Sealine F33 - advise sought

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It's time to pull the finger out and upgrade. Having spent quite a nice bit of time being on board a Sunseeker Manhattan 52 doing a Round-Ireland trip i've realised that a flybridge is the way forward in our climate. I don't need people to argue for/against fly, i've my mind made up for the next boat. My original plan was to upgrade to an S28 (from an S23) but what's the point in middle-hopping - let's just get it over and done with.

My main constraint is size - i'm based on an inland lake and if i go over something that's about 35ft LOA it's just taking the p1ss. Also, stern-drives are a MUST. I've been looking at F33's and some reason they just keep ticking my fancy.

In reality, are 2 x KAD32's enough poke? In comparison, an S28 has the same engines and i'd imagine the S28 is a damn lighter boat. One thing I will not tolerate is over-stressed engines in a under-powered boat.

ANY opinions regarding the F33 much welcomed (PS. Looking for 2002+ boat)
 
Fine on a lake I should imagine. They're a bit wobbly out at sea due to the height/beam ratio but probably not an issue on a lake.

Will be no ball of fire with KAD32's, but will plane ok and trundle along quite happily, again prob fine for a lake.

Most had the KAD32's or Mercruiser 180's, a few had AQAD 41 (200hp).
 
With the KAD32s' superchargers they get up on the plane pretty quickly.
Mine cruises at 24-25 knots at 3,600 rpm. WOT is 3,800/3,900 rpm (28 knots).
Rumour is the 6's are quieter, don't get on the plane so quick, but slightly faster. Not so much room in the engine bay with extra two cylinders each, and more expensive to service.

DPE legs are pretty robust but do need servicing every year.

I won't be changing mine any time soon!
 
You may have a problem at low speed on the lake, if there is a speed limit. The 32's do not like going slowly due to the supercharger's, and you may have reliability issues. The larger 6 cyl turbo only engines will be more reliable if run a low speeds.
 
rafiki_ said:
You may have a problem at low speed on the lake, if there is a speed limit. The 32's do not like going slowly due to the supercharger's, and you may have reliability issues. The larger 6 cyl turbo only engines will be more reliable if run a low speeds.
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No speed limits where I am. I currently have an S23 with a KAD32 and while sometimes the supercharger is a pain if I want to go slow, it's a rare occasion :)
 
I know many people knock the F33, but I had mine for 4 years (bought on Lake Windemere in 1999) and kept her mainly on the Thames, so plenty of slow speed running. Also went down river to the Channel a couple of times a year to visit the Solent and France so some fast speed running.

I loved that boat. As you say it ticked all the boxes. The only thing I missed - and that with the benefit of hindsight - was a bow thruster.

No problem with engines or outdrive legs. Serviced every year on both.

The only reason we changed was that we moved permanently to Southampton and wanted a bigger and heavier boat for more crossings to France.

Go for it.
 
Thanks for the info. In general, why is the F33 'knocked'? I realise that the height to length ratio isin't ideal
 
We had a S34 with the Kad 32's...... Same boat sans flybridge....

Always felt she was abit underpowered..... Loaded down with water and gear topped out around 28knots... always felt she would have been happier with more power.....

When we were looking I couldnt figure out the advantage of the F33 over the S34..... the fly is a bit small and exposed... versus with the very good covers on the cockpit was a good space in most circumstances....
 
I think the F33 is successful because it is seen by many as a way in to the classic desirable combination of British built twin diesel flybridge. There always seems to be a market for them if priced right.

They're "knocked" because really they're a bit too small to be a flybridge, so you end up with a very small somewhat exposed flybridge, and if there's any wind to speak of, one hand on the trim tabs at all times keeping the thing upright.

Terrific marina boat as excellent accommodation for the size, but compromised out at sea.
 
ari said:
I think the F33 is successful because it is seen by many as a way in to the classic desirable combination of British built twin diesel flybridge. There always seems to be a market for them if priced right.

They're "knocked" because really they're a bit too small to be a flybridge, so you end up with a very small somewhat exposed flybridge, and if there's any wind to speak of, one hand on the trim tabs at all times keeping the thing upright.

Terrific marina boat as excellent accommodation for the size, but compromised out at sea.
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Thanks a lot for this. 'One hand on the trim tabs' is exactly what I DON'T want, maybe i'll stick with a HT for the next boat.

I agree though, for their size they seem to have plenty of space. I need to get out on one on a windy day methinks
 
A friend of mine had a F33 twin KAD 32s with a bow thruster on the Shannon near his home in Longford and loved it as family boat. I had a few goes out on it with him and in that enviroment the power was sufficient and with twin stern drives and a b/t it was easy to place in the marina even with the windage of the flybridge. I didn't find that I was always playing with the trim or trim tabs, although on the inland lakes / river the surrounding countryside assists with protecting you from the worst of the wind some people elsewhere face during open sea crossings.

Worth a sea trial in the enviroment you intend to use it.

Mike
 
Hi Niall. If this is the one then they are quite popular on the Shannon. Recommend slight mod to mast so that it can be hinged for low bridges (eg Ardnacrusha and Killaloe). Most don't have hinged masts. Nice boats. For Corrib and Derg, I would'nt worry about the speed on those motors, 24kts WOT is more than enough and anyway 20kt is economic cruise. As the boats get bigger the average cruise speed drops (eg most super yachts cruise at 15kt).

sealine-f33-10.jpg
 
Hi Froggie,
Yes that's the one! There's in in your marina for sale, if i'd known it was for sale when I was down there last time (At the Powerboat Racing) i'd have asked for a look around

I want to be able to keep with the current speed that I have ie. 30 knots WOT and anything from 20-24 knot cruise

I need to have a trial on one of these boats to make my mind up. Maybe i'm being silly and should go for a HT boat and then go for flybridge a few years down the line
 
As the size of boats scale up the avg cruising and wot speeds tend to be lower, but the diesel costs soar, so pursuit of top speed is something you will probably need to consider a little compromise. 20kt cruise may be plenty fast enough once the hull is fully up, especially inland, and fast enough on the coast to do any long leg around the Irish coast. Fuel tank range will limit the lenght of passage legs, not WOT and time. Yes that seems a nice one in Killaloe. Enjoy the quest. :)
 
F33

We have had one for over 3 years with the Merc 180hp diesels, been more than pleased with it, flybridge is fine for 4 max underway and do not have a problem with trimming all the time once you have sussed out how it likes to run.

We had an S34 for a few months with KAD32 and while the acceleration was better then the mercruisers in the F33 top speed was down and I could not abide the 4 pot vibration/noise.
 
I have just sold my F33 after 5 years - had the KAD32's and for me, the only issues I had was the lenght to height ratio, a little top heavy but was fine in all waters, even the rough ones! I was quite happy to cruise at 21knots, space is good inside, never had any real problems, cracking boat!
 
F33

ari said:
I think the F33 is successful because it is seen by many as a way in to the classic desirable combination of British built twin diesel flybridge. There always seems to be a market for them if priced right.

They're "knocked" because really they're a bit too small to be a flybridge, so you end up with a very small somewhat exposed flybridge, and if there's any wind to speak of, one hand on the trim tabs at all times keeping the thing upright.

Terrific marina boat as excellent accommodation for the size, but compromised out at sea.
Click to expand...

Owned our F33 for 6 years and am perfectly happy with it. Comment about one hand on the trim tabs is untrue and unhelpful.Been out in all kinds of conditions and never had any problems and always felt confident in the boats abilities. The fly bridge is not huge but adequate and with dodgers fitted it is protected and safe.
 
DIW said:
Owned our F33 for 6 years and am perfectly happy with it. Comment about one hand on the trim tabs is untrue and unhelpful.Been out in all kinds of conditions and never had any problems and always felt confident in the boats abilities. The fly bridge is not huge but adequate and with dodgers fitted it is protected and safe.
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I agree.
I have had my 2003 F33 for 3 years now and it has been great. Handles fine in big seas, lots of comfortable space (home from home in a marina despite the space - it is a boat after all!) and reliable KAD 32's. I have sailed around the West Coast of Scotland and Northern Irelan d and the boat has been fine. Also dont have a problem with the trims. I do have a bow thruster so that makes berthing no problem.

I purposely bought a F33 and I have not been disappointed.
 
Have an older 310 with twin 205hp petrols, space is great and she has been out in some nasty seas on the east coast but do find that in a lot of windy conditions the trim tabs are in play a fair bit, the helm position is uncomfortable and she is a little tippy due to teh height beam relationship.
would think the helm ergonomics should be better on the F33 and as to fly to sc, when it rains with a fly you just close the patio door and enjoy the same amount of light filled living space.
2 x 205hp flys up on the plane and is good for 35 knots if she is light and clean, prefers to cruise at 22-23 so would think a modern diesel version with 180 would be plenty.
Heed the advice on the bow thruster though, she is a pig in a strong wind if it is anywhere from beam to bow

Ian
 
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