Sealine s23 info

neil01403

neil01403

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29 Dec 2005
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Costa Del Sol
www.roadblockpublications.com
Okay so I'm a motor boat virgin! I've read the magazines from cover to cover done the RYA courses and now it comes to picking a boat that keeps the whole family happy.

Serious advice needed from old sea dogs and this looks like the place!

Any one have any views on the suitability of an S23 as a starter cruiser and any ideas on how it compares to the boats tested in January's MBM? Yep a bit of a big question.

Thanks in advance

New-Bouy
 
Had a S24 for one season before moving up to bigger boat. Had a great time with s24 although a bit cramped for spending weekends. Depends what you want a boat for of course. Good quality and reliability from sealine. Would recommend them to any one. Good luck when you take the plunge.
 
Agree with all the above. I ran an S240 and an S24, which were the predecessors to the S23/S25, and they are a great starter cruiser and weekender.

30knots doesn't sound fast, but trust me, on the water, it's plenty fast enough unless you are used to driving hi-performance RIBS.

dv.
 
Never had one but it was just about top of our list before we bought what we havenow. Biggest question is where will you use it? If its the Solent then fine, its ideal, but if its Brighton or somewhere not so sheltered you may find far fewer days when its comfortable to use it. The boat will handle the weather but you may not feel so good being out in it and so your use of the boat could be restricted, then you get frustrated.
Good luck
 
The S23 is a cracking little starter boat. I have delivered and taught on a few over the summer. I would tend toward the diesel version. I would also have a look at the Monterey 240 and 250 with the 240 hp Yanmar diesel. More power than the KAD32 in the S23. Plus a bit more room for the money.
 
The Monterey is certainly high on the wants list but seems to be a lot more money. I liked the amount of space and the design. Obviously Mrs New_Bouy loved the lounger and fell in love with the 270!

The other recent points have also hit one of my main worries on the head i.e is it big enough on the water? We probably won't overnight that much but do want the capability and certainly we want something that can cope with a bit of a swell. We intend to use it in the Gibralter area.
 
"Brighton or somewhere not so sheltered you may find far fewer days when its comfortable to use it".

Hit the nail on the head there Deejay I was at Brighton for a year on a 37ft cruiser, can count the flat days on one hand. Prevailing westerlies 3-4 usually with tide running, plus of course nowhere to go.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The Monterey is certainly high on the wants list but seems to be a lot more money. I liked the amount of space and the design. Obviously Mrs New_Bouy loved the lounger and fell in love with the 270!



[/ QUOTE ]

The 270 is in a different league really. I would have thought you could find a 240/250 for around the price of an S23, might be a slight premium though. But saying that, there are not a lot of 2nd hand Monts about of that size anyway.
 
Hi

I was looking at the possibility of changing my boat recently and looked at similar things to your list having kind of decided i wanted an S23. I would suggest that you take a look at the Doral 250 or Monticello as it is now branded - this was the only boat that steered me away from the S23/S25. The mix of space and styling was superb!

Will
 
I would agree with the other guys that the S23 is a cracking little boat. I was considering one myself a while back. The only thing that put me off was the liveability of the cockpit. As has already been said, it could be a bit cramped with kids or even with another couple. This was the advice given to me by a gnarled boater of much experience: What looks great and cool does not necessarily stand the test of time. If you're gonna sociaslise, have another long look! Hope this helps - good luck!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
We bought an S24 earlier this year (KAD32) and we have had a great time with her. But the previous comments about ability to handle the weather very valid. We are based at Sovereign Hbr (Eastbourne) and it's rarely calm once beyond the shelter of Beachy Head, and whilst the boat handles the conditions well, it gets a bit wearing, and trips have been cut short. Also, the cockpit isn't big enough for more than four, though the S23 has a bit more space than my S24. We're going to move the boat for next Summer to Chichester Hbr so we can take advantage of the more sheltered Solent, and we'll almost certainly trade up in size a fair bit for 2007.
Hope this helps!
 
Hi
I had a S23 for nearly 3 years, great boat spent many a happy week or 2 on her. Handles well and sleeps 4 with no problem. now moved up to the S28.
Good luck, and many a happy hours boating.
 
Hmmm, the plot thickens. It sounds like a great little boat with a few large "buts".........cockpit space and ability to handle weather.

I will take up the latest advice and look harder and I think will look for something a bit bigger....ouch this is going to blow the budget. Then again there is no point in spending the money if you aren't able to use it in the way you want. Any suggestions on 27 to 30 footers welcome.

Thanks for all the feedback it really has helped.

New_Bouy
 
I looked at S23/S24/240 but finally decided they were too small and I was also concerned with single engine. Eventually went for a 285 with 2 x diesel; it's been a lot of work as she needed much done but I went in with my eyes open (most of the time!). No regrets after 2 years of ownership (1st boat).
 
Yes, a used S28 is my recommendation too.

We had one with twin KAD32s as our first boat and it was an excellent learning boat.
Plenty of room in the cockpit for 6.
Sleeps 4 (2 adults & 2 kids).
Good seakeeping.
Good performance.
Looks great.

And when you are moving up in size....


easy to sell on.

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