Recommendations for first family motorboat please

[SouthWales]

I had not heard of the SC29 before - a terrific proposition. It reminds me of the Marex 310 in terms of layout, fabric roof top, etc... for a quarter of the price.
2007 Sealine SC29, Conwy Conwy - boats.com

Is there a guide or more general pointers of some sort on what to look for to avoid making expensive mistakes? What parts are most likely to fail?

The SC 29 is worth a thread for itself I am thinking...

 

[CLB]

I had not heard of the SC29 before - a terrific proposition. It reminds me of the Marex 310 in terms of layout, fabric roof top, etc... for a quarter of the price.
2007 Sealine SC29, Conwy Conwy - boats.com

Is there a guide or more general pointers of some sort on what to look for to avoid making expensive mistakes? What parts are most likely to fail?

The SC 29 is worth a thread for itself I am thinking...

I am a Sealine fan, but the one thing that would put me off an SC29 is the D3s that you will likely find in the engine bay. These early ones were temperamental, to say the least.

I would honestly rather have a late S28 with KAD32s and bank the difference. The canopies are no big deal. You can leave em all up when cruising and its like being in a wheelhouse. Unlike a wheelhouse, you can take em down on those very rare hot days.

Edit, just looked at the one posted. Yep. Early D3s. It also reminded me that it was not one of Sealine's prettiest boats either. But thats in the eye of the beer holder I guess.

 

[CLB]

You could have this: Sealine S28 Used Boat for Sale 2004 | TheYachtMarket plus £25K in the bank over the SC29. (well not exactly this one as its in Spain and that a problem now, but you get the idea). IMHO its a prettier boat, with a better layout and feels more spacious down below. It also has one of Volvo's most reliable engines.

 

[Farmer Piles]

Noted - whilst in my head I’d like to think a fair bit of boating will be economical pottering around (displacement speeds), being able to open the throttle more when time, tide and weather are threatening to start running against and pick up the speed is a must (otherwise I’d stick with sailing).

We’re in Devoran so Mylor is the local Marina

I'm with you on that, I want 18-20kts top end and able to cruise at 15-16 when I choose.
I may have said that we are in the market for something along the lines of what you are looking at. Before Christmas we went up to Chichester for a couple of days and looked at the twin engined 310 Nimbus up there - Harrier. Cracking boat, well maintained and equipped but scruffy inside and the diagonal bed was only 2 inches wider than a standard 3'6" single bed - plus one of you would have to climb over the other to get out if you need a pee in the night. It was already at the top of our budget and we figured that by the time we sorted the interior and bed, plus the other costs of buying a boat it would be very top end for us. Plus with all the Covid problems we could be stuck down here with it up there, unable to use it and paying Chichester berth prices.
There was also a 2002 Saga 29 there too. Nice boat in great condition, 230hp Yanmar but very dated interior. It would do what we wanted very well but didn't feel the love.

Re home patch: our home farm overlooks Mylor Harbour but we also have the land at Carclew that faces Devoran. Small world.

 

[Bowlerhat]

The Sealines are brilliant boats. Spent many a day at sea in the SC29, with friends who owned one for a couple of years. Really well made, safe in a big sea and they look awesome. The only reason they sold was because they had children and wanted a different configuration. The kids slept in the mid cabin and, unless the for’d cabin was going to be left as a bedroom during the day (something they didn’t like), the bed for them had to be made up each night. Some may think this not to be a hassle - but they did (we’re all different etc etc). They bought a Jeanneau Prestige 36 in its place.

 

[QBhoy]

I had not heard of the SC29 before - a terrific proposition. It reminds me of the Marex 310 in terms of layout, fabric roof top, etc... for a quarter of the price.
2007 Sealine SC29, Conwy Conwy - boats.com

Is there a guide or more general pointers of some sort on what to look for to avoid making expensive mistakes? What parts are most likely to fail?

The SC 29 is worth a thread for itself I am thinking...

An amazing boat.
should never be compared to a s28. Lovely as they are...this is a different league of nice. The cockpit is just simply sublime. Very wide boat too. Feels much much bigger. As for the D3’s. It’s a bloody Volvo XC90 5 cylinder engine. These things aren’t out they’re youth until over 200,000 miles or more, in the road. Now that doesn’t always mean good for a boat...but the engine is a great thing. Timing belts changed are the only down side to check for. Never been a fan of a belt on a marine engine...but in these...it’s the easiest to change you’ll get really. I’d much much rather have the silky smooth and lovely sounding, straight 5 cylinder and powerful D3’s, than a screaming and archaic Kad32 4 cylinder. Great as they are...just they ain’t nice to listen too.
These will potter along frugally at 8 knots...or blast along at nearly 40 knots full throttle. Certainly seen 43 mph gps from the one I know. Wonderful stepped hull on these. So efficient it’s not real.

 

[CLB]

An amazing boat.
should never be compared to a s28. Lovely as they are...this is a different league of nice. The cockpit is just simply sublime. Very wide boat too. Feels much much bigger. As for the D3’s. It’s a bloody Volvo XC90 5 cylinder engine. These things aren’t out they’re youth until over 200,000 miles or more, in the road. Now that doesn’t always mean good for a boat...but the engine is a great thing. Timing belts changed are the only down side to check for. Never been a fan of a belt on a marine engine...but in these...it’s the easiest to change you’ll get really. I’d much much rather have the silky smooth and lovely sounding, straight 5 cylinder and powerful D3’s, than a screaming and archaic Kad32 4 cylinder. Great as they are...just they ain’t nice to listen too.
These will potter along frugally at 8 knots...or blast along at nearly 40 knots full throttle. Certainly seen 43 mph gps from the one I know. Wonderful stepped hull on these. So efficient it’s not real.

We beg to differ, although I am speaking from personal experience. The D3 problems are not related to the engine wearing out.

 

[QBhoy]

We beg to differ, although I am speaking from personal experience. The D3 problems are not related to the engine wearing out.

Was it sensor and limp mode issues ? Have heard that about them. But well documented these days and easily dealt with.

 

[Halsey]

Was it sensor and limp mode issues ? Have heard that about them. But well documented these days and easily dealt with.

That was an issue that put me off buying one (even though I like them) also apparently in use there is some aggro with dirt/flies getting trapped in the fabric sandwich of the "sunroof" needing annual removal and cleaning.

 

[Halsey]

I had not heard of the SC29 before - a terrific proposition. It reminds me of the Marex 310 in terms of layout, fabric roof top, etc... for a quarter of the price.
2007 Sealine SC29, Conwy Conwy - boats.com

Is there a guide or more general pointers of some sort on what to look for to avoid making expensive mistakes? What parts are most likely to fail?

The SC 29 is worth a thread for itself I am thinking...

I have seen the Conwy boat in detail (in Sept) and its tired with niggling leaks and it has been on sale for a long time and the owner at that time wouldn't budge on price.
There is/was one in Dublin with MGM which I had agreed to progress at 70k euros but by that time I had fallen for the Aquador
I did recently know of an apparently VG one in N Ireland with no heating and top money - pm me if interested and I'll try to find the contact info or it might be on the NI Duck

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Hi all,
I used to be a sailor, we started a family, the yacht went... and now we are thinking about a motorboat instead.

We are in Cornwall and live Near the water, so sea keeping and ability to deal with weather is important. I have zero experience of motorboats but canopy over the top arrangements put me right off - not likely to be so nice for an October spin! I’d also like to be able to do Scilly... Why aren’t more motorboats hard top?

we’d ideally like separate cabin arrangements, so that little ones can go to sleep earlier and we can kip down somewhere later without disturbing.

Flexible on budget as long as it doesn’t hit six figures, but would rather keep costs and running costs down. It’s likely to get a fair bit of use so fuel economy (once you’ve stopped laughing remember I said sailor at the start) might be important. The other bit is given Scilly or even Channel Islands might be on the cards, should I be thinking twin engines for safety...

Any boat suggestions really appreciated!!

cheers
Trev

Friend of mine and forumite @Elessar aka Mark is selling his Sealine F390. Under 12m, astonishing amount of room for the size. I've let him know I've tagged him in this.

 

[QBhoy]

I have seen the Conwy boat in detail (in Sept) and its tired with niggling leaks and it has been on sale for a long time and the owner at that time wouldn't budge on price.
There is/was one in Dublin with MGM which I had agreed to progress at 70k euros but by that time I had fallen for the Aquador
I did recently know of an apparently VG one in N Ireland with no heating and top money - pm me if interested and I'll try to find the contact info or it might be on the NI Duck

I think that one in Ni May now be here on Loch Lomond. If it’s not. The same guy went to look at it and decided on another instead, for some reason. Can’t quite remember the story.

 

[QBhoy]

That was an issue that put me off buying one (even though I like them) also apparently in use there is some aggro with dirt/flies getting trapped in the fabric sandwich of the "sunroof" needing annual removal and cleaning.

The one I’m familiar with, the owner replaced the roof, surprisingly cheaply too. The drainage gutter needs kept free.
The thing that struck me about them is that they were around the 60-70k mark about 5 years ago. Now they are 70-80k. The S29 more common open model, slightly cheaper usually.
Also can’t help but mention the performance these things have for only having 380hp between 2 D3 190’s. Literally staggering turn of pace. Genuine early to mid 40 mph boat in any form. Such a great hull.

 

[Trevelyan]

An amazing boat.
should never be compared to a s28. Lovely as they are...this is a different league of nice. The cockpit is just simply sublime. Very wide boat too. Feels much much bigger. ...

These will potter along frugally at 8 knots...or blast along at nearly 40 knots full throttle. Certainly seen 43 mph gps from the one I know. Wonderful stepped hull on these. So efficient it’s not real.

Got to admit from the pics these look very appealing....

I have seen the Conwy boat in detail (in Sept) and its tired with niggling leaks and it has been on sale for a long time and the owner at that time wouldn't budge on price.
There is/was one in Dublin with MGM which I had agreed to progress at 70k euros but by that time I had fallen for the Aquador
I did recently know of an apparently VG one in N Ireland with no heating and top money - pm me if interested and I'll try to find the contact info or it might be on the NI Duck

I think ditto on the boat choices, the Sealine SC29 and Aquador 32C I think are near top of my list (of course web browsing only, yet to go see). The Aquador does have the major plus of two separate cabins (rather than the table conversion down below) which I think might work better for putting children to bed in the evening and staying up later etc! What swung it for you for the Aquador (was it a 32C?) over the Sealine?

We beg to differ, although I am speaking from personal experience. The D3 problems are not related to the engine wearing out.

So without wanting to accidentally hijack my own thread, what are the common issues with the D3? Does the Sealine SC29 only come with D3's?

 

[Trevelyan]

Friend of mine and forumite @Elessar aka Mark is selling his Sealine F390. Under 12m, astonishing amount of room for the size. I've let him know I've tagged him in this.

Looks amazing.... unfortunately also amazingly over budget I suspect!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Looks amazing.... unfortunately also amazingly over budget I suspect!

Nope. Well within. He’s going to PM you. You might be very surprised. In a good way ?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Incidentally @Trevelyan you might be encouraged to know that we're ex-sailors too, and my wife was converted (if that's the right word) to our plan to go motor boating by a day out with Mark on that very boat. She drove Evenstar back from Yarmouth and parked very neatly in a berth at Port Hamble only 2' wider than the boat. With an audience.

 

[Halsey]

I think ditto on the boat choices, the Sealine SC29 and Aquador 32C I think are near top of my list (of course web browsing only, yet to go see). The Aquador does have the major plus of two separate cabins (rather than the table conversion down below) which I think might work better for putting children to bed in the evening and staying up later etc! What swung it for you for the Aquador (was it a 32C?) over the Sealine?


The 32C midships cabin is much bigger esp the standing area, the lack of having to make a bed in the front cabin, the more enclosed but VERY airy saloon with side doors, the single shaft drive rather than twin sterndrives mainly due to cost issues, and the Aquador we bought was £10k cheaper - also we have dogs and the bathing platform is much easier for them (and us) to get on to from the side finally the wrap around decks are much safer!

They are very different but we found it a logical choice in the end - you do need to see both in the flesh - the side doors, decks and bigger cabin were probably the main deciders I could have happily accepted either engine scenario

 

[SouthWales]

Have you looked at the Marex range at all? They look terrific (in pictures). None around me unfortunately.

P.s. you and I are in the same position looking for a very similar boat it seems.

 

[Greg2]

If the Sealine SC29 and S28 are of interest then I would recommend looking at the S34. A much better proposition in terms of accommodation and simply a great all round boat. We had one as a stop gap between our Broom and our Hardy and we were very impressed with it. Only the later ones have the Volvo D series engines and the most common was the four cylinder KAD32 at 170hp each. Lots of talk on here and elsewhere about these engines being a bit under powered for the boat but they aren’t in my view and the space in the engine bay compared to larger six cylinder engines is a big bonus. I think MBM summed it up nicely when they described the S34 with these engines as being more ‘cruiser’ than ‘sport’. Circa 27 knots flat out and cruise at 20-22 knots is fine IMHO and way faster than our current 12 knots!

Other engine options were Volvo AD41 (200hp) and KAD43 (230hp) - not sure if any had the KAD44 (260hp). One or two had Mercruiser but not generally the engine of choice, although asking price for these is usually lower.

Not many on the market at the moment - this was ours to give an idea

Negative comments on the D3 have been doing the rounds for years and I would be cautious of buying a boat with them. My choice is always older diesels with no electronics - simpler to maintain and less to go wrong and the recent coverage questioning the long term availability of replacement ECUs gives further pause for thought.
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