sealine 255 - new to forums

[boatman1]

Hi all, first of all hello, I’m new to the forums.

I have been boating on and off for since i was 9, always wanted my own boat, so going to take the leap (I’m 19 now). I'm looking at buying a boat in the UK, around poole/bournemouth, just wondering if anyone has any advice, or views on the sealine 255 senator range (88/89).

I have found one of these for sell at around 18,000 with twin 170hp petrol engines, thinking of making an offer for a bit less than that.

Q .Are dual petrol engines an overall advantage, could you run on one engine to cut costs, assuming props were secured?.

Q .Would this offer increased stability, and/or ability to cross the channel, ect, compared to the 218/215 ranges? (which are 22ft, this is around 27ft).

And last but not least, should i worry too much about the engine hours/age? this boat has had legs serviced, new alternator, cambelts, pumps, manifolds, are two volvo penta 171's from 1988 too old? , should that be a concern with this boat?

Can the engine parts just be replaced if the engine packs up, or would the e need to be completely replaced (in most cases?). - also can boats this size safly cross the channel to france, jersey ect, asuming decent conditions, good skipper.

Thanks for any replys, and sorry for such a long starting post /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and just to add, below is a picture of this model. sealine 255 picture

 

[garethuk]

I cant answer your questions however running 2x 171's on petrol. Ouch!

My local harbour petrol is 1.03 per litre (diesel is much much cheaper) and even on my old single AQ151c volvo it was costly!

just my 2 cent there /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Chris_d]

Hi there, Sealine 255 is a good little boat certainly capable of xchannel. However if your tight on budget and worried about running costs already, then I would suggest a smaller 215/8 with single engine would be a better bet. Not much difference in size and accomodation but cheaper to buy and run.
Twin petrols are VVV expensive to run, and will seriously restict your usage if your on a budget. You can run on one engine at displacement speeds (it won't plane) to reduce costs but it will only be possible on the engine that powers the steering, so you can't alternate to even out the usage.
Also Volvo 171's are notoriously temperamental, the simpler 151's are better for a no hassle twin setup.

 

[tico]

171's are 2.4L twin cam 16v beasts that are fine when all perfect but a heap of junk when they go out of tune (easily with 1988 ones) Need lots of loving care re cam belts.
Have a tendency to drip sea water from strainer joint onto crank pulley from whence its sprayed over cam pulleys and much else.
Once cam pulleys rust then they eat cam belts leading either to a fiddly job to replace or a big bang when they hit the pistons.

Otherwise probably about 10-12 galls /hr at cruising up to 18 galls/hr flat out.

at £4/gall .... ouch!!! thats why I went to diesel

If you DO go ahead, PM me .... i've got a manual that's no longer required.

 

[boatman1]

Thanks all.

I plan to buy very soon, so your replies will most likely directly affect the one i go for. (not having much experience with these size cruisers.) This will be my first full boat so i really appreciate your replies.


At the moment my options are, sealine 255 (17k). sealine 215/218, around 12-15k (is the 215 any different to the 218)?.And last the bayliner 2455 models, (something like this for 9,000: 2455 or one of those larger flybridge models with petrol.

Theres is a diesel hanging around ebay at the moment, but the layout/heads, ect put me off a bit Ebay diesel bayliner

Keeping in mind my budgets 18k max, what do you peeps think would be my best option?, what would you go for. (can the 2455's/218/215 cross the channel, are they as stable as the 255's?.)

or anyone have any experience with these, petrol flybridge bayliner pic

Thanks again. very keen to buy, scared this nice weather will slip away. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Solitaire]

Have you considered a Fairline Sprint? Better build than any you have mentioned - great seakeeping qualities and loads of room for it's size. Look for one with the AQ 211 V8 block. I am biased mind you - I've had mine since 1999 - been thru 2 petrol engines and now run on diesel. Cross channel, most certainly. Given the right weather window I'd much prefer to go in a Sprint than the others. A Bayliner would break up anyway. I know, mine did. Well shook the inside apart, and that was only in the Solent /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[boatman1]

Thanks,

I have looked at a few sprints and will keep them in mind, but the external look doesnt appeal to me as much as the sealines, although both look good for the size, just different. is the build quality really better on the sprints?.

so many boats, well confused now)

 

[tcm]

for the trips you fancy, a diesel is most definitely DEFINITELY the way to go. In fact, i'd almost sugest (is this allowed?) a sailing boat. Because it sounds as if you are already considering going slowr to save fuel - once you have got to that stage, the sailing boat wins in lots of ways, esp around uk where plenty of wind is free of charge, and esp if you are ninteen so unlikely to have demanding swmbo who doesn't like things leaning over.

With petrols you need to be rich AND you need to be ok lugging fuel cans - petrol at pumps in martinas is not universal by any means.

hiya anyway

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks,

is the build quality really better on the sprints?.



[/ QUOTE ]

I'll let others comment on that one! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Ugly? Never!!!!!

But, as I said, I'm biased /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[boatman1]

Thanks,

edit: sprint looks nice /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Problem with diesels for me are having to buy a much smaller/worse boat to get the diesel, and the only diesels i have found seem to be from back in 1985, which no doubt would offer problems?.

anyone have any views on that bayliner on ebay: bayliner diesel

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]

anyone have any views on that bayliner on ebay: bayliner diesel

[/ QUOTE ]

It's a 1980 boat. bayliner build qualiity back then was poor. Plus if you take it outside the Solent in any kind of sea you'll want to come right on home again!! Plus a top speed of 21 knots - you will wallow all over the place. Nah, don't think so /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[boatman1]

Got to be petrol then, no diesels around in my budget - i guess on a single engine model like the 218 it wouldnt be so harsh to run cost wise.

I suppose if they scrap road tax on petrol which they might for pay per mile, owning a petrol will be cheap. Got an image in my mind of any bayliner falling apart on the sea now

EDIT: someone said about the 171's being bad, would this be the same for a single engine model in a 218?.

Seems all the boats i have my eyes on have the wrong engines

 

[boatman1]

Planning to buy one this weekend, which is why so many questions, sorry.

the sealines 215 with 150-170hp engines seems to have a max speed of 20-25 knots. - does the sprint go much faster?.

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]
Planning to buy one this weekend,

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't be in too much of a rush. There will be plenty of boats around, look at as many as you can. You can buy in haste and repent very much at your leisure, and your wallet. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Buying your first boat is always a period of great excitement, but I and many on here will tell you of the disasters that can await you. Take someone along who knows something about boats, take along someone who knows about engines as well. Don't be fooled into those who say, "It's got low engine hours for it's year" I'd walk away at that one! I'd be happier buying a boat with hours on it than not. Boats reside in a hostile environment, they corrode inside and and rust away! Check the exhaust risers, these have small water channels that cool the exhaust gasses, if they get blocked or are rusted up they blow holes in funny places. Petrol engines have a lot of electrics that go wrong and that plays havoc with your boating time as well. There are a myriad of other things to look out for, so don't be in a hurry to buy the first boat you see. I'm not trying to put you off, but most of us on here have been there done that and got several T shirts. Particularly those of us who don't have the cash to buy new. But even that's no guarantee these days either. Oh, and have the boat surveyed, it will save you dosh in the long term . Good luck, and welcome to the addictive world of boats /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[boatman1]

Thanks, i have been boating on and off for years but never got my own crusier, really keen not to miss this weather, but i'll make sure anything i buy is fully checked and do my best not to rush in (although its hard!)
thanks for all the help/advice. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[boatman1]

oh, one last question, (i promise!)

I have found what seems like a perfect deal for me, a sealine 215 with tender, loaded with gear, survey for last year, 12,500 ono, only thing is it comes with a 171 volvo, is this something to be concerned about on a single engined boat?.

Could this boat cross the channel, is it ok in the sea?.

Thanks.

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]
Could this boat cross the channel, is it ok in the sea?.



[/ QUOTE ]

It could, but your insurance company may not allow it! You certainly should not consider doing it alone. Mind you, if are going say from Dover across the short bit it might be OK, but the weather will be a major factor. Your own experience will also play a big part. Some people with boats twice the size you are thinking of won't X the channel.

 

[boatman1]

Cheers mate, i doubt i would acutally cross without a group of some kind.

 

[boatman1]

Sorry to ask more questions,

I have found a 255, with new twin mercruisers fitted in 1999, 135 hp each.

This is a little over my budget (£20,500) but would this make it cheaper/less hassle to run, compared to the vovo 290's AQ 171?.

also the 215 i'm looking at has a lot of paint missing from the bottom of the boat, so the blue coat shows up as white in places, with some scratches, ect, is that something to worry about? assuming its not deep.

Thanks a lot, just trying to pick a boat to view /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

 

[Its_Only_Money]

[ QUOTE ]
the sealines 215 with 150-170hp engines seems to have a max speed of 20-25 knots. - does the sprint go much faster?.

[/ QUOTE ]

Most Sprints were fitted with the AQ205/431 engine, a V6 of 205Hp so will achieve 30-33kts top speed with comfortable cruise around 25kts. One overriding rule of boats is that you won't want/be able to cruise at top speed, it will be both V expensive in fuel burn and V bad for the engine(s).

In the example you quote I'd guess the 215 has a top speed of 25kts with a 150/170, this will mean comfortable cruise is probably around 20-22kts - which may mean only just properly planing, this might be hard work as in a seaway you'll always be on the verge of being pushed back off the plane....anyone with a 215/150 combo like to comment on that aspect???

Sprints are great, but then again I have one!