Sealine F33

[peterandjeanette]

Having read all the replies on this thread I am amazed at the doubts that people have on the handling of a boat with legs.
It's only a matter of learning and experience. I have always had boats with legs. From ski boats, canal cruisers, a Birchwood 22 (single), through a Project 31 (twin) to the F33. The handling is superb. This was highlighted during my YM when I was to handle a Birchwood 37 (on shafts) in a strong cross wind, tide running at three knots, in close quarters at Cowes on one engine. Give me the same conditions in my F33 anytime - and I don't have a bow thruster! You can "point" power before even engaging thrust.
As far as the matter of "twitchy" is concerned, let me say that I have never felt unsafe or insecure in the F33. Certainly I have experienced a roller coaster ride round South Foreland and dug the nose into wash from a ferry at the same time. Still no feeling of insecurity.
Yes, it would be nice to move up to a 37/40 ft boat. Unfortunately, cost rears its ugly head. Purchasing, mooring, insuring all have to be considered.
I still think that the F33 gives you a lot of boat for your money, handles and performs well. I can see no reason to spend another £100,000 that I don't have on something that I don't really need to give me what I want on the water.
Go for it Roy. If you want a trial any time, PM me.

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[Roy]

Hello Peter - thanks for that assuring piece of advice. Although I have only been boating for 4 years, my RYA instructor did things with my first boat - (searay 215 express with one outdrive) that defied belief. Further tuition and lots of practice on my Maxum (with twin legs) has enabled me to berth it and manouvre it with ease. As you say Peter, the trick is to get the helm over before you put on the power nudges and the boat reponds immediately. However, i tend to use the engines only now for berthing and close in work, but know the other system works too. We will go for the F33 and get one with or retro fitted with Bow thingy and perhaps in a few years we can progress onto something bigger with shafts. First things first and the budget has the last word. Nice to hear from you again and will keep you posted. Roy

<hr width=100% size=1>What does this mean then?

 

[ivan catchpole]

Dear Roy and others,
I too was the proud owner of an F33 for the last 4 years based at the Race course. I agree with everything that has been said and they without doubt are excellent boats.
Just to add to the comments they are a planning boat as such is light at the sharp end, you are constantly turning the steering, un-like a semi-displacement boat plus the engines are aft which makes it lighter still. I found with a little wind she does blow about a bit,especially awkward coming into the marina. I now own a Birchwood 400 on shafts semi-displacement - have to say she is as steady as a rock,engines midships. Just something to bear in mind. Ivan.

 

[Ripster]

We looked at the F33 before buying our current one (Prestige 32). It was outdrives and windage/CQ mnvrs that put us off. The prestige 32 (around the same sort of money) has shafts and is more stable and easier to move about at CQ and they all have BTs. I admit the Sealine cabin is better and if we were buying again, we would go for the Sealine F37 with shafts and stretch to the extra cost. Just some thoughts for you.

 

[ian38_39]

Probably more important now than ever is fuel consumption.

We have a 310 statesman, same hull as the 330 with 200 hp petrol engines and that gives over 1.55mpg at a 20 knot cruise.

Boat at the top of our wish list is a F36 but compared to an F33 with twin AD41s you are looking at twice the fuel consumption.

Forget the extra length of the F36, Sealine have done a brilliant job of maximizing everything on both boats but both are a compromise, you might make it look like it but if you put a 42' boat into a 37' hull there have to be a few pinches, likewise you will struggle to find anything with the accommodation of the F33 in less than 38' from anyone else but there are a number of squeezed bits.

The F36 without question is a vastly superior sea boat mostly due to an extra couple of foot of beam and shafts planting it, the extra length helps here too and it will cope far better with a short chop, what feels like it is smashing your boat to bits on an F33 is barely noticeable on an F36.

All that said the F33 is perfectly capable, costs half as much in fuel and if you can get used to the tippy ride, and it is, you will also save on marina and craneage costs. Sealine build in lots of storage too so you will really struggle to find a more accommodating boat at the size.

 

[Who]

Our Sealine 360 returns roughly 1.1 - 1.2 mpg

But it's so much more planted in the water due to the position of the engines in the middle of the boat, making the bow far less lively than a 33/330.

If you have had a shaft drive boat, you just won't want to go back. Last boat was outdrives.

Now after a 42-45 ft, so it's time for her to go.

 

[AllanJ]

If you have had a shaft drive boat, you just won't want to go back. Last boat was outdrives.

.

Which is a reason to stick with what you have. Life just keeps getting more expensive as I 'just wont want to go back' from my 1st and business class travel, merc S and SL, Bose audio (everywhere!), and so on. Be Happy with what you have if it does what you want.
(Declaration of interest: I have an F33 and am delighted with it )