Lookong for a 1st boat and could use

[Neil22]

I've been looking for a first boat for some time and would appreciate your thoughts on a few I'm considering - and anythimg I haven't thought of.
I'm planning to be Solent-based with coastal usage.
My budget is around the £30K mark and the 3 boats I'm looking at are early 1990s so all about 30 years old.

I had a good look around a Sealine S240 with a single AD31. Seems well maintained and with a recent engine out for overhaul, new bellows etc, it ticks most of the boxes.
Except - I'm over 6ft so headroom below is a an issue. I've seen comments on this forum about "things you think you can put up with - but you won't" and I suspect that's true.

The other 2 I'm looking at are Fairline Targa 27s. I haven't seen these 'in person' yet.

One is on the south coast so will have been used on the sea. She has twin D3s (190 hp) these were fitted in 2007 (I assume as re-engine-ing).
I've noticed that several people have a low opinion of D3s.

The other one has twin AD31s (2x130hp) and sounds like she's spent her life on the Broards so these 30 year old engines might never have been run hard so could be trouble.

Grateful for any observations.

 

[stelican]

Targa 27 is a well made boat with tha advantage of being from the Fairline boatyard.
D3 problems related to turbo problems which can be rectified better choice than the now aged AQAD31.
Wet boat in a moderate sea.

 

[Greg2]

I wouldn’t write the AD31 off - if properly maintained a solid and uncomplicated motor whereas the D3 brings common rail, electrickery and overall higher maintenance costs as they get older. Personal choice but mine would be for the simplicity of older diesels every time. But then we do have a pair of agricultural Perkins ?

 

[QBhoy]

I’d personally avoid the s240 with the AD31. Especially if it’s anything over 20k. Good boats and good engine…but not suited to each other. Wee bit underpowered and you can forget having a conversation in the cockpit, when on plane.

 

[Scubadoo]

In contrary to QBhoy view, I currently own a S24 with a AD31 and I have done so for many years, simply because it is a great boat and performer. I find the AD31 engine with this boat a good match providing you understand the performance parameters of this set-up...mine is a heavy boat with cruising gear etc and with full tanks (water & fuel) will get onto the plane without any problems (or fussing about with trim tabs), it takes a little longer than say KAD32 but once the turbo kicks in it is away. Mine will happy cruise all day at 19/20knots and at the start of the season reaching just above 28 knots which reduces to about 25knots end of season (no different to many other boats due to fouling), and return on average 5mpg. The key thing is to ensure the AD31 is well maintained e.g. check the turbo as anything over say 10+ years on coastal waters will suffer from corrosion, hence losing power which will affect the S24 performance, irrespective how freely the fans blades spin, has the S24 you looked at had the turbo refurbished or replaced recently? If not, not a deal breaker just allow for the cost (£700ish-refurb to £2k-new?). As for the noise/conversation on the plane, all I can say we do have conversations with friends etc without a problem...but do note the earlier S240/S24 may not have the noise insulation on the engine hatch and mine also has carpet, so if the cockpit is bare grp and no insulation it might make a difference to noise level. As for headroom, when I looked at many 25ft sport cruisers before buying the S24, I found headroom and general layout had the edge. The value of the S24 with a AD31 was in the lower £20k mark a few years ago, but now like with most used boats has gone up in value, I noticed recently from £25k to £35k. I hope that helps, if you would like more info on the S240/S24 (also known as S230), just ask.

Oh and forgot to say, in my opinion, if I was looking for a replacement boat, I would rather stick to AD / KAD engines and not D3, simply because there is less to go wrong particularly with sensors in a marine environment, but the modern D3 will be more efficient and smoother.

Edit: Mine is the AD31 - 150hp in reference to Stelican's post.

 

[stelican]

In contrary to QBhoy view, I currently own a S24 with a AD31 and I have done so for many years, simply because it is a great boat and performer. I find the AD31 engine with this boat a good match providing you understand the performance parameters of this set-up...mine is a heavy boat with cruising gear etc and with full tanks (water & fuel) will get onto the plane without any problems (or fussing about with trim tabs), it takes a little longer than say KAD32 but once the turbo kicks in it is away. Mine will happy cruise all day at 19/20knots and at the start of the season reaching just above 28 knots which reduces to about 25knots end of season (no different to many other boats due to fouling), and return on average 5mpg. The key thing is to ensure the AD31 is well maintained e.g. check the turbo as anything over say 10+ years on coastal waters will suffer from corrosion, hence losing power which will affect the S24 performance, irrespective how freely the fans blades spin, has the S24 you looked at had the turbo refurbished or replaced recently? If not, not a deal breaker just allow for the cost (£700ish-refurb to £2k-new?). As for the noise/conversation on the plane, all I can say we do have conversations with friends etc without a problem...but do note the earlier S240/S24 may not have the noise insulation on the engine hatch and mine also has carpet, so if the cockpit is bare grp and no insulation it might make a difference to noise level. As for headroom, when I looked at many 25ft sport cruisers before buying the S24, I found headroom and general layout had the edge. The value of the S24 with a AD31 was in the lower £20k mark a few years ago, but now like with most used boats has gone up in value, I noticed recently from £25k to £35k. I hope that helps, if you would like more info on the S240/S24 (also known as S230), just ask.

Oh and forgot to say, in my opinion, if was I was looking for a replacement boat, I would rather stick to AD / KAD engines and not D3, simply because there is less to go wrong particularly with sensors in a marine environment, but the modern D3 will be more efficient and smoother.

Just to add 2 versions of the 31 engine 130 or 150 hp and D3 is a quieter engine.

 

[QBhoy]

In contrary to QBhoy view, I currently own a S24 with a AD31 and I have done so for many years, simply because it is a great boat and performer. I find the AD31 engine with this boat a good match providing you understand the performance parameters of this set-up...mine is a heavy boat with cruising gear etc and with full tanks (water & fuel) will get onto the plane without any problems (or fussing about with trim tabs), it takes a little longer than say KAD32 but once the turbo kicks in it is away. Mine will happy cruise all day at 19/20knots and at the start of the season reaching just above 28 knots which reduces to about 25knots end of season (no different to many other boats due to fouling), and return on average 5mpg. The key thing is to ensure the AD31 is well maintained e.g. check the turbo as anything over say 10+ years on coastal waters will suffer from corrosion, hence losing power which will affect the S24 performance, irrespective how freely the fans blades spin, has the S24 you looked at had the turbo refurbished or replaced recently? If not, not a deal breaker just allow for the cost (£700ish-refurb to £2k-new?). As for the noise/conversation on the plane, all I can say we do have conversations with friends etc without a problem...but do note the earlier S240/S24 may not have the noise insulation on the engine hatch and mine also has carpet, so if the cockpit is bare grp and no insulation it might make a difference to noise level. As for headroom, when I looked at many 25ft sport cruisers before buying the S24, I found headroom and general layout had the edge. The value of the S24 with a AD31 was in the lower £20k mark a few years ago, but now like with most used boats has gone up in value, I noticed recently from £25k to £35k. I hope that helps, if you would like more info on the S240/S24 (also known as S230), just ask.

Oh and forgot to say, in my opinion, if I was looking for a replacement boat, I would rather stick to AD / KAD engines and not D3, simply because there is less to go wrong particularly with sensors in a marine environment, but the modern D3 will be more efficient and smoother.

Edit: Mine is the AD31 - 150hp in reference to Stelican's post.

That’s a fair comment about the engine hatch insulation there. I’d also say that the last time I was on that boat…we had the full hood up. Was uncomfortably noisy on plane like that. Was around 3/4 throttle or more to keep her happily on plane without the tabs too. On the upside, she was incredible on fuel and very simple to maintain. Got the feeling it would just keep on going forever too. My experience around that boat and that engine, was likely made worse by also frequently going out on an s24 with a 4.3 Petrol. Much more refined and powerful experience in comparison. No doubt used more fuel though. Just my thoughts on it all. Hope you don’t mind.

 

[Neil22]

Thanks for all the comments/advice. I'm still in two minds, but as I aim to spend more than just short day out trips on board then the lack of headroom will prove too problematic.

 

[Elessar]

Just to add 2 versions of the 31 engine 130 or 150 hp and D3 is a quieter engine.

Engine bay insulation makes way more difference than the actual engine to noise levels and is practical to retrofit (though time consuming to do properly)

 

[Elessar]

Thanks for all the comments/advice. I'm still in two minds, but as I aim to spend more than just short day out trips on board then the lack of headroom will prove too problematic.

Although it’s a lot of money it’s still a relatively cheap boat - if your running budget matches your purchase budget there is only one choice - the Sealine.

Cheaper to moor. Half the price to service, maybe better than half price as two engines in a 27ft boat are a nightmare to access. Half as much to go wrong. Better fuel economy (less drag in the water the biggest factor).

If you are new to boating the cost of ownership is going to shock you. Brace yourself!

I’d go for the single engine boat without question.

And I did channel crossings in my 28 ft single engined boat, most breakdowns are fuel which will get both engines. And the single engine will be easier to maintain and fix on the go. The elevated breakdown risk is minimal.

 

[Neil22]

Thanks Elessar - good points. I've decided to go with the Sealine - pending survey and sea trial.

 

[chillee]

I'd recommend if you go for the AD31 setup to look for the 150HP version and not the older 130. If you want to take friends and family out the 130 might struggle a bit. If you can find a KAD32 variant even better.
Have a look also at the Maxum 2400 SCR as well. Not sure if there are diesel variants, but I recall when I looked at these the cabin was spacious and airy, and I am sure it had really good headroom.

 

[Offshore57]

I wouldnt rule out petrol engine(s), we had a 92 Sea Ray 270 Sundancer that had twin V6 petrols and we cruised the solent for 7 years with her. Bought for 20K. Yes we had the sterndrive maintenance and anodes to consider with mercruisers but sold for what we paid to help finance our Princess to live on. The gap between 20 and 30K is a lot of fuel and therefore running hours. Plenty of places to get petrol in and around the Solent and no turbos to worry about.
Just a thought.

 

[DavidJ]

Another thumbs up for the Sealine S24 with a 4.3 petrol. Had one for 8 years. We towed ours to Spain a couple of times and was easy once you get out of the UK roads. We always had it craned in for ease and to protect the trailer.

 

[Elessar]

Any news OP?

For budget solent berthing if you want dry stack dryberthing.com or for staying afloat go above the bursledon bridge in the Hamble.

 

[Neil22]

Any news OP?

For budget solent berthing if you want dry stack dryberthing.com or for staying afloat go above the bursledon bridge in the Hamble.

Setting up a survey and engine&outdrive checkout at the moment.
Thanks for the berthing suggestions.

 

[Offshore57]

Best of luck...Exciting time for you....

 

[DavidJ]

Just sharing my experience and maybe it’s the same for others but not every day is a great day on the boat. Sometimes it will all go wrong and be unpleasant and you may think “what have I done?” but then the next time will be one of the greatest days of your life…..boating is a bit like that….for me anyway.

 

[Neil22]

Well I've finally done it. Bought a Sealine 240. Next week (weather permitting but looking good for Tues) hoping to move her from Southsea (actually the Eastney Cruising Assoc.) to Gosport Marina. Anyone else at Gosport Premier I can say hello to?

 

[paradave]

Congrats!
Just down the water in Trafalgar dry stack. I’ll look out for you around the entrance to the harbour ?