Bayliner 245 or Sealine 23/25

Bigplumbs

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At the risk of starting a war. I was wondering which of these boats might be considered the best.

Both are trailable in the UK both can be found in Diesel options. What do you think. Especially in regards to sea keeping.

Both within my Budget

Dennis
 
If you look at pictures of the two, you'll see the Sealine has a slimmer, more pointy bow, a deeper forefoot, and carries that deeper V further back.
This will equate to softer progress upwind, but I'd expect seakeeping ultimately to be about the same.

Personally I prefer the crafted wood interior of the Sealine vs more plastics in the Bayliner, but then again, shiny wood isn't so practical in some respects, and isn't everyone's cup of tea.

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Sealine will almost certainly give a better ride, but the Bayliner will be bigger and more spacious inside (no side decks). Have you been on both for a look?
 
It would be the Sealine for me every time over the American style boats with no side decks.

The Sealine port side deck is adequate - not generous but adequately safe - as route from the cockpit to the bow. This was important to us being river based and going through locks. The starboard side deck is very slim and will be used only when required.

Access to the bow via the windscreen on the bayliner is, by comparison, precarious, especially in wet weather . There may not be rain very often where you intend to keep your boat.
 
I have been on a couple of Sealines and like them but I have been looking at Bayliners and they look very nice inside and you seem to be able to get one that is about 6 - 7 years newer than the sealine for similar money.

I had sort of set my heart on a diesel for economy but now think the petrol Bayliner might very well be a good contender also
 
I did a thread about "hull form and awareness " awhile back.
Flowepower is bang on the money
The Bayliner looks like a shoebox - underwater hull form .
You will enjoy the Sealine more .
 
"At the risk of starting a war" lol... I am sure this is the perfect thread for that...

For me, I just don't understand peoples criticism of central access to the bow via a windscreen. With the size of a small Sealine, the side decks on that would be the precarious experience!!

My central access on what some would call an "American Lake Boat" is fine, and actually very secure. Much better on a smaller boat when space and height is at its premium. I have never felt 'precarious' on my boat when setting lines and fenders.

If I found a Bayliner with a diesel engine I would snap it up over the Sealine. Nicely appointed and you could find a younger boat. Plus they look lovely with their large cabin windows.

As for seakeeping, both are at best Cat C and quite frankly you are not going to want to take them out in more than a F4/5 so personally I wouldn't be too concerned over which performs best in the chop.

However.... As I am sure you will all agree - test them both out and see for yourself.

Regards,

A biased current American sports cruiser owner!
 
As for seakeeping, both are at best Cat C and quite frankly you are not going to want to take them out in more than a F4/5 so personally I wouldn't be too concerned over which performs best in the chop.

I think I did say something along these lines: both will be similar in terms of when things will get "scary" and you are wishing you are in the pub.
But having a hull that slices through the waves is an advantage in choppy conditions.

.
 
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At the risk of starting a war. I was wondering which of these boats might be considered the best.

Both are trailable in the UK both can be found in Diesel options. What do you think. Especially in regards to sea keeping.

Both within my Budget

Dennis

Have you considered any other makes. I'm probably the most inexperienced bloke on this forum but I'm in the market for the same sort of boat but probably not until next year now. I need a few more £. I had a look at a couple of S23's. Both had a single KAD32 170HP. Nice boats and they look well made. I don't know much about them or how they compare to the sealine or bayliner but the Glastron which I also had a look around has the newer D4 engine which is 210HP. Maybe worth a look.

https://www.burtonwaters.co.uk/boat-for-sale/Glastron-GS279-FOR-SALE-5979591.html
 
Have you considered any other makes. I'm probably the most inexperienced bloke on this forum but I'm in the market for the same sort of boat but probably not until next year now. I need a few more £. I had a look at a couple of S23's. Both had a single KAD32 170HP. Nice boats and they look well made. I don't know much about them or how they compare to the sealine or bayliner but the Glastron which I also had a look around has the newer D4 engine which is 210HP. Maybe worth a look.

https://www.burtonwaters.co.uk/boat-for-sale/Glastron-GS279-FOR-SALE-5979591.html

Yes I have looked online at that Glastron and indeed many others and my head is swirling. The choice is wide. There is just me and my wife of average means and the criteria are:

1) Must be small enough to fit on our swing mooring (Cost just £95 per year) depth at low water about 4 foot
2) Must be able to be trailered and towed by my Discovery 2 so I can get it home in the winter (Don't want to pay marina/boat yard fees)
3) Single engine as I doubt we can afford the cost of 2 engines
4) Budget about £30,000 but I have a nice Fletcher 19 GTS to trade in or sell
5) Proper toilet and bed rather than a cuddy as our current boat which we love but now feel we need proper space
6) Diesel would be nice but less power and more expensive initial cost but cheaper on fuel
7) Still have not ruled out Petrol as cheaper servicing, More power and cheaper initial cost to buy
8) Cant be doing with displacement boat. If your hat is not about to blow off you are not going fast enough
9) Must be able of handling a bit of a sea as it will be kept on the east Anglian coast.

Where we boat there is no fuel available so we have to take cans and use the worlds best invention (A jiggle syphon) to fill up so my weird idea is if I get a diesel boat and buy a 1000 ltr tank at home (I have quite a lot of space) and fill it with red diesel at the start of the year at cost around £600, each time we go out we can take 4 x 10 ltr cans from what I have bought and It will seem like fuel cost is nil each time we go out. I know this is not the case but it is all about how you feel on the day

Will not be buying till next year when funds are available so doing far too much research at the moment

Dennis
 
As you seem to like Fletcher boats; how about one of these: http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1417185/

It has the added advantage of 350ci of American iron, which means you get to use your Jiggle Syphon more than you ever dreamt!

(more seriously; they did do a diesel version but perhaps these are now a bit older than the stuff you're looking at?)

Many thanks for posting that I indeed love my Fletchers and have 5 of them. I am ashamed to say that I had no idea they made boats in that size and it is very nice and an excellent price.

I think it is just a little old and maybe a lower head height than I would like inside but still what a find. You have tempted me but I must keep strong

Dennis
 
How about a Jenneau Leader 805? Got more internal room than the Sealine and Bayliner.

+1 on this. In the 25ft category, I think the Leader 805 is the best of the bunch over-all.

Some things to note re. 805:
1) Canopy is a pain to store away / erect
2) Electrics are very basic. From factory there's no change-over switch. No dedicated electrics board (fuses hidden behind panel) ... easy fix
3) Not sure if a calorifier is fitted from factory as standard. If there is an immersion, it's certainly not hooked up to the engine. Again not a big deal, but something to consider.
4) Never seen one with a diesel heater (Eberspacher etc.)
5) Lots for sale without trim tabs, a must IMHO


But if I were going for a 25ft sports cruiser, i'd certainly consider the 805, but allow some ££ to bring it up to spec
 
+1 on this. In the 25ft category, I think the Leader 805 is the best of the bunch over-all.

Some things to note re. 805:
1) Canopy is a pain to store away / erect
2) Electrics are very basic. From factory there's no change-over switch. No dedicated electrics board (fuses hidden behind panel) ... easy fix
3) Not sure if a calorifier is fitted from factory as standard. If there is an immersion, it's certainly not hooked up to the engine. Again not a big deal, but something to consider.
4) Never seen one with a diesel heater (Eberspacher etc.)
5) Lots for sale without trim tabs, a must IMHO


But if I were going for a 25ft sports cruiser, i'd certainly consider the 805, but allow some ££ to bring it up to spec

Just looked at a few and not sure I like the circular seating arrangement at the back and also they are stretching my budget a bit too much especially as I would need a trailer

Dennis
 
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