Sealine SC35

[Moody]

The SC 35 is currently at the top of a very short shortlist for our next boat, and wonder if anyone can give some insight into the SC35 or Sealine experience in general.

In particular I'm interested in:
The ownership experience of the boat.
Should I worry about some negative comments I've heard/read about Sealine build quality.
Any feedback on problems, and the level of after sales service.
The performance of D4 260's.
Is the roof system easy and reliable.

Thanks

Neil

 

[terranova]

Hi Moody

we bought an SC35 a couple of weeks ago and love it.

It's a 2008 model and we haven't had much boating experience so can't tell you how it compares to other makes / models in terms of ownership experience.

I will say that I was a little worried about how flimsy the roof system might be, but it seems pretty well made and don't have any real concerns there.

The D4 260's on ours have only done 170 hours, but seem to perform very well. As our ownership is so young, I can't really give you an idea of economy, but she will happily cruise at 25(ish) knots, whilst topping out at 30.

However, I have been told that for a relatively modest sum, there is a Volvo ECU upgrade (chip) that can be fitted and adds an extra 50 or so horses to each engine. I believe that the extra performance is only seen in the acceleration though rather than top end. To be honest, the current performance is fine for me.

Hope that helps.

 

[rafiki_]

Sorry, can't help with any personal experience, but it is near the top of my next boat list. I love the style, and layout, and fit and finish. Only thing that puts me off is that the engines are sealed in. In order to take an engine out, you have to cut into the cockpit!! I know this is not something that we too concern the first buyer, but what about residuals? I'm not sure that I have so much confidence in Volvo that the engines will never need to be removed.

 

[hlb]

Dunno, weve got one parked next to us at the moment. It's got a raggie roof and the kitchen is outside. It has no carpets or curtains, you cant sit on drailon', no back door either. It's a bit like the old Prospector Princess of the sixties. But more modern shape.

No idea how you keep heat in. or heat out...

 

[BUDMAN]

Hi Obviously hib hasnt taken to much notice off them really as it has a modern invention called a barbecue which is for cooking outside, it still has cooking facilities inside like any other boat, it also has a retractable roof that doesent let water in so when it is raining you dont have to sit outside getting wet while you are travelling you just shut the roof and stay in your shorts and t shirt.
These are a cracking little boats i have the big brother the sc47 and i cant say enough about it and i know a lot of people who have either the sc35 or 38 , this is my 3rd sealine now and all have been mega i have had no real problems mine is excellent at sea and we have been out in some rough seas with my young family and at no point was concerned.
The sealine owners club is a good thing to as sealines generaly atract normall working class people who arent snooty unlike some other makes of boat who just seem to look down there nose at you.
All i can say is give it ago and i dont think you will be disapointed especially from the space for a 35ft boat!

 

[oldgit]

The SC 35 is currently at the top of a very short shortlist for our next boat, and wonder if anyone can give some insight into the SC35 or Sealine experience in general.

A Sealine sc35

Absolutely masses of space down stairs unlike ever other sports boat on the market some of which are much longer.
Side decks you can access and wide enough not to need a mini mountaineering kit to go forward safely.

 

[DTIM]

I too would be interested to hear owners comments as it is also top of my list for next boat and luckily swmbo also likes the look of it!!

 

[MikeJ42]

Hello, I am new here (well, I used to post about 6 yrs ago but got into other things and forgot my login).
I have owned one for 2 yrs. D4 260's mean effortless cruising at 24knts at 3100rpm (full fuel etc). Plenty of punchy accelaration but tops out at 31knts.
Before that I hade a Sealine S34. The SC35 isn't as fun to drive in perfect conditions, it feels much bigger and heavier, but it is a better sea boat and makes long passages easy.
The room available is incredible for a 35ft boat. We regularly have 8 adults dinning up top.
Don’t listen to the Sealine knockers, this is my fourth Sealine and I am actually in the process of upgrading again…to another bigger Sealine. For sure the SC35 is clearly built on a conveyor system, everything is modular which gives a 'mechanical' feel to the interior, but it works.
Perversely, the only thing I don’t like about it is its greatest asset. In the winter the giant screen means you will be cruising in a t-shirt with the wind and spray held at bay. In the summer you wish you could remove it. Having said that, you can pull the roof back in a second. In 2 yrs the roof system has worked faultlessly. Mike.

 

[Nautibusiness]

I am certainly not a Sealine fan in general and when it first came out I hated the SC35. I thought it was ugly as sin, something like an MTB meets IKEA, but then it started to grow on me and now it is possibly the only boat in their entire range I really like.

Handles well, performs well, loads of space (comes from looking a bit like an MTB) and very clever design and layout.

Nice boat.

 

[SolentPhill]

it just looks so ugly!! no offence meant,

 

[AdeOlly]

It's near the top of our shortlist too, though I'd really prefer a Windy 37 Grand Mistral, but SWMBO says it's cramped in comparison, which it is.

Fantastic accomodation for a 35' boat, though it's actually over 36' LOA. IMO the roof design is an excellent compromise between open and HT and simple so little to go wrong. Looks wise I like it, always have, but I can understand why others will loath it.

Sealine seem to be selling them as fast as they can make them; there was a thread on here after last year's SIBS and if I remember correctly they hull number of the show boat was into the low 200s and that was after just two years' production.

 

[U4]

Have to disagree with you there - I think that they look modern and fresh looking!!

 

[MikeJ42]

They are a safe second hand bet. Plenty of demand and stable prices means you can change without too much hassle or hanging around.

I always tell my wife the money is in the 'bank of boat' with our SC35. About as safe as a high street bank, about as quick to get your money out if you need it and the interest rates aren't that dissimilar now either!

 

[Scaramoosh]

Lets start by saying we have the slightly bigger SC38 which given I am 6ft 5ins gives me a bit more room. Prior to that we had a Fairline Phantom 38 so I can compare the build qualities and sea handling.

For those of you who have read the current MBY, it is our SC38 which is featured off Cherbourg in the rough sea with only the roof showing amoungst the spin drift. The picture was taken from one of the three SC35s which were with us. While it was bumpy and we were diverting into Cherbourg rather than continuing a crossing from Gurnsey to the Solent, I don't believe that anyone in any of the boats was seriously scared. The SC35 (and SC38) can take the rough stuff very well, you will bottle long before the boat gives up.

I went to the Sealine factory twice during the build of our SC38 and I was very impressed with the quality of the workmanship. I would say that there is little difference between Scaramoosh and the Phantom in their build quality or sea handling.

Sealine offer grat value for money and if your south coast based join the Sealine owners club as stated before, great fun with nice people.

 

[PEJ]

The SC 35 is currently at the top of a very short shortlist for our next boat, and wonder if anyone can give some insight into the SC35 or Sealine experience in general.

In particular I'm interested in:
The ownership experience of the boat.
Should I worry about some negative comments I've heard/read about Sealine build quality.
Any feedback on problems, and the level of after sales service.
The performance of D4 260's.
Is the roof system easy and reliable.

Thanks

Neil

I, too, am an SC38 owner and I, too, am very happy with it. I can see nothing wrong with build quality at all and the level of after sales service is very good (they won the MBM award).

Can't comment on the engines but the roof is very easy and very reliable but it does take a bit of fiddling with if you want to "tidy" it up by putting the velcro cover thingy on. Usually I dont bother.

The only critism I would accept is that it is not that pretty but when you are inside it you can't see it!

One of the best "trips" I had was when we stayed in the marina and had a barbie on the electric BBQ.

 

[Nelson the Sea Dog]

SC35

I got my SC35 a few weeks ago and I absolutely LOVE it! I can't fault anything on it. Build quality is great, and it handles like a dream. I did go for the bigger D300 engines and the performance is amazing - 38 knots flat out! It sounds great too. I read several reports that the 260's were a bit flat.

It is worth spending a few pounds to get the right extras - heating with windscreen demisters and cockpit heating outlet are really necessary if you are not just fair-weather boaters.

The foam mattress is not that comfortable so I had a pocket sprung one made for £650, and it looks a bit 'plastic' if you don't get the full teak side decks and cockpit table. The cockpit BBQ / fridge is really nice if you want to entertain 'upstairs'.

The roof system is faultless, and because it is PVC not canvas the seagull mess is easily removed. I invested in the brown roof, which I think transforms the look of the boat - but at £4k it is an extravagance. I also upgraded to leather trim and had the full blinds set, which you will need if you are intending to sleep onboard often. The LED lights look great at night, and the cabin roof sunpad is great when the sun is out.

In fact I ticked most things on the option list. It specced out at just under £250k with plotter, radar etc and I got over £30k off. My advice - BUY ONE!!!

 

[DavidJ]

It's been 8 years since we bought our S37 new and I can't fault Sealine. Excellent at sorting out the small teething problems even though we had taken it to Sardinia and well outside the Hamble zone.
Still get free boatshow tickets and a warm welcome on the stand. If I had the cash I would upgrade within the Sealine range (this being my third).
Enjoy!

 

[cliffdale]

Hello, I am new here (well, I used to post about 6 yrs ago but got into other things and forgot my login).
I have owned one for 2 yrs. D4 260's mean effortless cruising at 24knts at 3100rpm (full fuel etc). Plenty of punchy accelaration but tops out at 31knts.
Before that I hade a Sealine S34. The SC35 isn't as fun to drive in perfect conditions, it feels much bigger and heavier, but it is a better sea boat and makes long passages easy.
The room available is incredible for a 35ft boat. We regularly have 8 adults dinning up top.
Don’t listen to the Sealine knockers, this is my fourth Sealine and I am actually in the process of upgrading again…to another bigger Sealine. For sure the SC35 is clearly built on a conveyor system, everything is modular which gives a 'mechanical' feel to the interior, but it works.
Perversely, the only thing I don’t like about it is its greatest asset. In the winter the giant screen means you will be cruising in a t-shirt with the wind and spray held at bay. In the summer you wish you could remove it. Having said that, you can pull the roof back in a second. In 2 yrs the roof system has worked faultlessly. Mike.

My targa is cruising at 32 knots at thoes revs, albeit KA300s. Top speed is 40k but have only reached 39k fully loaded. When new and no load on board, I test drove it to 43k with 2 on board. Just came back from Channel Islands in a strong force 5 gusts to 6 yesterday and made 20 knots in a reallly lumpy sea with plenty of swell!
I couldnt go any faster because of the conditions.

I love the inside of teh sc35 but would be cautios about the performance in a sea way.

 

[nicho]

I love the inside of teh sc35 but would be cautios about the performance in a sea way.

There's no need to be. The hull has been designed by Ock Mannerfeld, and is superb in heavy seas.

 

[oceanfroggie]

I am certainly not a Sealine fan in general and when it first came out I hated the SC35. I thought it was ugly as sin, something like an MTB meets IKEA, but then it started to grow on me and now it is possibly the only boat in their entire range I really like.

Handles well, performs well, loads of space (comes from looking a bit like an MTB) and very clever design and layout.

Nice boat.

Ditto, same here. Thought it was as ugly as sin, but the 35 has grown on us. Still don't like the bland MFI look down below. Would like more wood finishes and curtains instead of blinds. It's a heck of a lot of value and space in a 35 footer.