SEALINE S41/S42/S43...YOUR EXPERIENCES APPRECIATED

Greg01

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I am researching an article on buying a used Sealine S41/S42/S43 and would appreciate any feedback on owning or skippering one, be it good or bad.
 
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good or bad.

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Isn't that the problem ?

If this range have problems with stress cracks along the stringers , any owners are going to keep it hush hush or their investment will loose even more value ?

Even if there are boats out there without the cracks what use are they ?

I know of one that the owner hasnt taken out for two years ! He may be concerned the rumours are true and if you try and use it in a 4-5 wind against tide it is no longer crack free , worst still if you enjoy a day at anchor best not wait for the afternoon sea breeze to kick in or another £4k worth of repairs to fork out on .

I am a Sealine admirer but not this model.
 
Firstly I am not an owner and have never been one. Did know a few on Windermere and on Hamble

Their were problems with early boats of Chinewalk. I believe Auto Trim tabs sort this out. Also suffers from Stress cracks (seen two being Repaired)

However large boat and good value. As with all boats it is a compromise and is better as a floating Caravan than an all out performance cruiser (so owners have said). I like them though and with early boats at less than £150k are good value.

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I didnt realise there were problems with these - I have been admiring them for a year now and have my heart set on getting one in the next year or so - I am dissapointed that there are hi nts that they are not good in 4/5 as most of my cruising seems to involve these :-( - I too would be pretty interested in hearing all about any downside to these boats - expect them to cruise economically at 25knts + though - roomy they are and rear cabin is bigger than anything I have seen on similar sized boats nothing can touch it - would be looking for a 2001 - 2003 model with the sun roof addition at £159K ish .... with Volvo engines as Yanmar (Raw water cooled is a no no from the get go) .... so please anyone with experiences and tales of these boats come clean :-) let us know your darkest comments (as long as they are from true experiences that is and not just hearsay!) ..... thanks in advance and I will be keeping a very keen eye on this post
 
Hi I only have some feedback on s43 with volvo 74/74p engines.

Is that they are a very thirsty boat due to short length and engine installation better go for the 48 if you want a shaft drive boat.
Dont understand your comment about yanmar on the water cooling, they work on the same principal as the volvo.
The yanmar with merc sterndrive, well seen a few with the legs chewed up due to not being strong enough for the torquey engine.

All in all a Sealine represents a very modern styling and great innovation for the price but in my opinion its like buying a saab car, so think very carefully what you buy.
I personally love shaft drive sports cruisers and am on the look myself, Targa 43 is a great boat but out of my range, unless someone is desperate!.
 
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Dont understand your comment about yanmar on the water cooling, they work on the same principal as the volvo.
The yanmar with merc sterndrive, well seen a few with the legs chewed up due to not being strong enough for the torquey engine.

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Umm I have only seen one S4x with Yanmar and outdrives - the Yanmar had no fresh water cooling and only used sea water cooling - very bad state to be in .... hence I thought all Yanmar engines were Raw water colled - this may be an assumption on my part - but personally would never have a raw water only cooled engine ..... too much to go wrong theree and poor winterisation....
 
Own an S42 new in 2004. No stress cracks, no chine walk (hull modified in 2002 I believe). 450 hrs so far. Upgrade from S34. Handful teething problems at start but quickly sorted by Sealine. Very pleased with boat even in rough weather. Several warranty issues however with Volvo D6s which should have been part of a recall (unheard of in marine industry). Last issue concerning propellors going to court next month.
 
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I think NICHO still has one so he will be along soon to dispel rumours!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

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I'm here!! I have a 2001 S41 originally built with Yanmar engines and Mercruiser outdrives. As with all S41's built with this combination, they were a disaster. The torque from the 300hp Yanmars was too much for the Mercs, which grenaded themselves regularly. Most were re engined by Sealine/Volvo with KAD300's/DP-G outdrives.

Ours was done in mid 2005, and when we bought the boat in August last year, the KAD's had a mere 87 hours on them - barely run in. The rest of the boat was a bit grimey, but immaculate and blemish free when polished etc. Today most think she's a virtually new boat. We paid £162K for her, and our S37 was taken in part exchange.

The survey was immaculate, carried out by Paul Homer, a renowned surveyor well versed in Sealines. Frankly, nothing of note was found - the stringers in particular were solid, and the hull free of stress cracks. I only know of one that suffered from these stress problems, and that was fixed by Sealine (they will always it seems fix any such problems). I think most manufacturers, Sunseeker included have had boats which suffer in this way, but it is usually as a result of hooliganism rather than a "normal" cruise in F4/5/6

The hull has a nice soft ride, no slamming etc, though in fairness we are fair weather sailors, and seldom venture out in anything above F5 (being retired we can go when we wish!) Nevertheless, she handles the oft confused seas around Calshot with ease, and I know of a neighbouring boat that has been out in some pretty heavy stuff with no complaints from the owner.

Now the one question that is always asked of S41's - the chine riding effect. Well, I guess it is a bit evident. It always leans a wee bit to starboard, THOUGH it is easily trimmed out with a bit of trim tab. On ours, two or three "dots" of trim tab brings her completely upright, and really it's no different to any outdrive boat leaning into wind or tide. On all of our previous outdrive boats, I've had to do the same in similar conditions.

So is it a problem? No not at all, and I'm told that hanging a dinghy/rib on the transom cures it totally (don't know that from personal experience). However, that might make sense, 'cos the S43 with identical hull but with the larger and heavier engines does not suffer at all evidently. I think that with the original Yanmar/Mercruiser combination it was a lot worse and probably where it's reputation came from originally. Fitting the Volvos cured much of the problem. The later S42 models did have a (small) mod carried out to the hull, and as they are still being produced, I assume they do not suffer at all.

Performance is fine too, 3200 rpm sees an easy 25 knots, with 31/32 knots available flat out. I have never accurately measured the fuel consumption, but estimate 18/19 gph at 25kt cruise.

It seems quite a few boats from other manufacturers have suffered from similar "leans", and according to the magazines this applies to some of the Rodman range and the Broom 39 too, though I have no personal experience of them.

When we bought the S41, we looked at the Princess V40/42 and the Fairline Targa 40 - both great boats with excellent sea keeping qualities, but frankly far too small inside for us (no more space than our outgoing S37). We spend a lot of time aboard, often weeks on end, so space is important. There is oodles of storage space, three large wardrobes, many cupboards and drawers etc, and vast aft cabin with full standing headroom (apart from over the large double bed) and second ensuite heads/showers definitely did it for us. The finish inside is fine, and she was loaded with extras. The 13' 4" beam makes it a real Tardis!!

What else can I say, except to say we love the boat, and unless we win the lottery, will not be parting with it (then, the Targa 62 fits our bill perfectly!!)

Hope that helps.
 
Deffinite problem with chine walking on early S41 models, not sure when or how it was fixed.

About three years ago I cruised in company with one S41 and one S42. The S42 had auto trim tabs and the S41 didn't. The S41 seemed to continuously flop from one side to the other where as the S42 didn't.

Could of been a good helm against a bad helm but don't think even a bad helm would have much trouble keeping a boat upright for at least some of the time.

Nice boats though and if I was prepared to pay for the mooring I'd have one.
 
I agree entirely. In fact before we purchased we trialled the Princess V42 and the Sealine S42 on the same today. I have to say the Sealine won hands down particularly on quality issues. I have owned several boats and like to think I know what to look for.

I have not been dissapointed. We have clocked up over 5,000 miles in her involving mainly cross channel cruising. She is very comfortable and spacious. The volvo d6s, warranty issues apart, have been excellent and we average 1.5mpg.

We do not plan to change, unless it is back to sail, as to get more space we would have to consider 50foot plus from Princess or Fairline.
 
Thought I'd drop in a couple of additional questions, as I too am taking an interest in a Sealine S4X.

1) Would anyone be able to comment on the fuel consumption difference between sterndrive S41 / 42 versus shaftdriven S43.

2) Prices are still in the 160-180k range for 2001 models ... except for the one with Mercruiser legs. Also small difference in price between S41 / S43. S42 another price bracket but then also much younger boats. Given that there's a difference between asking price and market price, would they really hold their value that well ?

Thanks,
Alain
 
Thank you Nicho, you have put my mind at rest and I will continue to long for and S4x - having walked around several thinking of who I could kill to get the one - I am a firm fan of this boat and look forward to upgrading to one as soon as possible .. in the meantime - I will continue to look at them from afar and just admire them - they look good out of the water but much much better in the water ...

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Thought I'd drop in a couple of additional questions, as I too am taking an interest in a Sealine S4X.

1) Would anyone be able to comment on the fuel consumption difference between sterndrive S41 / 42 versus shaftdriven S43.

2) Prices are still in the 160-180k range for 2001 models ... except for the one with Mercruiser legs. Also small difference in price between S41 / S43. S42 another price bracket but then also much younger boats. Given that there's a difference between asking price and market price, would they really hold their value that well ?

Thanks,
Alain

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You can expect to us up to 30% more fuel with the larger engines, for no better performance, (though of course the engines rev considerably slower) - an S43 used to evaluate the fuel consumption with the TAMD 74P's achieved the folowing figures:

1500 rpm - 13.0 knots and 14.0 galls per hour

1700 rpm - 18.3 knots and 17.5 " " "

2000 rpm - 25.4 knots and 24.17 " " "

2300 rpm - 30 knots and 32.50 " " "

So at 25 knots, the S43 uses 24 gals per hour against around 18 on the KAD 300 versions. No too bad I suppose. Servicing the bigger engines is considerably more, though you do save on outdrive servicing.

As regards to holding their price, they seem to settle around the £160/180K for 2000/2003 old examples, but don't forget a new S42 with reasonable spec is going to be nigh on £300K today.
 
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I agree entirely. In fact before we purchased we trialled the Princess V42 and the Sealine S42 on the same today. I have to say the Sealine won hands down particularly on quality issues. I have owned several boats and like to think I know what to look for.


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I'm very curious to know which aspects of the Sealine were better quality than the Princess in your opinion?

Most of what I've read or seen seems to point to the opposite so interested in your thoughts on this one.

Also, out of interest, what boat did you have before?
 
hi im new to this forum. have 2005 sealine s 42. have an on/off leak in fwd berth on stb side of uphlsty under port hole.port hole seems ok any ideas?
 
"What's wrong with Saab cars ? "
Very limited appeal on 2nd hand market and suspect that residuals suffer as a result
"Certain Saab attributes such as strong safety and quirky but comfortable cabin ergonomics have appeal. But the underwhelming foundations remain and reliability hasn’t been great either, both factors in the car’s appalling 17.4% retained value. "
 
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