Sports cruiser buying advice.

alt said:
I would avoid a Sealine S23 at all costs. A great little boat if you don't plan on going anywhere, but they're a nightmare to helm.... constantly bobbing from side to side (sometimes violently) and seemed under-powered.
Click to expand...
A little harsh.
I had one (actually an S230 but no so different) for 8 years and loved it when the family were small. We towed it to the Med many times and never felt unsafe or underpowered
Interesting how people’s perceptions can be so different.
 
Last edited:
Calders67 said:
Hello! New to the board and to boating , always had an interest in boats but barring a couple of weeks on the broads as a kid that’s about it.
im looking at buying a sports cruiser , single engine, below 10m petrol or diesel and budget of approx 40 to 50k , bay liner 2855 seems the most appealing atm and keeps cropping up. What are the main things to check ? Obviously I’ll be checking service history and general condition myself. Would you recommend having a full boat survey ? I’ve been told to check manifold/risers Etc. Been also toying with the idea of buying abroad, a few have come up on the east cost of USA, i realise I’ll have to pay duty , vat, shipping, what would I pay from Europe obviously being post brexit. Many thanks!!
Click to expand...

Ermm...where do you intend using this paragon...have you done anything at all regards where you are going to keep the thing ?
Beginners also tend to have an obession with fuel costs...this will be least of your worries.
A boat suitable for the Thames/Broads or other inland waterway is a different kettle of fish from that used in a tidal coastal location.
Any boat can be used in any location but it would be a shame to end any boating career before it took off.
Your significant other may also have some input on your boating future.
Would stick to UK boats for an easy life.
 
Last edited:
colhel said:
As Sunfury's got a mention, there's one for sale here Ridge Wharf Yacht Centre & Boat Yard Brokerage
I only know it's for sale as it's moored in front of me, and I was told where to look.
Click to expand...

Whoever put that engine in should be arrested for crimes against planing boats.

Max speed 20knts? No chance.

I love a Sunfury but unfortunately this is lipstick on a pig!
 
colhel said:
Our boat is longer and heavier, semi displacement (Nimbus 3003) with a 200hp diesel and can achieve 22-25 knots. Based on that I would have thought a lighter boat with a 165hp could achieve roughly the same? ?
Click to expand...
Different hulls.
Planing boats need the 'power' to get over the hump and onto the plane. Other than going full beans that's probably when you need the most 'power'.
So possibly enough power to be on the plane, just not enough to get there. It's a really weird engine match, quite possibly couldn't have anything worse and doubt Fairline put it in. Worst of all worlds.

The Sunfury/targa 27 hull planes at 17-18knts but becomes effortless at 20. The more HP you have, the less revs you require to maintain that position and it's all rather pleasant and efficient (quiet and economical). You need 300 new ponies really, otherwise the hull is wasted.

Thrashing the life out of underpowered combinations is not pleasant or economical.
 
I'd second the Leader 805, we bought ours with a KAD43 last summer, just before the prices went mad. We looked past the dirt and saw a good boat that needed a little TLC and picked it up for £29k from Penton Hook.
A year later and we love it, stable, reliable and most importantly economical enough to use, a day out costs us about £40 in diesel. :) We've had many weekends away mostly in and around the Solent and can't recommend the 805 enough.
 

Attachments

  • 1B7DA14C-EC98-43D2-9FEB-AC32F32B1BF7_1_201_a.jpeg
    1B7DA14C-EC98-43D2-9FEB-AC32F32B1BF7_1_201_a.jpeg
    322.5 KB · Views: 26
  • 5A3E50AB-BC7E-4B72-8693-BEB115F2081D.jpeg
    5A3E50AB-BC7E-4B72-8693-BEB115F2081D.jpeg
    175.6 KB · Views: 28
  • 6F2F0D71-3E2E-4368-902F-7C1914B52A43.jpeg
    6F2F0D71-3E2E-4368-902F-7C1914B52A43.jpeg
    115 KB · Views: 28
  • 4F43F84B-636D-47FF-8359-E17D43DBAB29.jpeg
    4F43F84B-636D-47FF-8359-E17D43DBAB29.jpeg
    303.5 KB · Views: 28
  • 5A7D8846-B772-4083-9EEB-2935B4A9BE3C.jpeg
    5A7D8846-B772-4083-9EEB-2935B4A9BE3C.jpeg
    461.7 KB · Views: 25
Flip272 said:
I'd second the Leader 805, we bought ours with a KAD43 last summer, just before the prices went mad. We looked past the dirt and saw a good boat that needed a little TLC and picked it up for £29k from Penton Hook.
A year later and we love it, stable, reliable and most importantly economical enough to use, a day out costs us about £40 in diesel. :) We've had many weekends away mostly in and around the Solent and can't recommend the 805 enough.
Click to expand...

Looks great!

And of course, there are lots of videos on Aquaholic featuring Nick Burnham's Leader 805 - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOrUltkUqy_NUp9VxavCTFeWPLQbo34Z2
 
Flip272 said:
I'd second the Leader 805, we bought ours with a KAD43 last summer, just before the prices went mad. We looked past the dirt and saw a good boat that needed a little TLC and picked it up for £29k from Penton Hook.
A year later and we love it, stable, reliable and most importantly economical enough to use, a day out costs us about £40 in diesel. :) We've had many weekends away mostly in and around the Solent and can't recommend the 805 enough.
Click to expand...

I'd 'third' the Leader 805 given the OP's requirements. The S28 is a fine boat, but twin engines/outdrives of that age, whilst okay, will understandably be starting to rack up the larger bills. Sealine S23/25, perfectly nice but small for a 25ft boat owing to the narrow beam, and a bit tippy.

A very thorough Leader 805 walk through here

">
" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350">
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top