Which boat?

[goochie]

Hi there, sorry but more of the usual which boat shall I buy stuff. We have a budget of about 100k and maintenance budget to match. We are a family of four and will want to carry/sleep occasional extra 2. We are used to camping/caravanning so a tight squeeze is not too much of an issue. The wife would of course like something shiny and new, but that's out of the question, so we are looking at S/H Sealine F33, Beneteau 9.80/10.80 type models. It seems that a F/B model would be best so we can spread out a bit weather permitting if we're 6 up. Boat would initially be used on East Coast/Essex untill we get used to it, but would then like to do France etc. I will be taking courses etc. How have people found the Sealine vs. Beneteau for this kind of use. None of us get seasick so far, but obviously good rough weather handling would inspire confidence. Shafts v. Legs? Apart from a sea trial how could I get a go on one of these? Your thoughts welcome and apologies for repeating what must seem like common questions, but I need to know with respect to these boats. Any other boat ideas?
Reliability? Ease of Handling?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Christopher]

how about a Neptune 36 Classic. 4/6 berth twin 150 hp Cummins diesels. My boat at present in the hands of Euro Yachts Largs Marina, Largs Scotland. We cruised her up there last year and "did" the Western Isles. We are now looking for something bigger. The asking price is less than your budget.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[oldgit]

Welcome to forum.Not familier with all of the above boats,but best advice before handing over any money is to go and see as many different types as possible.Might be worth looking at stuff a bit older but bigger in order to see what you can get for your money.Would suggest that the condition of any boat is maybe more important than the name on the hull.
The leg vs shaft thing has been done to death here but as a rule boats with outdrive legs are cheaper to buy but more expensive to maintain in both time and money.A search on this forum will indicate that the smaller flybridge boats are a bit lively up top in lumpy weather so bigger the better here.
Several sealine owners on here who can give chapter and verse on handling etc,it seems to be the choice of many folks getting their first boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[EME]

Welcome and don't worry , very few people here will try and flog you their own boat when looking for advice ! Although they will display a healthy love of whatever they happen to own at the time. This allows me to be totally objective.

Good ways to get on boats is to go to the boat shows which are held by the water ( Barcelona, Cannes , Soton etc) and contact brokers/manufacturers beforehand , but unless you can do a quicky to Fort Lauderdale that is of zero value at this time of year. You could also try and pester brokers with those models (particularly those which are mfr specific).

Also try being blunt on here. ' I want a trip on a ........'

Have you looked at bigger/older craft... ones you are looking at a bit 'tight' for 6 !! ?

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue>I am WHAT I say I am</font color=blue>

 

[DavidJ]

Hiya and welcome
In my view a 33 is too small for a flybridge, I believe it only becomes feasible after about 42 ft. The problem is sociable space. You will have a little bit on top, a bit at the stern and some on the front against a sports type boat which has (relatively) a lot more open all in one space.
Don't get too hung up on shafts v. stern drives I have sterns yet believe that shafts do give better manoverability. We all manage so I wouldn't make it a deciding factor of the boat. Best of luck with your search. I'm on my 3rd Sealine but any of the top brands are well worth a look.
David


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tcm]

hi, not owned either but the main sellers in the uk are the uk names - sealine fairline sunseeker princess (in no particular order) and it's wortwhile styaping with one of these to start so you can sell the damn thing if you get sick of it or want to trade up. Shafts are easier to drive than legs but no huge deal - the idea of legs (aka outdrives or z-drives) is to allow engines to be further back in the boat - gives space but then a z allows prop to be er underwater. Rough weather-wise, longer is better.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[PhilF]

I disagree about both the space and the sports option.
I had a 33 and think thats is great value, has loads of space and can be used in the winter, comfortably.

The sea keeping is not so great in bad weather, but then its only 10.5 metres, you would get wetter in a sports boat of the same size.

Speed is very sensitive to fouled props on legs and amount of passengers. IMHO is underpowered with the mercruisers and Bravo's

I have moved from legs to shafts and would never go back.

There are loads of other choices, Rodman, Bayliners, Princess, Fairline, Beneteau, try them all, dont rush, its winter, plenty of time now,
Also, the newer the better

Phil

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[goochie]

Hi there, lots of good replies here so I'll answer them one by one. Checked out your boat and is is V. Pretty to me, but I'm afraid not fast enough or 'shiny' enough for wife and kids. Maybe when we're older!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[goochie]

Actually I think this would be just ideal for us. With two teenaged girls and either friends of theirs or my parents aboard it gives flexibility and options on socialising. Sometimes it's good to NOT have to sit in the same space all the time.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[goochie]

Sorry, seen how this works now. This will be my last post until someone else comes up with new ideas/opinions. The appeal of the 33 to us is the space, the way it's laid out inside, and a good name. I'm not too hung up on the legs/shafts thing, but it's good to know. There was a comment about smaller F/B boats being a bit bumpy up top in poor conditions - surely if it's a bit rough you drive from the inside helm position? I would ideally be looking at the bigger Volvo engine option (200hp?+) although I have seen one or two with the 170's, surely these are less powerful than the Mercs? The other boat that has caught my eye is the Beneteau 10.80 which has shafts and lots of space and big volvos - what's the seekeeping supposed to be like? I guess that one other thought that keeps coming back to me is that Sealine made a lot of 33's and there aren't that many on the market, so they must have got most things right? I'm not planning to rush into anything so all these thoughts are very useful in helping narrow it down. BTW we did do the SOTON show and so at least got to go on quite a few similar boats on the water - even if they weren't moving!!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[DavidJ]

Just a point about Merc v Volvo
Both OK engines but the Merc is very unpopular in Europe so boats with Mercs are difficult to sell on and therefore attract much better price haggling....you will of course have the same problem when you sell on. You will see early Sealines fitted with Mercs (Not an option anymore!)

<hr width=100% size=1>