Sealine S34

T

timgriffin

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2 Mar 2005
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446
Location
Isle of Wight
www.griffmarineservices.co.uk
Got a client who wants to buy a S34 and they asked me what were they like , I have not been on one so thought should ask here .
How do they handle a Solent Chop
Whats the good and bad engine spec as they come with a couple of diferent ones .
If not a s 34 then what compares
Cheers Tim
 
Have one now for 4 years , good all round family cruiser,
accomodation excellent , build quality good , good back up network , hull works fine for us , been caught in a F6 ,
never felt she was under P , engines , common fit out 2 x kad 32 , cruising 22 kts , tops 28kts , Overall a good package
BUT not a performance boat. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
They are not a heavy build for the size of boat, which has some pros: e.g. good fuel consumption. V.Good use of space, etc.

Possibly not the best "performance boat", but fine for the Solent / x-channel in the right weather.

"Standard" engines are 2xKAD32's and should give 29kts ish. Six cylinder engines e.g. KAD43 were also fitted for 34kts: not so common, but more desirable (so long as they haven't been thrashed: make sure you get a hull survey). Last of the line models had D4 engine options, which also work well.

A Fairline Targa 34 will slice through the waves better, if that's the priority, but accomodation would be tighter.

dv.
 
We spent 7 days on an S34 (charter) in Menorca. Overall impression was quite good. Sea keeping was Ok but nothing exceptional. Accommodation is good for a 34ft (but became cramped after 7 days!!). I was impressed with fuel economy.
I think there was a face lift 2003/04 so I'd recommend a later boat.
Others to consider;
Fairline Targa 34 better sea keeping but smaller inside.
Cranchi 34 good looking and cheaper
Gobbi 345 lots of room inside but build quality is not as good as Sealine.
Sessa 34/35. MBM rate them; nice looking boat but I'd go for the open saloon rather than the seperate forward cabin as it it a liitle tight in side (very roomy head/shower though).
 
Tim - not a bad boat for the Solent. Engine options were mainly KAD 32's as has been said. KAD 32 are OK! Not great once the bottom gets a bit dirty and you will find that you need to keep the taps open more to stay on the plane. There were also KAD 44 options but that option can lead to hull problems due to higher speeds and more weight. Speak to Julie about them as her father had a KAD 44 and there were hull problems on that!

I did a demo last week on an S34 with the twin AD41 option (much better than KAD 32's!). I was very impressed as I'd not driven one with that option before, but it was an early model.

We are doing a sea trial this afternoon on one with the KAD 32 options. They are a popular boat with not bad accommodation for their size. Early models will go for sub £100k at the moment.

My choice would be a Targa 34 - more money but what a great "little" boat with a fantastic hull.
 
Not my money other wise would buy something else.
Client likes the living space and lounging space they look smart enough and opinions seem to think they are ok in a chop fuel consumption seems reasonable .
So will pass on peoples comments and let them go from there.

For me a nice trawler style Mobo but its not me .
Cheers Tim
 
have a 1999 Gobbi 335 SC (same as 345 bar the bathing platform) and I would like to know where you rate the build quality is less to Sealine
as with everything I remove I find only better things, have taken also care of Sealines in the past and the more u see go skin deep the uglier it gets
but may be I was unlucky
 
I think you where unlucky , on my third Sealine , as good as the rest. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I really liked the Gobbi 345 (I early bought one). I think you'll find if you to talk to most brokers for example they'll tell you that Gobbi's (whilst nothing wrong with them) are at the 'economical' end of Italian Boat builders. Atlantis took over Gobbi a while ago and my understanding is that Atlantis will drop the Gobbi brand calling it's new boats 'Atlantis'. It is aimed at improving the 'brand' image.
But as I said, I've nothing against Gobbi's. The 345 has loads of room and the 425 looks great!!!
 
the problem Spitfire with the Gobbi brand is more deep then this
1) Azimut buys Gobbi in 2001 and the idea was to keep this brand after various coperations and to copy its production inline building method
2) Angelo Gobbi owner of Gobbi and after the buyout 10% share holder clashes with Demaria and sells his shares
3) he rents the land where is now Atlantis to Azimut, infact Atlantis still have a tag that they are built at Gobbi
4) Gobbi joins with Absolute and this company grows, he in infact now if I am correct 60% owner for Abs and all the recent expansions came mostly from his pockets

infact Atlantis 47, 42, 55 are all made by the people who do the Abs designs
now Gobbi brand outside is finish but in reality it is more brand then one now having Atlanits and Abs both is heritage

i bough a 335/345 after inspecting a 34 Zaffiro from 2002, Prestige 34 S, and Fline 34 Targa
this later one was the closer in price, only 10k EUs more but was much newer 2004 and less specs but bigger KAD300 engines
my choice fell on the Gobbi after 14 years of satisfaction with a previous one,
altough i admit I wanted a change too but my preferred choice to this was only the 34 Prestige with HT but was too much cash
 
Having owned 2 Sealines and having good knowledge of my buddies Gobbi 345, I would say that build is on a par.

I know that my buddy loves his 345 - seen here from fly of SV2 /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif ...

Arklow03FebO7059.jpg
 
Good to know you did your research before buying. At the end of the day you've looked at a number of boats and found the right one for you. Having aslo looked at Cranchi 34's, Sealine S34's, Sessa 35's and fairline T34's and Gobbi's I too was leaning toward the Gobbi. You'd get a newer boat for less money!! However, for me it was the space on board that impressed me but I can not say the fit and finish was as high as some of the others...just my opinion.
 
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