Sealine S28 single engine

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Scubadoo

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Been thinking about upgrading my S24 to a S28 but don't want the extra cost of twin engines. Therefore considering S28 single diesel, so my question anyone with experience of a s28 single. What is the engine size (hp) sealine generally produced and performance.

I not looking for a doing over 30knots and would be quite happy max 28knots and cruise 20knots, but would that size boat struggle to get on the plane.

I've had my S24 since new for 8years and never had any problems with a single engine and been on single engine for nearly 18years. So not too concerned about safety in numbers thing but more interested in performance and keeping costs down.

Any views in general on the S28 will be greatly received.

Thanks.
 
Friend of mine had single englne KAD 43, speeds you are suggesting are about right, but if the boat laid around to long the slightest build up of growth he would have problems getting it on the plan, could only manage semi displacement speeds.
Twin KAD 32 are the way to go.
 
Hi, interesting thought, S28 on a single. Your reasoning makes sense but I don't know enough about S28's to give you the full answer. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

A friend of mine has a SeaRay 315 with a single KAD300 and it planes easily with a clean bum and will manage about 30knots (he claims /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif) in that respect, your requirements for cruising speed should be quite possible.

If you have a bow thruster, I can see no problem in selling it on later, a single has to be less expensive to run.

Queue: 'DV' as the resident S28 expert and fountain of knowledge for all Sealine / Volvo! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I'm with Jez on the single Diesel, at the moment a single engined S28 is considered underpowered and undesirable. But come 2009 people will suddenly re-evaluate single diesel engined boats, fuel consumption is dramaticaly less and servicng costs obviously halved. If I was looking for an S28 it would be a single.
Ease of handling of twins is exaggerated in my opinion, on smaller boats anyway.
I went from a single outdrive to twins and to be honest most of the time your controlling one drive in the way you used to drive a single, the second engine really doesn't add a lot because drives direct the thrust so well anyway.
Certainly if you want outright performance an S28 with twins is the way to go , because the biggest singles fitted were only 230hp. However an S28 re-engined with a big D4 or D6 would be quite a performer i'd bet.
 
if you look back thru mbm mags you'll see an article on falcon 275, possible tad smaller than s28, but one had twin ad31 the other one kad42. i know both regularly crossed to france, no problem. the ad31 slower acceleration but higher top end, it also sat about 2 inches lower in the water

the s28 is a great boat and are plenty to choose, from, although not single engine, good luck
 
I have a Searay 315 with a KAD44, so a similar size and weight to a single engined S28 I would guess. It will do 30knts at a push and cruises well at 23kts. A recent trip accrss the channel yielded 6 gallons per hour fuel usage.

Last month we had 8 adults onboard and still managed to get the boat over the hump whilst pulling another adult on a ringo behind.

As for low speed handling, I upgraded to the 315 from a Searay 240. The 315 is a doddle to berth compared to the 240. It seems to be less prone to getting pushed around by the wind. I wonder if the increased weight has something to do with it.

Ian.
 
Not much to add really, as it's been mostly said already. An S28 is quite a heavy boat for it's size (4500kg). Twin KAD32's are the most desirable engines (34kts), but 150hp AD31's also work well (30kts).

The handling thing with twins is a bit of a red herring - it's quite fun doing turns on a sixpence, but not strictly necessary. Added security in case of engine failure or gear fouling when going further afield is more of a factor.

Trouble is, looking at Singles, at the time, there weren't single diesels that could produce 300hp. If you can find one that was fitted with a KAD300 then that would probably go quite nicely. Most single engined ones I have seen were with either a KAD42 or KAD43, which is a bit underpowered for the boat weight.

Funny thing is though, people keep saying how big singles make sense, so you'd think that the S29 being offered with tasty D4-300 and D6-370 options would be flying off the shelves, but chatting to the dealers, apparently the most popular choice is still twin D3-160's...

dv.
 
Maybe a silly quesiton, by only having a single you must be saving 400kg + over twin installation. Therefore the boat is lighter, surely that would help towards the underpower issue.

I think I need to find someone who has a single engine S28 to real experience.

Thanks for for your advice.
 
Two KAD32's would weigh 950kg, one KAD43 would be 570kg, weight difference 380kg.

Which is a factor.

I've never driven an S28 with a single engine. What I do know is that having a bit of power in reserve is a good thing. Not so much for blatting along at 34kts (which I hardly ever do), but more:
- being able to plane easily even when heavily loaded
- to be able to drop the revs a bit and cruise with the engines purring gently
- to be able to power up rapidly up waves if things deteriorate

When I say that something might be "underpowered", it's not that it won't plane, more that it won't be so good at the above, and it all ends up being a bit "on / off", i.e. full steam to get on the plane, you can back off a little bit once there, but that's about it. If you slow down much more, you drop off the plane. Hence less choices of speeds, and not as much fun, imho.

dv.
 
One thing I noticed is the S28 Single seems to be about £10k ish cheaper in general terms than the twin version. It just seems to me a good deal and reduced annual costs. But like you all have said, will I be happy with a slight underpowered boat. Mind you my S24 with the ad31 150hp feels underpowered becuase of all the weight I have added over the years but it still planes easily with less than four people and more of a managed technique with more.

Thanks to all for your advice, I will now ponder on it for some time, failing that I like the Finnmaster 31oc with a single. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Scuba,

For some reasons the UK Market does not like Single engines. The S28 does go well with a single, but do not overload it too much. The crunch is getting over the hump onto the plane. With a following tide no probs, but with weight and a tide against you it is a slog. There was one on Windermere that sipped fuel and was a very comfy boat at speed.

When people say it is under powered they probably mean it seems a bit sluggish. However you only notice this when setting off. Having a Single Diesel I can say they are great. Servicing costs less, running costs less, and a great deal to buy.

If you cruise with 2/4 people and do not carry too much rubbish she would be an ideal boat. If you plan taking a lot of people out for the day she may struggle when setting off!

I looked for a 28 with single 2 years ago and could not find one for sale. The owners (right ln IMHO) kept hold of them!

You can also handle a 28ft boat with a single DP without a bowthruster, you just need to take into account the wind and tide!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Thanks Paul,

I do seem to carry more gear (or junk) as each year goes by, but that can be managed - I'll talk to the wife /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

There are a few S28 singles for sale at the moment, but it's finding one with the right "interior".
 
Scuba,

Earlier this year I looked at a neglected Targa 30. The quote for all new cushions and soft furnishings was £3k! Buy the right boat and then get the fabrics changed over the winter (hint, do not go to boat upholsterers!)

A clssic boat and with Red Diesel duty coming may increase in popularity!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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