SeaStream 34 - Anyone in the know?

[Tim Good]

Does anyone have opinions of or sailed or own a SeaStream 34? I am considering one and wondered of its capabilities. I have heard conflicting reviews in that they are more of a motor sailor and yet some people say they easily get 5-7 kts in a F3-4. That sounds like reasonable performance for any cruising sailor to me.

I'm also curious of sea keeping abilities in heavy weather and construction as I'd like to cruise it up Norway. The deck saloon is very attractive for that and I've come to the conclusion it is a must on whatever boat I choose.

Anyway, any opinions greatly appreciated

 

[cliff]

Definitely a motor sailor. They need F5 and above to sail without engine assistance. They roll like nothing else I have ever sailed on. When broached they take their own sweet time to right them selves. Companion way is small and I mean feckin small - I struggled getting in and out with my oilies on. Engine is below saloon floor so access is a pain as the floor has to be lifted - did I mention they broach easily and if the saloon floor has not been screwed / fixed down.... guess what?
Cockpit is small but secure.
All in all I would not have one again - the Sadler 34 is a much better boat all round than the SeaStream
Which one were you planning on buying? - there are not that many around thankfully.

 

[Slipstream 34]

Does anyone have opinions of or sailed or own a SeaStream 34? I am considering one and wondered of its capabilities. I have heard conflicting reviews in that they are more of a motor sailor and yet some people say they easily get 5-7 kts in a F3-4. That sounds like reasonable performance for any cruising sailor to me.

I'm also curious of sea keeping abilities in heavy weather and construction as I'd like to cruise it up Norway. The deck saloon is very attractive for that and I've come to the conclusion it is a must on whatever boat I choose.

Anyway, any opinions greatly appreciated

We have had one now for three years and absolutely love her. Took us safely to St Kilda and back last month, we were lucky enough to have four weeks on her. Two adults two kids plenty of room. We have a ketch, some say the sloop sails better to windward. We can generally get about 4kts in 10kts of wind and hull speed above 15kts. The sails are new which probably helps. Not a lightweight racer but very comfortable when it blows. Deep secure cockpit, genoa winches accessible from the helm, steering position below, encapsulated keel, sensible layout below, pilot house - plenty of light and great views, good engine access . Hull construction and rigging very substantial, 270 litre fuel tank(460nm range) 450 litre water tank.. . it's all good.

Perfect west coast boat.. Norway is on our list of destinations!

I don't think you would be disappointed.

 

[Slipstream 34]

Definitely a motor sailor. They need F5 and above to sail without engine assistance. They roll like nothing else I have ever sailed on. When broached they take their own sweet time to right them selves. Companion way is small and I mean feckin small - I struggled getting in and out with my oilies on. Engine is below saloon floor so access is a pain as the floor has to be lifted - did I mention they broach easily and if the saloon floor has not been screwed / fixed down.... guess what?
Cockpit is small but secure.
All in all I would not have one again - the Sadler 34 is a much better boat all round than the SeaStream
Which one were you planning on buying? - there are not that many around thankfully.

Crikey... slight difference of opinion... bit like marmite I guess.

Sailed in F8/9 never had a problem broaching.

 

[cliff]

Crikey... slight difference of opinion... bit like marmite I guess.

Sailed in F8/9 never had a problem broaching.

The really funny thing is you have the SeaStream I used for a while - Slipstream - what a dog she was back in the day - I had the masts in the water on more than one occasion as did the previous owner - the last time it happened was in an F9 in the North Channel - SlipStream was a mess below decks, Nav chair ripped out of the floor, radar receiver ripped off its mounting, fridge torn loose and on the floor and the amount of gear that wound up in the engine bay was unreal including the saloon table. Whereas the Sadler 34 I was on weathered the storm quite well and managed to keep reasonably upright.

 

[Slipstream 34]

The really funny thing is you have the SeaStream I used for a while - Slipstream - what a dog she was back in the day - I had the masts in the water on more than one occasion as did the previous owner - the last time it happened was in an F9 in the North Channel - SlipStream was a mess below decks, Nav chair ripped out of the floor, radar receiver ripped off its mounting, fridge torn loose and on the floor and the amount of gear that wound up in the engine bay was unreal including the saloon table. Whereas the Sadler 34 I was on weathered the storm quite well and managed to keep reasonably upright.

Crumbs...! Well I guess the phoenix has risen from the ashes..! When did you sail her? Used or owned?

 

[penfold]

The really funny thing is you have the SeaStream I used for a while - Slipstream - what a dog she was back in the day - I had the masts in the water on more than one occasion as did the previous owner - the last time it happened was in an F9 in the North Channel - SlipStream was a mess below decks, Nav chair ripped out of the floor, radar receiver ripped off its mounting, fridge torn loose and on the floor and the amount of gear that wound up in the engine bay was unreal including the saloon table. Whereas the Sadler 34 I was on weathered the storm quite well and managed to keep reasonably upright.

A F9 in the North Channel(particularly if wind is against tide) is a fairly extreme situation, most yachts will do well to avoid damage or crew injury in such circumstances. I'm not sure I can see any point in comparing a Sadler 34 to a motorsailor either. The damage you outline is pretty normal for a yacht unprepared for offshore conditions, a knockdown will find any weakness in internal fittings and stowages.

 

[Tranona]

Does anyone have opinions of or sailed or own a SeaStream 34? I am considering one and wondered of its capabilities. I have heard conflicting reviews in that they are more of a motor sailor and yet some people say they easily get 5-7 kts in a F3-4. That sounds like reasonable performance for any cruising sailor to me.

I'm also curious of sea keeping abilities in heavy weather and construction as I'd like to cruise it up Norway. The deck saloon is very attractive for that and I've come to the conclusion it is a must on whatever boat I choose.

Anyway, any opinions greatly appreciated

If you are now looking at that size/type of boat then a Voyager 35 should be on your list.

 

[uxb]

Whereas the Sadler 34 I was on weathered the storm quite well and managed to keep reasonably upright.

Blimey, sailed two boats in the same storm? Your da man!

 

[cliff]

Blimey, sailed two boats in the same storm? Your da man!

Na - someone else was skippering Slipstream

 

[makingplansfor]

Definitely a motor sailor. They need F5 and above to sail without engine assistance. They roll like nothing else I have ever sailed on. When broached they take their own sweet time to right them selves. Companion way is small and I mean feckin small - I struggled getting in and out with my oilies on. Engine is below saloon floor so access is a pain as the floor has to be lifted - did I mention they broach easily and if the saloon floor has not been screwed / fixed down.... guess what?
Cockpit is small but secure.
All in all I would not have one again - the Sadler 34 is a much better boat all round than the SeaStream
Which one were you planning on buying? - there are not that many around thankfully.

I'll nibble.......

As the owner of one of the few sloop rigged Seastream 34 I can only wonder at what you were doing to get that performance from the boat!!

IMHO (and that of a great many owners of more traditional yachts who have sailed with me) the Seastream is very much at the sailing end of the motor sailing spectrum and I can confirm the performance that Slipstream details i.e. 6kts at most points of sail in 15kts. Brilliant, safe family boat that has really looked after us in bad weather so particularly surprised at your claims in this regard.

To the OP - I have no regrets in buying this boat, not sure where you are based but more that happy to take you out for a spin if you are in the Plymouth area.

 

[Tim Good]

Very kind offer and I may well be this weekend. I'm based out of Dartmouth and with Northerlies on the cards we may make our way West. Could meet you in Cawsand or Salcombe if you we're heading East. Where are you moored?

I'll nibble.......

As the owner of one of the few sloop rigged Seastream 34 I can only wonder at what you were doing to get that performance from the boat!!

IMHO (and that of a great many owners of more traditional yachts who have sailed with me) the Seastream is very much at the sailing end of the motor sailing spectrum and I can confirm the performance that Slipstream details i.e. 6kts at most points of sail in 15kts. Brilliant, safe family boat that has really looked after us in bad weather so particularly surprised at your claims in this regard.

To the OP - I have no regrets in buying this boat, not sure where you are based but more that happy to take you out for a spin if you are in the Plymouth area.

 

[Bajansailor]

The irrepressible Captain Slarty used to post on these Forums, but he has not been seen for a long time - he was a keen aficionado of Seastreams, and apparently started an Owner's Group - http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?132809-Seastream-34-Ketch-owners-group&highlight=

As Tranona says, have a look also at other similar types of deck saloon yachts around 35' - the Voyager is the deck saloon version of the Warrior 35, and they have a very sea-kindly hull form (and they can certainly sail well - definitely not in the mould of a classic motor sailer type).

 

[makingplansfor]

Very kind offer and I may well be this weekend. I'm based out of Dartmouth and with Northerlies on the cards we may make our way West. Could meet you in Cawsand or Salcombe if you we're heading East. Where are you moored?

PM Sent

 

[polhoff]

Blimey, sailed two boats in the same storm? Your da man!

Sounds like cliff is a teller of tall tales.

 

[Tim Good]

Sounds like cliff is a teller of tall tales.

This thread was a while ago. Not sure why it's been dug back up again.

Anyway since then I'm now a Seastream owner and I've sailed on 34s and own a 43.

Whatever Cliff was sailing wasn't a Seastream by all accounts. Both the 34 and 43 are solid as a rock and built to standards rarely seen today. I've only done around 7000nm in mine so far but in some fairly challenging conditions in Norway, North Sea, Channel in a gale, Biscay etc. Clearly that's a 43 but I understand the 34 has similar seakeeping abilities and the hull shape is very similar as you'd imagine.

Anyway that's my two pence as the person that started the thread with little knowledge of Seastreams and now someone who as a good deal of experience with them.

 

[adamstjohn]

I have just watched your drongue video an was Googling seastream 43.s. I think it looks a fantastic boat, the stuff of dreams.

 

[adamstjohn]

Sorry, know this is an old thread, didn’t want to open up the controversy again

 

[Tim Good]

Sorry, know this is an old thread, didn’t want to open up the controversy again

Best leave this thread to die and not bring it up. The 34 is a long way from a motorsailer and a serious offshore passage maker. Everyone I’ve spoken to says she is happy passage making at 6kts under sail and solid in a seaway. The comments in this thread are just not accurate and they may have even been taking about a different boat entirely. Broaching is literally the last thing a Seastream of 34 or 43 has an issue with.