sealine 330 ambasador

[sealiner]

I am looking to buy a sealine 330 ambasador with ad41 engines .
Can anybody help with what to look out for and their experience of the boat.
Can anybody recomend surveyor in the Poole area.

 

[enterprise]

Buying a used boat

Be sure to have a surveyor check her over, as with the above post regarding "bargain Sealine" there maybe a few defects to be found.
Try to do a small survey of your own, otherwise you will spend hundreds on surveys.

Common things to look for (Any boat in or out of the water) is structural weakness, the inside of the hull where the stringers and bulkheads meet the hull should have no detatchment of the tabs (small connecting fibreglass strips), no cracking of the flowcoat (surface dressing for the rough edges) and no crazing caused by hull flexing, look in the corners etc, this is where the pressure points are and will show defects first.

Make sure the tanks are sound, sealine used alu tanks and surface corrosion tends to over time eat through the base of the tank,check that the tank is not sitting in water or fuel (depending on which tank your looking at).

As best you can look for staining or water marks on the upholstery and around the portlights and hatches, cuts or abrasions on the cockpit seating etc.

Check the seacocks open and close, all equipment functions and the engine bay is spotless, these will be an indication of how well her current owner takes care of her.

View any available reciepts, service records and owner details, ask the vendor to bring some ID and check this with documentation (unless your viewing with a broker, then he should have done the paperwork crosschecks).

Im sure there are quite a few further checks people do but thes are some of my own, dont be rushed around a viewing, it's a big purchase, you need to be sure.
Finally if you do decide that it's worth progressing to the next stage have the proffesional surveys done, engines too, this is where the money is going to be so it's probably the best money you will spend, highlight any areas you need reassurance on and make the surveyor aware of what additions you want highlighting in your report.

Enjoy it, make light of your findings while onboard, carry a torch and camera while your viewing, when you do find the right one you will know instantly, enjoy the search.

 

[AllanJ]

You could ...

Not specific to the Sealine (I have just bought a F33 Statesman) but check the brightness on any nav screens (in sunlight!);
maybe extreme, but take a hose and spray water around the outside (I had two window leaks in the second cabin) especially around the windows and along the front of the spray protector on the flybridge.
Check that all of the zips on the canvas work and that as many studs as reasonable are still in situ on the flybridge cover and the rear canvas.
Check the swim platform shower works (if you wish).
Lift the automatic bilge pump switches to check that they work.
Do a sea test to check that the tridata (or equivalent) works.

No matter - I would recommend buying from a reputable source that will honour any agreement to put right any significant defects within a defined period. I did and was glad of it. I suspect no boat that age is flawless.

 

[Sneds]

I just had to re-read that as I thought you said to spay water around the inside to check for leaks!
LOL I had a vision of water leaking through the windows from the inside out.

All good advice so far, if looking at a couple of boats a spread sheet can help you remember which one is which as they can all start to blend into one.

Good luck and enjoy your search

 

[thefatlady]

I am looking to buy a sealine 330 ambasador with ad41 engines .
Can anybody help with what to look out for and their experience of the boat.
Can anybody recomend surveyor in the Poole area.

I had a 1991 Sealine 328 (identical to the 330 except for a slight swim platform mod) with AD41s from 1994 to 1996. I remember it as one of the better boats I have owned. Good seakeeping, well behaved, top speed 35kts.

Check all the things others have mentioned, but, apart from mild steel screws in the cockpit upholstery and domestic standard wiring in the engine room, I don't remember it having any model-specific faults.

I took it across the Channel and down to the West Country many times.

I think the outside still looks reasonable, although the interior is now dated.

This is it:

 

[Gavinvfr]

This is my Sealine 310 at Tattershall on the R witham
Freya is up for sale £49950
Twin 200hp Volvo's
1995 model
Berthed @ Burton waters Marina Lincoln

 

[sealiner]

Thanks for the info.
I have made an offer on a boat which I waiting to here back on.
The boat is in fantastic condition for the year and looks to have been lightly used.
I will be getting a full survey for the boat and same again for the engines and as you said this is a large purchase so walking away will awalys be an option if I am not sure.

Can anybody recomend a good surveyor on the south coast ??

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

The 330 Ambassador, first named as 328 Soverign is actually one of my preferred Sealine models. I used to crew and take care of a 328 back in 1989, till 1992. This is a good Sealine boat, and in my experience with the brand has one of the best hulls too coming from the UK builder.
Saying all this it did develop some waterleak problems but no stress, or tabing problems.
I think it measures an overall length to about 36 feet including the bolted aft platform as it is actually a big and spacious boat.
Top speed we reached when new with the 41s was 33 knots. I say today is fair to say to expect a close to 30 knots performance. In my experience with owning a boat with 41s for 14 years they tend to loose a bit of power over time.

 

[sealiner]

Good to here the positive responce
I have had a good look around at the various model and the 328/330 seems to offer the best in the way of accomodation,cockpit size and has not dated to much up against other boats of the same age.
I would be intrested to hear of the consuption figures for the boat if anybody knows ??

 

[volvopaul]

I can do your engine and drive survey, send a pm if your interested.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Here is some consumption figures I can remember out of mind.
At 3300 RPM you should be doing about 22/23 knots and drinking about 60 LPH for both engines. You can cruise at 3500 and drink about 70 LPH and do about 25/26 knots.

 

[thefatlady]

From memory, about 1.8 mpg overall, with cruising at 23 kts - about the same as PowerYachtBlog's. At about 26 kts, it seemed to get everything together and just fly across the water. My Yachtmaster instructor observed that it was the best Sealine he'd been on.

I'm trying to think of particular problems, but having difficulty. Look at the forward cabin door slider - it's weak and inclined to bend. I strengthened mine.

I remember about 3000rpm at 22/23 kts. I assume PYB's 328 was in the Med. Expect one or two knots more in the UK.

I have lots of happy memories with my 328, and no bad ones.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Yes it was in the Med. In the first 2 years it was still quite fast considering its real length and weight, and not so powerful twin 200hp 41s doing 33 knots max in light weight mode and just launched.

 

[sealiner]

Thanks for all the response I am now sure Ive picked right model.
When Sealine stopped making the 330 it was a few years before the s34 came out which in my thinking will make the 330 hold it value as it,s a big jump in cost to the s34.
Are there any current owners with a 328/330 on the forum ??

 

[Converging]

i bought a 330 last july

 

[sealiner]

Are you in Penarth Marina ?
We will be looking to keep the boat in Bristol or Portishead and will be sure to visit Cardiff.
How have you found the boat and have you had any problems ?
Where do you get your servicing done ?

 

[Sneds]

Phil of Advance Marine in Portishead is very good, we are in Bristol - come say hello if you moor here.
When are you getting your new boat?

 

[sealiner]

I have made an offer on a 330 but I am still waiting to here back from the broker/seller.
Are you moored on welshback in the docks ?

 

[Converging]

Actually moored in Cardiff Marina. Its a real nice Marina close to basically everything.

I have had lots of silly issues with my boat, It is the first boat I have owned so I am learning as I go.

This forum has been fantastic in keeping me on the straight and narrow.