P42. Get yourself down to Princess Swanwick and see what they've got by way of stock boats to do a bit of a deal on. You'll thank me.
When you know boats and use them in anger you look at them in a very different light.
Henry
Edited to add:
I've just re-read you last post.
I have the Flybridge P42. A lot more interior space than a sports boat. Importantly it also runs shafts rather than outdrives which will save a lot of money in annual maintenance and are supremely reliable. I bought new from Princess Swanwick and have to say the service was superb. Roger Lipman is their main chap down there, Adam Essex who I dealt with has moved to London, but to be honest it's a very open house in terms of who you deal with. Everybody knows you and what you are buying.
I spoke with them at the boat show about a few options and so know what is on the table at the moment. Why do you have to have brand new as a first boat? Take something that's in as new condition, possibly better because it's had any teething problems sorted), and you also get the options thrown in for free.
You'd get into a P42 with the more modern Volvo D6 engines for under £300k. Keep in mind that also that the Princess might cost more it will sell for more when you want rid. A flybridge is also a year round boat rather than a sunny day boat.
If you do speak with Princess at Swanwick tell them Henry said they have to look after you
There are a load of boats on the Market including some very oddball choices. When you start out all you can see are the superficial innovations, such as the triple bunk in the SC 35 and Sealine have always been great with internal accommodation innovations but I now look at a boat in a totally different way having used one in anger for 15 years. Don't rush in feet first and later regret it, especially if buying new where you won't be able to get out unless you take a big hit. The older you go the less the potential loss if you need to sell which might happen with your first one.
Good luck and if I can be of any help just ask. We will be on ours in the next couple of weeks if you want to come and ask any questions. We're based in Gosport.
Henry
I looked at Sealines when looking for my first boat and it's always been the quality (or relative lack of) which has stopped me buying. They have some great ideas for use of space but that's it. The SC48 at the boat show was very poor. Stairs leading down to the galley which were wooden, slippy and with no raised edge or rail to prevent you from crashing 6 or 7 feet to a pelvic smashing impact on the wooden galley floor. They even put a step on the landing zone to ensure a good fracture !
When climbing back up the stairs (carefully), the riser on the top step is a bit higher to make sure you bash your shin bone on the saloon floor.
We had Fairlines for a long time but have moved across to Princess, owning a P42. Get yourself down to Princess Swanwick and see what they've got by way of stock boats to do a bit of a deal on. You'll thank me.
When you know boats and use them in anger you look at them in a very different light.
Henry
Edited to add:
I've just re-read you last post.
I have the Flybridge P42. A lot more interior space than a sports boat. Importantly it also runs shafts rather than outdrives which will save a lot of money in annual maintenance and are supremely reliable. I bought new from Princess Swanwick and have to say the service was superb. Roger Lipman is their main chap down there, Adam Essex who I dealt with has moved to London, but to be honest it's a very open house in terms of who you deal with. Everybody knows you and what you are buying.
I spoke with them at the boat show about a few options and so know what is on the table at the moment. Why do you have to have brand new as a first boat? Take something that's in as new condition, possibly better because it's had any teething problems sorted), and you also get the options thrown in for free.
You'd get into a P42 with the more modern Volvo D6 engines for under £300k. Keep in mind that also that the Princess might cost more it will sell for more when you want rid. A flybridge is also a year round boat rather than a sunny day boat.
If you do speak with Princess at Swanwick tell them Henry said they have to look after you
There are a load of boats on the Market including some very oddball choices. When you start out all you can see are the superficial innovations, such as the triple bunk in the SC 35 and Sealine have always been great with internal accommodation innovations but I now look at a boat in a totally different way having used one in anger for 15 years. Don't rush in feet first and later regret it, especially if buying new where you won't be able to get out unless you take a big hit. The older you go the less the potential loss if you need to sell which might happen with your first one.
Good luck and if I can be of any help just ask. We will be on ours in the next couple of weeks if you want to come and ask any questions. We're based in Gosport.
Henry
Edited by Henry-F on Monday 10th October 23:28
Very good advice above! 
With boats you get what you pay for, and I'll echo what was said above. There's a reason the Sealine is cheap. (Relatively)
I had a chat with one of the Sealine Guys here yesterday, and I asked him about these, he very obviously had his Sealine hat on!
Untill then I didn't realize these had outdrives. O.K. for a boat that gets trailered away and washed down after each use, but for a boat that stays in the water, again as said above, a maintainence nightmare. (You have to be very carefull with your choice of antifouling! And I've found from experience Trilux to be very inefective.)
As I mentioned before, better to buy something older with better build quality.
Whatever the salesman tells you, you'll be seeing a lot of the product support Guys for the first 18 months with a brand new boat.
The other problem I see with production boats, is that once you're in, you get stuck with the "Brand" as the only way you can recoup some of your outlay, is to trade up with the same brand, I see it with Sunseeker, Princess, and Sealine all the time.
With boats you get what you pay for, and I'll echo what was said above. There's a reason the Sealine is cheap. (Relatively)
I had a chat with one of the Sealine Guys here yesterday, and I asked him about these, he very obviously had his Sealine hat on!
Untill then I didn't realize these had outdrives. O.K. for a boat that gets trailered away and washed down after each use, but for a boat that stays in the water, again as said above, a maintainence nightmare. (You have to be very carefull with your choice of antifouling! And I've found from experience Trilux to be very inefective.)
As I mentioned before, better to buy something older with better build quality.
Whatever the salesman tells you, you'll be seeing a lot of the product support Guys for the first 18 months with a brand new boat.
The other problem I see with production boats, is that once you're in, you get stuck with the "Brand" as the only way you can recoup some of your outlay, is to trade up with the same brand, I see it with Sunseeker, Princess, and Sealine all the time.
Some very wise words from the 2 guys above.
Buying new = ironing out lots of small issues, very frustrating.
Buying new = extra outlay for nav instruments, warps, fenders, safety etc, stuff that often comes included in a used boat (and can easily run to tens of thousands)
Without being up to speed on build quality of these type of boats, if everything else you like new is significantly more, then there is probably a reason - buying better built quality at 18 - 36 months old will definitely hold more value.
On the looks of this sealine, having never seen one in the plastic, the pic above of the plain white one looks quite nice IMO.
Finally, personally I would not go for out drives on a boat this size, same as I don't like sail drives on yachts, poor handling, higher maintenance costs, more expense when damaged. Rule of thumb, the only expensive thing that should be in the water is the hull!!
Buying new = ironing out lots of small issues, very frustrating.
Buying new = extra outlay for nav instruments, warps, fenders, safety etc, stuff that often comes included in a used boat (and can easily run to tens of thousands)
Without being up to speed on build quality of these type of boats, if everything else you like new is significantly more, then there is probably a reason - buying better built quality at 18 - 36 months old will definitely hold more value.
On the looks of this sealine, having never seen one in the plastic, the pic above of the plain white one looks quite nice IMO.
Finally, personally I would not go for out drives on a boat this size, same as I don't like sail drives on yachts, poor handling, higher maintenance costs, more expense when damaged. Rule of thumb, the only expensive thing that should be in the water is the hull!!
... whoops!!Henry-F said:
XJSJohn said:
Rule of thumb, the only expensive thing that should be in the water is the hull!!
Or your iPhone when you're leaning over to adjust the fenders Henry
Any good captain knows that adjusting fenders is the wife's job. The captain's job of course being on the helm to return the vessel to pick up said fenders when they fall off.
Congratulations on your purchase. Clearly people have different opinions on different brands but ultimately Sealine are one of the big 4 UK builders and I think the UK sets it's bar fairly high in terms of what's on the world market.
My first big boat was a Fairline targa 35, not dissimilar vessel to the one you've got coming.
As you say there is a lot to learn but the great thing about boating is there are loads of people willing to help and give advice. Where are you going to keep it? We are based in Haslar Marina Gosport. Nice and easy access to the Solent, well sheltered and decent people.
I think most of the marinas have space these days, a far cry from when I started and you had to go on waiting lists!
Google "YBM" and go on their forum - the motor boat section. A very active and specialist boating forum. If you can't find out something on there it doesn't exist !
We will be cruising throughout the winter so if you fancy some company get in touch. It's a good time to learn the ropes because numbers are way down and you can get in anywhere.
Once again congratulations.
Henry
My first big boat was a Fairline targa 35, not dissimilar vessel to the one you've got coming.
As you say there is a lot to learn but the great thing about boating is there are loads of people willing to help and give advice. Where are you going to keep it? We are based in Haslar Marina Gosport. Nice and easy access to the Solent, well sheltered and decent people.
I think most of the marinas have space these days, a far cry from when I started and you had to go on waiting lists!
Google "YBM" and go on their forum - the motor boat section. A very active and specialist boating forum. If you can't find out something on there it doesn't exist !
We will be cruising throughout the winter so if you fancy some company get in touch. It's a good time to learn the ropes because numbers are way down and you can get in anywhere.
Once again congratulations.
Henry
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Lambo FirstBlood said:
Good thanks. I've bought one. Arrives December. Got a great deal and I'm very excited even though there appears to be a huge amount to learn!
love your style.
Tried it.
Liked it.
Bought it.
(ignored petty comments about it)
Congratulations on your new purchase ... at least you have now gone in eyes open to the pitfalls of the purchase (and it is a boat, every single boat has its own unique pitfalls ..... )
Enjoy the boating, enjoy the G&T's and enjoy the pottering about doing stuff!
Rgds,
XJSJohn who has just spent nigh on GBP3k on stuff whilst pottering about the chandlery last weekend!!
my final warning, it's addictive!!
Take no notice of the nasty people Lambo.
You have purchased a new boat and can expect it to be totally faultless and not requiring a penny spent on it for at least five years. Other than just a few quid in the tank of course.
Honest.
Good on you for doing it though and welcome to the burning fossil fuel whilst imbibing in G&T because we can club.
You have purchased a new boat and can expect it to be totally faultless and not requiring a penny spent on it for at least five years. Other than just a few quid in the tank of course.
Honest.
Good on you for doing it though and welcome to the burning fossil fuel whilst imbibing in G&T because we can club.
MOTORVATOR said:
You have purchased a new boat and can expect it to be totally faultless and not requiring a penny spent on it for at least five years.
My plan too - if there are any issues I shall expect the MD to come out and fix it I'll do my best consuming G&T but I can't promise to burn much fossil fuel - looks like a pathetic 2.6 litres an hour, sorry. :chortle:
Lambo FirstBlood said:
mickrick said:
So how was your test drive/sea trial?
Good thanks. I've bought one. Arrives December. Got a great deal and I'm very excited even though there appears to be a huge amount to learn!Hope you don't think my negative comments where petty. I've been in, on and around boats and yards for years, so I think my comments have some grounding. (Apart from my comments about it being ugly!That's just an oppinion, and the beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that)
What other boats did you sea trial before this one, to compare it to?
Whatever, I wish you may happy hours of trouble free messing about on the water.
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