Sealine or Alternative?

I

Ianj68

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Based on a number of factors, level of accommodation being the primary factor, I've pretty much decided that our next boat will be a late Sealine S38.

Here's the quandary. I'm fairly worried about their reputation for hull problems, cracking etc.

After an evening of trawling various forums about this topic I've not managed to form a view either way. Advice seems to range from the problem is limited and all sports boats run the risk of developing cracks if not handled correctly to get a decent survey and if it looks okay it probably will be. If we decide not to go for a Sealine what's the alternative? We've discounted Bavaria, Targa 37, Sessa.

What's the forums view / experiences on this?

Cheers

Ian
 
There was a specific problem with the hull underneath the saloon seating being insufficiently strong - these should have either been repaired by Desty Marine, or they will have sunk by now(!).
Later models and the SC38 didn't suffer from this problem.
Main thing is a get a good survey done, as you do get a lot of boat for the money.

Alternative might be a Princess V42?
 
FlowerPower said:
There was a specific problem with the hull underneath the saloon seating being insufficiently strong - these should have either been repaired by Desty Marine, or they will have sunk by now(!).
Later models and the SC38 didn't suffer from this problem.
Main thing is a get a good survey done, as you do get a lot of boat for the money.

Alternative might be a Princess V42?
Click to expand...

I have never heard of one sinking or letting water in, faults only found on purchase survey.

Buy the sc 38 I'm sure pete will give a good deal .
 
Thanks for the response FlowerPower,

We like the SC38, it's a lovely boat but we don't like it as much as the S38. You mentioned that the later S38s didn't suffer this problem. Do you know roughly when it was sorted by Sealine?

Also, I would love a V42 as it was my dream boat but SWMBO isn't so keen, plus it will be a fairly old one for sub £150k (my max budget) hence the S38 is still favourite

Ian
 
These were an option for us and i did quite a lot of research. Long story short I wouldn't buy one that hasn't had the repair work done by Desty's and if I did I would want to be absolutely certain that it was a later model that had the issue rectified. Worth noting that I have never heard that it was rectified on newer boats or that the SC38 didn't have the same issue.....same hull so not sure why it would be different. Someone may know more on this point though.

One I looked at also had delamination issues with the transom.....don't think this was a general problem but worth bearing in mind.

Interesting that you want a newer boat and not an older model of your dream boat. I know we are all different but worth bearing in mind that age isn't really the issue with boats, use, maintenance and condition are more important IMHO. Finding a good example of your preferred model may get you the boat you want with less to worry about in terms of depreciation. Just a thought.......
 
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I'll be given out to for this, but don't discount the Cranchi Smeraldo 37. When I was looking to upgrade from the Zaffiro 34, there was a Sealine S38 and a Cranchi Smeraldo 37 side by side in the marina (out of the water), both for sale. I went with the Cranchi Smeraldo 37 as I found the cockpit much more spacious. The only thing the Sealine had which the Cranchi didn't was a gas oven. The Cranchi had many preferable options like much bigger platform, heating, more user-friendly canopy etc... - granted that all of these issues can be resolved with £££ but I just wanted a boat I could turn-key-and-go (after servicing / cleaning ....)

-Edit- The Targa 37 looks like an amazing machine BTW, never seen one in the flesh but from pics they look amazing
 
Thanks again for the responses.

I'm keen to stick with something fairly new, hence the V42 and Targa have been discounted. Also, as mentioned the she who holds the purse strings has a huge say in this and she really does like the accommodation that the Sealine offers.

@Alt, the Smeraldo looks superb but the single helm seat and no gas oven is an important one for us.

Ian
 
Funny you say that, one of the things I liked about was the single helm... no nagging other half :D On a serious note though I just preferred it because it's quick to get away from teh helm if needs be ie. to get ropes quick etc. The GF much prefers lying back on the lounger when under-way rather than sitting in a seat.

The no gas oven is an easy one to get around... You spend £300, buy an oven, pull out the microwave, put a T-piece in the gas hose (that goes to the gas ring cooker) and hey presto!! If we keep the boat it's what we'll do

Ianj68 said:
Thanks again for the responses.

I'm keen to stick with something fairly new, hence the V42 and Targa have been discounted. Also, as mentioned the she who holds the purse strings has a huge say in this and she really does like the accommodation that the Sealine offers.

@Alt, the Smeraldo looks superb but the single helm seat and no gas oven is an important one for us.

Ian
Click to expand...
 
alt said:
Funny you say that, one of the things I liked about was the single helm... no nagging other half :D On a serious note though I just preferred it because it's quick to get away from teh helm if needs be ie. to get ropes quick etc. The GF much prefers lying back on the lounger when under-way rather than sitting in a seat.

The no gas oven is an easy one to get around... You spend £300, buy an oven, pull out the microwave, put a T-piece in the gas hose (that goes to the gas ring cooker) and hey presto!! If we keep the boat it's what we'll do
Click to expand...

My good lady likes to drive, I like to keep an eye out. The double helm seat's therefore essential
 
We had an SC38 for three seasons and used her is some quite heavy weather / seas (picture of us in MBY with a wave breaking over us at the top of the Alderney Race). Absolutely no problem with the hull (or any other major issues). If we returned to the "dark side" from rags and sticks we would be happy to have an SC38 again.
 
Although the SC38 looks like the same hull from the outside, the internal framing was beefed up compared to S38.
I'm not aware of any SC38's ever having problems.

(the thing about sinking was a poor attempt at humour, btw. None ever sank, and as VP says, it was just something that people found out on survey).
 
Dependant on your cash availability and if your worried about the S38 have a look at late S37's made up until 2002. The S38 is a completely redesigned hull which I hear did have problems with the hull on the first run.
If your looking for the most reliable engine made by Volvo then it's the KAD43
Coincidently mine is not for sale.
 
Ianj68 said:
Thanks for the response FlowerPower,

We like the SC38, it's a lovely boat but we don't like it as much as the S38. You mentioned that the later S38s didn't suffer this problem. Do you know roughly when it was sorted by Sealine?

Also, I would love a V42 as it was my dream boat but SWMBO isn't so keen, plus it will be a fairly old one for sub £150k (my max budget) hence the S38 is still favourite

Ian
Click to expand...

There are 2003/2004 v42s around for well under £150k. I thought about going that route but decided to go bigger and FB but if you want I can PM details that I have
 
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