Hardy

The Seawings range was an attempt by Hardy to produce a range of 'modern' motorboats. They were mildly successful but ultimately discontinued due to a fairly low volume of sales.

Thats not to say they are bad boats. The 355 in particular was probably ahead of its time, being offered only has an open backed hard top. Build quality is good, with a high standard of joinery in a fairly conventional 2 cabins plus saloon layout. There were a number of forward cabin options including V berths and an offset double.

Saloon has a large round table to starboard with curved seating for 4 (5 if very friendly) though some folding chairs would make 6 comfortable. The galley is to port and it slightly curved. All boats afaik came with the high gloss cherry wood work and a choice of carpers, either maroon, blue or cream.

All are twin engines on drives, with either Volvo KAD units or Mercruiser 6 cylinder diesel units. Mercruiser accounted for around 40% of boats which is unusually high.

Externally the standard hull was white topsides with blue or maroon as an option. Blue is most desirable, followed by white then the red.

Values on these are a bit subjective. I like them and looked quite hard at buying one a few years ago but seller simply arent realistic. Yes, they are well made, yes they are a comforatble boat but the hull is so/so and the fact they didnt sell in big numbers doesnt make them exclusive. Traditional Hardy owners didnt want them and traditional sports boat owners were/are more comfortable with the more recognised sports boat brands.

earliest 355 heralds from 1996 and the company offered them until 2001, though I think the last boat ordered was in 2000.

Value wise, for an early boat in ok condition I'd be looking to pay £50k-£55k dependant on spec and condition. Later 1999 boats up to £65k but that would have to be blue hull, cream carpets etc. old nav gear or tired cockpit seating/interior knock money off all those values.

If you want a 36ft hardtop and are budget limited they are not a bad buy if you get the price right. The ones asking anywhere north of £75k are kidding them selves and unless you really really want the small HT there are better boats for that kind of money redily available on the market - Sealine S37 to name but one.
 
Whitelighter said:
The Seawings range was an attempt by Hardy to produce a range of 'modern' motorboats. They were mildly successful but ultimately discontinued due to a fairly low volume of sales.

Thats not to say they are bad boats. The 355 in particular was probably ahead of its time, being offered only has an open backed hard top. Build quality is good, with a high standard of joinery in a fairly conventional 2 cabins plus saloon layout. There were a number of forward cabin options including V berths and an offset double.

Saloon has a large round table to starboard with curved seating for 4 (5 if very friendly) though some folding chairs would make 6 comfortable. The galley is to port and it slightly curved. All boats afaik came with the high gloss cherry wood work and a choice of carpers, either maroon, blue or cream.

All are twin engines on drives, with either Volvo KAD units or Mercruiser 6 cylinder diesel units. Mercruiser accounted for around 40% of boats which is unusually high.

Externally the standard hull was white topsides with blue or maroon as an option. Blue is most desirable, followed by white then the red.

Values on these are a bit subjective. I like them and looked quite hard at buying one a few years ago but seller simply arent realistic. Yes, they are well made, yes they are a comforatble boat but the hull is so/so and the fact they didnt sell in big numbers doesnt make them exclusive. Traditional Hardy owners didnt want them and traditional sports boat owners were/are more comfortable with the more recognised sports boat brands.

earliest 355 heralds from 1996 and the company offered them until 2001, though I think the last boat ordered was in 2000.

Value wise, for an early boat in ok condition I'd be looking to pay £50k-£55k dependant on spec and condition. Later 1999 boats up to £65k but that would have to be blue hull, cream carpets etc. old nav gear or tired cockpit seating/interior knock money off all those values.

If you want a 36ft hardtop and are budget limited they are not a bad buy if you get the price right. The ones asking anywhere north of £75k are kidding them selves and unless you really really want the small HT there are better boats for that kind of money redily available on the market - Sealine S37 to name but one.
Click to expand...

What a fantastic reply thank you for a good sound response
So if I had 50k it's a good boat ? What I am finding is like you have said people are asking 99 = 78k
97= 70k 96=65k
Lets hope people are realistic as this is one I would consider
Many thanks
Anyone else got tenpeneth two put in would be nice to see other opinions
 
Somewhere I have athe magazine review of the 355. If I can find it later tomorrow ill let you know and can send you a copy.

At 50k, yes I think it would be a good buy, though I also think you will be lucky to get someone to see sense at that money on a good late boat.

There is a 1996 boat for sale in Ireland asking just over £58k, but the broker is upfront in stateing it needs reconditioning. It might be worth looking at as the irish market is completely dead and a compltete refurm may just mean upholstery, carpets and a good polish which can be done for a few K and hours invested. Plus if they think its a hard sell because of conditon start in the mid 40k region and slowly work up in very small units if you have to.

the proviso for all of the above is only if the engines/drives are sound. If they have problems then its not really worth any money.
 
Whitelighter said:
Somewhere I have athe magazine review of the 355. If I can find it later tomorrow ill let you know and can send you a copy.

At 50k, yes I think it would be a good buy, though I also think you will be lucky to get someone to see sense at that money on a good late boat.

There is a 1996 boat for sale in Ireland asking just over £58k, but the broker is upfront in stateing it needs reconditioning. It might be worth looking at as the irish market is completely dead and a compltete refurm may just mean upholstery, carpets and a good polish which can be done for a few K and hours invested. Plus if they think its a hard sell because of conditon start in the mid 40k region and slowly work up in very small units if you have to.

the proviso for all of the above is only if the engines/drives are sound. If they have problems then its not really worth any money.
Click to expand...
Yes I spoke with him last week both engines are out and not running well the interest needs a fair bit of talc to bring it back to a good spec no nav equipment
So ran very very fast away from that one think £20 might get it back together but way out of my back pocket
I would be very interested in the article if you find it many thanks in advance
What are the views on either mercrouser or Penta engines
I have been lead to believe that mercrusers are better ?
 
Drewster said:
Hi all
Your verdicts on a hardy seawings 355 would be usefull
Good bad or indifferent
Thanks
Click to expand...
Two in Caernarfon for sale Drew
I know the model well and the two vessels
One was featured in MBM some years ago
The Owner was fastidious
He cruised all over the Irish Sea and down to Milford etc
I will be in touch by various methods over the next 24 hours Sir!
;)
 
Kawasaki said:
Two in Caernarfon for sale Drew
I know the model well and the two vessels
One was featured in MBM some years ago
The Owner was fastidious
He cruised all over the Irish Sea and down to Milford etc
I will be in touch by various methods over the next 24 hours Sir!
;)
Click to expand...

Oops, sorry folks but no matter, I thought Drewster was 'Drewtos' of this Parish a Gentleman I know rather well
I think I might have sent him a puzzle
Ref a PM just sent about a boat he aint wantin ter know about!!!!!
OOps
:o
It's an age thing folks, not alcihol this time
I is on me Pension now yer know
I NOW TYPE SLOWER TOO and in BIG LETTERS
:D
 
Kawasaki said:
Oops, sorry folks but no matter, I thought Drewster was 'Drewtos' of this Parish a Gentleman I know rather well
I think I might have sent him a puzzle
Ref a PM just sent about a boat he aint wantin ter know about!!!!!
OOps
:o
It's an age thing folks, not alcihol this time
I is on me Pension now yer know
I NOW TYPE SLOWER TOO and in BIG LETTERS
:D
Click to expand...


Hmmmm.
 
I owned the smaller Seawings 305 for five seasons selling Oct '11. The 355 was top of my list for the step up, but I gave up. The main problem for me was that the mid cabin is very tight for the size of boat - early ones only have a curtain from the saloon, and as Whitelighter said, there is limited choice and owners ask silly prices. Also be aware they are slow sellers unless very sensibly priced. In terms of construction, the interior finish is very good, hull very strongly built, but the behind the scenes finish was basic and the electrical installation on my 305 was somewhat primitive, and the 355s I looked at appeared similar in both respects. Having said that if I'd found a good one at a sensible price I would have bought. We covered 3,500nm in our 305 and she never let us down and looked after us in some pretty foul conditions. All boats were outdrive and the youngest will be 13 years so have your eyes wide open!
 
Got a sniff on two 355 one in Glasgow bit pricy at 77k but may well go and look but don't think I will be offering any wear near the asking price
The other is in Plymouth I have already ascertained the seller would look below 50k this sounds more like it
Fingers crossed
 
What's the name of the one in Scotland?

I looked at a couple up there and it it is one if those its been on the market for a while. Pm if you prefer.

One at 50k or less if its tidy and in good condition sounds like a good option mind. Haven't forgotten about the boat report - at home tomorrow so will dig it out.
 
Whitelighter said:
What's the name of the one in Scotland?

I looked at a couple up there and it it is one if those its been on the market for a while. Pm if you prefer.

One at 50k or less if its tidy and in good condition sounds like a good option mind. Haven't forgotten about the boat report - at home tomorrow so will dig it out.
Click to expand...
Papa joe

And many thanks
 
Last edited:
I have worked on these boats, one with mercs the other with volvos kad42 engines, they sit nice in the bay but both had suffered from serious corrosion for some reason, the mining covers on the Volvo needed replacing , the mercs needed the usuall transom shields and loose steering issues on the swivel pin, looking at the design it did make me wonder if there was some issues when underway that allowed sea water into the engine bay in a mist form, a bit like the sealine sc 35 did in the earlier production years.
 
volvopaul said:
I have worked on these boats, one with mercs the other with volvos kad42 engines, they sit nice in the bay but both had suffered from serious corrosion for some reason, the mining covers on the Volvo needed replacing , the mercs needed the usuall transom shields and loose steering issues on the swivel pin, looking at the design it did make me wonder if there was some issues when underway that allowed sea water into the engine bay in a mist form, a bit like the sealine sc 35 did in the earlier production years.
Click to expand...
Very interesting read sum thing to have a close look at thanks
 
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