VERY VERY UNHAPPY SEALINE SC29/S34 OWNER

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marvellous

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We bought a new Sealine SC29 in June 2007 due to serious defects and the product not fit for purpose the boat was returned to the factory in September 2007. We accepted a new S34 which we had to pay additional money for. with the promise from the Sealine factory that it would be of the same specification ie extras as previous boat and free from defects.
To our great disappointment some 20 months later we still have defects with our boat ie waste tank inoperable and has been since the day of handover which Sealine have failed to rectify, electric toilet extremely noisy not quiet fresh water flush as SC29 to name but a few.
Has anyone else experienced problems with Sealine?
We would be interested to hear from you.
 
Crikey, was hoping to upgrade to an SC29 someday, sorry to hear of your troubles.

Happy S23 owner here
 
Hi Marvellous,
What were the serious defects?
I know of a few early models (90s stuff) that had there share of crazing but not heard of any stories concerning any of the s23/25's or the s28 & 34.

I know how frustrating it can be but unless there are severe structural problems the very nature of hand built product like boats will throw up more than a few snags when put in service.

I was led to believe sealine after sales were second to none & in my own experience found them to be excellent.

Sorry to hear of your experience's.
 
Hi, and welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry to hear that you haven't had good experiences with your boats, but most boats do have defects, and your first point of call with most (minor) defects would be the dealer. The service from different dealers can vary, and this is where things frequently go wrong. Things like serious hull problems / fibreglass problems need the factory to get involved.

The noisy flush sounds like a spec issue, as quietish ones are available.

As to your inoperative waste tank, is it that the macerator doesn't empty the tank? I had to replace ours recently, and it wasn't a pleasant job /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif but it's just one of those things that can fail on boats, especially if your other half puts baby wipes down the loo /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif.

Fixing issues is half the fun of boating! (if you're a masochist)

dv.
 
My experience with Sealine has been excellent. (I'm on my third) Your noisy toilet is probably due to the Jabsco electic conversion. I think the SC29 may have been fitted with a superior Techma toilet. I tried to fit a Tecma to my S37 and it just won't, due to the underneath plumbing requirement so I suspect the S34 is the same so like me you are stuck with the noisy Jabsco. Not Sealine's fault just a result of a hull designed over a decade ago (and well proven)
Ask Sealine if you can get your waste tank fixed independantly and whether they would pick up the bill. Because my boat was in Sardinia, Sealine agreed for independant fixing of a few things like this while under guarentee, some jobs were of a "cash" (liquido) with no receipts and Sealine paid up with no quibble.....totally excellent company in my opinion.

I'm interested to learn what your serious defects are, the S34 is a super boat.
 
Hi,1st of all i do feel sorry for the problems you are having. Boating should not be like this. I have heard of this situation on more than one occasion,it would appear that in lots of peoples opinium, Sealine boats are not quite up to the job. some years ago we had a 195 & in the first year the fuel tank leaked/water tank leaked/stress cracking of the hull appeared to name but a few problems.needless to say we got shot of it, bought a fairline & indeed 3 more fairlines & never looked back. I wish you well in sorting out your problems, regards mm1.
 
This is complex. New boats do invarialby go wrong - fact of life. What matters is how the builder/dealer repsond. I have bought a new boat in last few months and it has mostly been fine but it developed one tricky problem soon after delivery. By this time I had moved it 1000miles away from factory/dealer to the Med. Within literally 7 days of my reporting the probelm the factory/dealer had sent a crate of hardware to the boat and flew a couple of guys from the factory to replace the busted bit. All done without quibble, and not a penny spent by me. Dealer/boat were the excellent Essexboatyards/Fairline - both excellent

You don't give enough detial on your problem. What's the black tank problem? 20 months? Can't you just fix it or hire a boat fixer to do it? Or is it something fundamental? And the toilet problem sounds like something the builder ought not to fix - that WC was part of the boat's spec that you agreed to? Need more detial from you to comment sensibly and make suggestions about what you can do
 
I'm fascinated that people expect to have problems with new boats.

I've bought two brand new Brooms and haven't had a single warranty claim on them, plus support of any kind is always there wether it's a new boat or not.

I don't believe my experience is particularly unusual but I'm certain someone will tell me if they have had problems!
 
The progression from the rather more opulent and well appointed Broom to a fast, whizzy and somewhat more utilitarian sportsboat is a most unusual way to do things.
 
when you same same spec as the 29, I guess there are limits as to how "same" that can be. I dont think you can say its not the same model of loo....
Personally, I wouldnt live 20 months with a malfunctioning holding tank, I d have got it fixed, and then argued the toss with Sealine.
Life is too short...
 
I have had a new boat now for 10 months now, only very minor problems, not with the boat but with some parts that are just not good enough? Like pumps ? or the genny battery which goes flat?

Other wise boat is spot on. Th emore stuff you have on the boat the more can go wrong and the more mauintance that you will need.
 
I am sorry to see that you are having problems with your Sealine. I also have been let down by Sealine's after sales to the extent that I will never buy another.

I have owned two - an S28 (no problems) & C39 (numerous problems). I now own a Fairline and I am happy to say that after 310hrs, no problems to report (touch wood). I did need some spares from time to time and these were delivered in a timely fashion from Essex Boat Yards through their "Fairline parts" department.
 
I too simply don't understand why people accept this shoddy standard of service in the boating world. New boats delivered with faults, Boatyards and dealers with 'sometime never' attitiude to service.

You wouldn't accept this is you purchased an expensive new car or something for your home, and you musn't accept it in the marine world - otherwise they'll never improve.

It's your money - so start from there. After 20 months its more difficult - but if I'd had a boat delivered that came with faults - I simply wouldn't accept it and would want my money back. If they argue - a quick trip to the small claims court will solve things - minimal cost for you - maximum hassle for them. Get a judgement in your favour and if they don't pay, you can send in the baliffs or start winding up proceedings.

Never forget - You're in charge - not them
 
There's a poster called D3B who has had some issues with a SC29. I think they're now resolved - or as resolved as they're ever going to be - but he's been none too complimentary about Sealine's after sales service on one or two occasions.

Doesn't seem to be around today, or I'm sure he'd have posted a response by now, but you could try a PM to him. Be sure to head it "Who the f*** is Guus Hiddinck" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
No, I think Andrew38's comments are very valid. Fundamentally, the Sealine and Broom products are the same ie a plastic tub with 2 metal lumps in it. Yes the Broom is bigger and more expensive but the quality and customer service requirements are similar. The Sealine S34 is a production line product, and one that has been around for many years, so faults should not be expected and any failure to fix them by Sealine is unacceptable especially in the current market conditions
 
We bought a new SC38 in July last year after having a Fairline Phantom 38 for about 5 years. Both boats are great, yes there have been a few minor issues with the new Sealine but these have been mainly with the Volvos and Raymarine equipment which is fitted by virtually every manufacturer of this size of boat
 
Hope the laying off of staff hasn't generated a dispondent workforce at sealine, Im sure quality control must be picking faults up.

Of course it depends on the OP's perception of serious defects in the sc29, somone elso might find them acceptable, not saying it is right though & it should be 100% on delivery.
Sealine must have argued the points raised to offer an s34 & then charge the difference, not sure they would have done this if they valued their reputation & if indeed the sc29 returned had major problems.

Sounds like things have changed at sealine, I never had a problem with aftersales but then I never had many reasons to use it.
 
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