Buying advice F37

Ours is an early 2001 boat, and we love it. The options were KAMD43P (230hp) or KAMD44P (260hp) at the time. A few observations (others will jump in, I'm sure):

The KAMD44's are the same as the 43's, but with 24 valve heads. It is a more complex arrangement, and needs to be carefully set up and properly maintained.

The 'standard spec' includes sod all nav gear, so check carefully. Dual station colour radar plotters, scanner and autopilot will set you back a bob or two, and will be a [--word removed--] to retrofit.

Tender chocks are good, but how do you get the tender on and off them? We added a crane, and that cost a bob or two also.

Not seen one without cockpit teak. If you want to add teak to the cockpit and flybridge, that's another bob or two.

Price is good, which may in part be due to all the bob's noted above. Hours are low, so check for maintenance on the engines.

Fuel consumption? We've seen anywhere between 1.25 and 1.4 mpg, depending on how enthusiastic you get with the loud sticks. 3400 rpm seems like the 'sweet spot', and gets us around 22/23 knots and best fuel consumption. You may get better, as we carry so much crap aboard, it's unreal...
 
<span style="color:blue">
I know of a great one for sale... absolutely loaded with goodies, gennie, forward looking echo sounder, everything. It has nothing to do with me, I just know the boat. Its on with Val Wyatt. </span>
 
Bought one with twin KAMD 300s in 2002. Has suited us really well ; has handled plenty of rough stuff admirably (ride really soft with bow trimmed down); feels safe; and low speed handling in confined spaces really brings a smile to the face with bow thruster. Its just sooo easy. I get about 1.1mpg but thats cruising at 25knts (3600rpm). Best was 1.3mpg going at 22/23 knts.

Negatives: difficult to think of any. The chocks work ok without a crane if you have an airdeck and small o/b (say 5hp t/s). If you spend time at anchor, the hull does not extend under the bathing platform so waves from stern can be annoying as they thud against the stern and are held under the platform; and in the same vein I regard the boat as a bit "swingy" - must be combination of height; small engines (ie lack of weight below) and deepish vee - means she rolls around a bit more than heavier boats at anchor/on a mooring.

I have shelved the hanging robes so that the storage suits us better. Its not bad, but whats under the mattresses is not that accessible.

Imho the build quality and components are as effective (if not quite as ostentatious) as similar boats from other UK manufactureres I have had and been on.

The flybridge is brilliantly sociable, table and canopy storage is smart and you can carry a tray of drinks and nibbles up the steps with no hassle as they are so safe/gentle. The separate shower room works well for us.

All in all, a really practical boat and I don't think you'd be disappointed.
 
there is a nice one in liverpool marina with a very good spec called "martyngale". just dropped price to £140K - might be worth calling shepherds 0151 707 6686, if nothing else might help the haggling process
 
Make sure the valve gear on the 44's and 300's are serviced properly otherwise expensive head damage can be had. Also some 37's had plastic fuel tanks. The one example I know of with plastic tanks suffered fuel leaks until they were changed to metal. MAy have been a one off but worth bearing in mind.

Otherwise I think they are fab boats and would certainly be on my shortlist if I was in the market with that kind of money.
 
Ah yes, I met an ex-Sealine guy the other weekend who mentioned the plastic tank thing. His advice was if they don't leak, no problem, but if they split, beat up Sealine to get them replaced FOC, as it was a known issue and should have been done.
 
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