Sealine F43 suitable for UK Rivers?

C

Crazy Fish

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Hi all

sorry if it’s a silly question but I’m new to boating and looking at purchasing at Sealine F43 as we have a large family & need the space to move and relax.
I’m looking at doing short runs from a North Yorkshire mooring to start with then build up to longer in land UK holidays & hopefully onto France & possibly Spain via the inland route In the distance future.
Will this boat be suitable for the river network?
Will I be limited as it looks quite big or is it just a good size?
Are there better options ?
Or am I been mad?

All advice welcome
 
My first thought is a F43 is very big as a first boat.

There has been a F43 at Farndon so it obviously fits under the bridges on the River Trent.... ...... the radar arch needs to be lowered through Newark.

UK Waterways dimensions here
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/original/32433-waterway-dimensions.pdf

Not sure you would be able to get through France


Where in North Yorkshire are you thinking for a mooring ? Probably need the mooring before you commit to buying the boat.
 
As Martyn has advised, air draft is a key issue on inland waterways to enable getting under bridges. Maximum air draft to get through France to the Med is 3.5m but the lower you can get the more options you have.

An F43 is designed as a seagoing boat and has big motors but there are many that potter around inland. It is a big boat for a first timer but if that is what you need it isn’t a problem - just get a bit of training on boat handling so that you can have confidence taking the family out.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I was a little concerned at first but Iv been searching for a while trying to find the perfect boat but unfortunately this is the one that keeps drawing me back due to the layout. If it’s to high to go trough France then can anyone recommend some better options for me?
what can handle my berth requirements, style & hopefully one with a flydeck.
 
MartynG said:
................. but not exactly a match for a F43 for interior space.
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Isn’t it? Front cabin bigger albeit v-berth, better for families. Dinette and galley compatible. 2 heads. Saloon is probably bigger in the Sealine but the Broom won’t have an internal helm. Brooms aft cabin is full headroom so would feel bigger. Sealine has a cockpit which is a great feature but the broom has a deck cockpit, sheltered and social, better for slower cruising on inland waterways. A bigger but older Broom might be the 41. F43 is a great boat but both brooms are better suited to inland than any flybridge boat imo.
 
I think you need a max air draft of 3.5m to go through France, but do you honestly want to do this? There are many challenges navigating through the French waterways, and although it would be an immense experience, is it something you are going to do, especially with your first boat? I would suggest that you buy a boat to suit your accommodation needs, plus your planned medium term cruising grounds. the F43 is a good boat - lots of accommodation, albeit lacking in storage space, and will be fine on the inland waterways for some of the time, but hopefully you'll head out to sea. If you are only going to stay inland, I would consider a boat that has the right engines for inland use- a single engine or 2 small engines. Look at some Dutch boats, perfect for inland use with some coastal trips. If you do want to go to Spain or France in the future, you're better off shipping the boat by road or deck cargo. If you plan to do this make sure the boat you buy has a Med spec (with aircon, passarelle etc) as these items are an expensive retro fit.
 
markc said:
I think you need a max air draft of 3.5m to go through France, but do you honestly want to do this? There are many challenges navigating through the French waterways, and although it would be an immense experience, is it something you are going to do, especially with your first boat? I would suggest that you buy a boat to suit your accommodation needs, plus your planned medium term cruising grounds. the F43 is a good boat - lots of accommodation, albeit lacking in storage space, and will be fine on the inland waterways for some of the time, but hopefully you'll head out to sea. If you are only going to stay inland, I would consider a boat that has the right engines for inland use- a single engine or 2 small engines. Look at some Dutch boats, perfect for inland use with some coastal trips. If you do want to go to Spain or France in the future, you're better off shipping the boat by road or deck cargo. If you plan to do this make sure the boat you buy has a Med spec (with aircon, passarelle etc) as these items are an expensive retro fit.
Click to expand...

Wheres the fun in that argument? We must debate senselessly, recommending only what we own ourselves (even though you are entirely correct:D)

Another option is an Atlantic 42, ~£150k so maybe overbudget. A bit more modern than Brooms styling but similar high quality.
 
MartynG said:
That is entirely a matter of personal preference .
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Or a matter of what will practically fit, an F43 will not practically fit down the majority of French Canals. Also a matter of personnal experience, on the inland waterway I navigate Brooms (and similar aft cabin boats) are simply the most prevalent type which is why I have formed my opinion.
 
Ferris said:
Or a matter of what will practically fit, an F43 will not practically fit down the majority of French Canals. Also a matter of personnal experience, on the inland waterway I navigate Brooms (and similar aft cabin boats) are simply the most prevalent type which is why I have formed my opinion.
Click to expand...

I also have personal experience of navigating rivers (River Trent) ............initially with a sports cruiser and now in a flybridge boat .
There are a fair mix of river cruisers ,sports cruisers , flybridges and Broom type boats where we are . All are suitable for rivers although many are really intended as sea boats .
A friend has just traded his Broom for a sports cruiser because the sports cruiser has easier access .
 
Big Sealines are very popular indeed on the Thames the F43 included.
Airdraft listed at about 14ft. ?
If the radar strut is hinged ? (think it is) should reduce you airdraft by another couple of feet, only downside was an owner did comment it was easy to drop but a pain to push back into postion.
 
MartynG said:
I also have personal experience of navigating rivers (River Trent) ............initially with a sports cruiser and now in a flybridge boat .
There are a fair mix of river cruisers ,sports cruisers , flybridges and Broom type boats where we are . All are suitable for rivers although many are really intended as sea boats .
A friend has just traded his Broom for a sports cruiser because the sports cruiser has easier access .
Click to expand...

I wouldn’t disagree that many styles of boat are absolutely fine on the rivers and all have pros and cons and we all make our choices based upon what we think is more important for us. We have had Brooms, sports cruisers and now a trawler style fly bridge boat and all have served us well inland and at sea although they each have their strengths and weaknesses in any given situation.

The only thing I would say is that Brooms designed their boats (starting with the Continental - hence the name) specifically with the European waterways in mind and they pretty much nailed the right balance between spacious accommodation, good outdoor space/cockpit and easy access decks for working ropes and fenders safely in locks etc. They also ensured that the dimensions were right for locks and bridges and they turned out to be good sea boats so as an all-rounder they do take some beating. One downside on some, which has been addressed in newer models, is a bit of a climb to get aboard from pontoon height but usually fine when side on, which is often the case when transiting inland waterways.

We have chosen not to have another Broom because we currently prioritise what the Hardy has to offer but we will see whether we regret that decision when stuck the wrong side of a bridge! :D
.
 
I cannot imagine a more ugly slab sided mobo than a F43 . Surely someone can help the OP with some suggestions of quality. Even a Trader looks attractive in comparison. Have a look at Bavaria mobo if after cheaper makes but Brooms always seem popular and need to remember ability to sell. If I was planning french canals I might start by looking at Dutch mobo brokers . It all turns also on all the engine stuff and budget but you would surely want something which gives some warmth as you walk by but clearly many like slab sides etc .
 
Don’t worry about 43 feet being to big for a first boat just get some lessons.
Be honest in what you are looking for. If it is all about rivers then get a river boat. They are happy plodding all day and have smaller engines etc. A fast planning boat will go slowly but they are not designed for it and will often wander about. The engines are not designed for it either - that does not cause imminent issues but they will need a run from time to time.

the snag is many river boats like broom have old styling Which may not be to your taste.
 
The F43 is a great boat at sea or on a river. We had one for 6 years, it was our 2nd boat. We initially kept it at York Marina, then Liverpool (don't) for some sea fun, then the River Trent for a few years, finally we put it on a lorry to west coast of Scotland (brilliant) Great boat, you will soon get used to the size, but do get some lessons in marina handling. Knowing what I know now on boat number 6, I should have kept it.
French canals seem to be getting more and more difficult, however you could still go up to Paris. When it gets too difficult/too low/too shallow put the boat on a lorry to the med.
 
Some interesting opinions above. Seems like you have chosen an excellent boat for your local needs and for the Med (with the addition of A/C and passerelle). Suggest therefore to skip the travel through french canals and get it transported to the Med. I‘ve met several who have taken their boat through the canals and its not been the romantic experience that they had envisaged. It a long long haul.
 
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