Sealine S28, Sunseeker Portofino 32- -a few questions..

[ozzie]

Whilst searching for a Sealine S28 (but not ruling out other similar size boats), I came across a Sunseeker Portofino 32. She is a 1992 model but re-engined in 2003 with KAD 43S. Not being familiar with Sunseekers, I have a few questions before possibly taking a trip to Dartmouth to view. (SWMBO not keen on Sunseekers and needs convincing, hence the questions!)
Does the mid section of the rear seat remove to allow you to walk straight through to the cockpit.
How much hassle is it to remove/refit the canopy.
is there full standing headroom in the cabin for 5 foot 8 inchers.
Is the rear cabin a user friendly width and height wise
Finally, what is the opinion on the re-engine. Is it a good combination and are there any known issues to look out for.
Given the choice between the Sunseeker and an S28 of 1996 vintage most likely with the AD41 engine, which would you go for??

 

[Robg71]

Not much input ican give, except to say the canopy takes five minutes to put up on mine. Ok mines slightly larger but not much.
I imagine the hull is built to similar standards as my 87 rapello, ie brick ****house

I reckon it has to be worth a trip to see it, even if just to satisfy your curiosity....

 

[oldgit]

Got to be worth a look even only to convince yourself its not for you.
A day "wasted" will prevent you from spending the rest of your life wondering if you missed the bargain of the century.(Highly unlikely).May even convince you to go for your original choice.

 

[dpb]

I have the 31 which is similar being the previous model.
The main difference was the curved screen and the built in as oppose to bolt on swim platform.
The seat is base is designed to be left in place in use and part of it slides forward to make a large sunpad. It is not a big step down from seat to floor. It is removable or hinges up for engine access and could be removed permanently if you wished but there would still be a small step up from the swim platform.
Canopy can be rolled up to the arch which makes it a lot easier than having to remove completely.....which some folk prefer.
At 6ft 4in I can't stand in the cabin whithout tilting my head. Cant be sure but at 5ft 8in I would imagine you could.
The rear cabin, whilst accessed through a full height door, actually needs you to gon your hands and knees to get in the sleeping area to pass under the drivers footwell.
Once in it is quite spacious in plan probably probably double to king size bed size, more than enough room to sit up in at the 'head' end though lower at the 'foot' end.
Cant imagine there would be much issue with the re-engine as it is not radically different from the originals in terms of power, but I would be finding out what legs were on it and whether the legs were OK with the higher power engine.
As for choosing between, that is very subjective, and anyway I have never been on an S28!
AD41 were built up to 93 so your Sealine might have a later engine anyway?

 

[Whitelighter]

The S28 is a more modern looking boat externally but internally it will be a bit 'floral'.

The Sunseeker is a good solid boat and I think has the advantage of being that bit bigger. The real advatage is the engines. Single engine S28 are not popular and the AD41 is going to be a plodder at best. KAD43s are probably the best of the KAD era - they fixed a lot of the niggles with the previous KAD42 without having the complicated tappits etc of the later KAD44/300 units.

Id want to know who installed the engines in 2003 and id check the installation carefully. Assuming they are all in spec then if both boats are a similar cost id put the SS ahead of a single engine S28.

 

[[2068]]

An S28 with only 200hp is not going to be a "flyer" ... ones with twin KAD32's will hit 34kts, but that's 350hp or thereabouts.

The Sunseeker with twin KAD43's sounds much more interesting, especially if it's this one:
http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/advert/sunseeker-portofino-32-dartmouth/39784083
This also counts as being "a bit floral" inside, but a few hundred quid on a bit of re-upholstery would sort that out easily.

.

 

[ozzie]

Flowerpower, yes thats the one. I think we will try to get a viewing next weekend. As already suggested we need to see it if only to discount it. SWMBO adamant S28 is her preferred option...we shall see! Will let

 

[Andromeda9866]

Hi
Having previously owned a S28 with AD41 fitted it was not the easiest boat to trim especially in a following sea also don't move around once on plane as weight transfer makes it fall over. Also need a lot of leg and tabs playing with when 4 people on board we had her coastal all the time sailing out of Hartlepool if I was looking for a s28 it would have to have the ad31 at the least just for info sealine told me they only built 13 with 41 fitted

 

[[2068]]

The S28 does work better with twin engines.
AD31's will be slower to plane, but with adequate performance.
KAD32 leaps onto the plane, even when heavily loaded, and is the ideal option if funds permit.

 

[Greg2]

I would concur with Jez if you are simply choosing between the two. The KAD 43's are a good engine and if installed correctly (no reason why they shouldn't be) then that combined with it being a larger boat (space matters) makes it an easy decision IMHO. Twins will also make the manoeuvrability better as well as giving good performance and a little peace of mind with the option of one engine getting you home in the event if a breakdown.