Help with my purchase of a Sealine S28 or S29

[Markhammond]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my previous posts providing advice about the purchase of my first boat.

Whilst I still like the Dorals, I have now been tempted with the Sealines, and after having a look at the models I can afford (I'd love to go for a S34 but that is stretching my budget a bit too far) I am now looking to purchase a S28. I would welcome views about hours used, as my shortlist contains two boats that are at either end of the spectrum, one a 2004 with 130 hours and another a 2008 with 450. What would you go for? Both seem to have good/full service history so should I even be worried?

I have also noticed a couple of S29's and I wondered whether anyone had any views of the difference between the S28 and S29's? Are they worth considering?

Finally, from any Sealine owners out there, is there anything I should be looking out for on either models?

Thanks as always for any responses. They really are appreciated.

Mark.

 

[Jurgen]

Hi Mark, there are a few S28 owners here and am sure Ogaryo will be along to give you his thoughts.

Don't be overly concerned about the number of hours the engines have done, mine have nearly 1900 hrs each and don't miss a beat. The biggest concern would be regular servicing ideally with lots of receipts from the engineer or if seviced by the previous owner then receipts for the consumables and spares etc.

Depending on use either the S34 or S28 are good boats, the S34 offering greater living space for extended stays. Both will blat across the Chanel quite happily.

In terms of anything to look out for there is nothing specific to Sealines, the usual common sense stuff applies i.e overall condition, if you see a botched repair I would suggest that would be indicative of the previous owners attitude to the boat and walk away.

If buying through a broker or privately for that matter any deposit should be protected and your right to withdraw from the sale without penalty should any issue arise during the survey or sea trial which cannot be resolved.

Hope you find a good one and keep us all posted, piccys are always welcome lol.

Regards

Andy

 

[rafiki_]

The big difference between S28 and S29 is the hardtop on the 29. This was the first of their hardtop designs, and gives more protection from the weather to the cockpit. The 29 will be newer than the 28 in general, and therefor more expensive. As Jurgen says, 450 engine hours is nothing, assuming the engines have been properly maintained. 150 hours on a 10 year old boat could be problematical again if not properly maintained.
There will be several S28 owners along in a while I'm sure.

 

[Chris_d]

Wouldn't worry about the hours except on the lower one maybe, a boat that is regularly used is likely to be much more reliable than one that is only visited once a year or used as a floating holiday home. S28 is a great all round boat and with a decent survey you can't go far wrong.

 

[Whitelighter]

I'd go for the 08 S29.

S28s are lovely boats but the S29 is a real step up with nicer finishes and a great hull.

450 hours on a 6 year old boat us nothing. 130 hours on a ten year old boat would give me some serious concerns. Boats that sit rot.

 

[Whitelighter]

The big difference between S28 and S29 is the hardtop on the 29. This was the first of their hardtop designs, and gives more protection from the weather to the cockpit. The 29 will be newer than the 28 in general, and therefor more expensive. As Jurgen says, 450 engine hours is nothing, assuming the engines have been properly maintained. 150 hours on a 10 year old boat could be problematical again if not properly maintained.
There will be several S28 owners along in a while I'm sure.

S29 is open. SC29 had the hardtop.

 

[Jurgen]

S29 is open. SC29 had the hardtop.

Well spotted, I had also assumed that the OP meant SC29, one in our marina and styling is closer to current Sealine than the previous era.

 

[volvopaul]

Plenty of input re the sc29, a really nice boat in its class,, but no one has mentioned the dreaded D 3 engines .

If your spending sc29 money I'd buy the sc34, a miles better boat for your money, two proper separate cabins for a start where the other two only have the small rear cabin, the rest is an open plan boat. The sc34 would be even better with the AD41 engines at 200hp and a really smooth 6 cylinder engine. But nothing wrong with the kad32 engine either.

 

[volvopaul]

I would also join the sealine forum.

 

[Whitelighter]

Plenty of input re the sc29, a really nice boat in its class,, but no one has mentioned the dreaded D 3 engines .

If your spending sc29 money I'd buy the sc34, a miles better boat for your money, two proper separate cabins for a start where the other two only have the small rear cabin, the rest is an open plan boat. The sc34 would be even better with the AD41 engines at 200hp and a really smooth 6 cylinder engine. But nothing wrong with the kad32 engine either.

Yes if try to stretch to an S34 if I could but I guess it's older vs newer - I suppose budget wise it would be an early 2000's S34.

 

[oGaryo]

I also thought of the SC29 when looking for a boat and ended up with the S28, to be honest, the look of the SC29 put me off in the end as it appeared to be a design made for a larger boat, looks great on the SC35 but for me, the 29 just looks a little odd. sorry in advance to those who own the SC29's, it's a personal taste thing obviously.

S28, great boat and would recommend getting a 2002+ variant to benefit from the updated interior.

Got to service my push bike today and fit a set of slicks so not alot of time to give you some feedback on the S28 but will do so later in the week.

Happy boat hunting in the meantime

cheers Gary

 

[Whitelighter]

Sort of agree about the SC29 looks wise.

The S29 (note there were two different models) looks very nice as an open boat and much much more modern than the S28.

 

[Markhammond]

Thanks for this Jurgen - its reassuring to hear such a positive response.

 

[Markhammond]

Thanks Gary, I enjoyed you maiden voyage in your S28 immensely!! Though I haven't shared it with my wife - I want to keep her keen!

 

[Markhammond]

Thanks for the advice, I know what you mean about the S29 but it all depends on whether I can get a deal or not. If not a late S28 looks very much on the cards as I can't seem to be able to broker a deal on a S34.

Thanks again to everyone who responded to my thread by the way and apologies for not responding earlier - I was out doing my powerboat level 2 today - great fun!! I've got my second day out tomorrow on the thames in a rib, so whilst its bound to be very wet I'm sure it will be even more fun.

Picking up an earlier point, what is the concern with the D3 engine? I spoke to a dealer the other day and he said the main difference is you can tinker with the KAD32 where as with the D3 you are reliant on a Volvo dealer. Is this a fair view?

 

[rafiki_]

Thanks for the advice, I know what you mean about the S29 but it all depends on whether I can get a deal or not. If not a late S28 looks very much on the cards as I can't seem to be able to broker a deal on a S34.

Thanks again to everyone who responded to my thread by the way and apologies for not responding earlier - I was out doing my powerboat level 2 today - great fun!! I've got my second day out tomorrow on the thames in a rib, so whilst its bound to be very wet I'm sure it will be even more fun.

Picking up an earlier point, what is the concern with the D3 engine? I spoke to a dealer the other day and he said the main difference is you can tinker with the KAD32 where as with the D3 you are reliant on a Volvo dealer. Is this a fair view?

The D3 gets mixed press on here. Basically it is the D5 5cyl Volvo Car turbo diesel, therefore a light duty Diesel engine. It really needs looking after in a marine environment, as it works so much harder in a planing boat.

 

[Jurgen]

I was out doing my powerboat level 2 today - great fun!!

Great fun

Steer Then Gear lol

Hope you stay dry

 

[Markhammond]

Too true, that phrase is still ringing in my ears, that and the elements are your friends.

 

[[2068]]

S28 - KAD32 / DPE engines and drives are "old school", reliable, but not exactly cutting edge technology.

S29 - Similar interior layout, but an entirely new hull, fresher interior, forward facing radar arch. D3 / DPS didn't end up with a good reputation for reliability, but many owners have clocked up trouble free miles, and with 5 cylinders, they are smoother than a KAD32. By now, most that were used have been fixed/upgraded/replaced, just avoid buying a low hours D3 that has never worked properly.

SC29 - The advantage here is the roof, but it does look a bit challenging in the styling department when at rest. For a taller helmsman (e.g. me), make sure that you can see, and that the side strip doesn't restrict your visibility. D3 engines same as for S29.

 

[sunquest]

There's a very nice S28 in Chatham on the Boatshed Medway website. I know the owner and it has full service history.