Which one - S34 or S37

R

RDL

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www.fairlinetarga37.com
If you recall, I asked the forum a couple weeks ago for you thoughts on the Sealine S34 as suitable first boat for my family, (3 boys aged 5 – another story) had some good advise form several forum members.

We went down to Sealine Sales in Southampton at the weekend to view some S34’s. I made the fatal mistake of looking at an S37, and wow!, there was a huge difference in the accommodation size compared to the S34. The S37 would cover our accommodation requirements with ease, where as the S34 would probably be adequate.

My budget would cover a 1999/2000 S34 or 1996/1997 S37 – you can see my dilemma. To achieve a 1999 S37 would cost probably an extra 30K.

To further enhance my dilemma, I had a sea trial today in a 1999 S34, it had no extras in it such as heating or bow thrusters, which were on my shopping list, but it seemed to be in very good condition with AD41 engines (220 hours) and it would come in at a good price.

1. Any thoughts you guys on my dilemma.

2. Does any know of a well looked after S37 for sale.

3. What do you feel the going rates are for these boats at the above ages.

Technical questions.

1. What does the forum think to the AD41’s
2. Full throttle was topping out at 3900 rpm giving 31 knots on the gps. 3000 rpm was giving 21 knots – does this seem reasonable.
3. When sitting at the back of the cokpit you could feel some vibration – is this normal for this size of boat.

I am seriously considering getting starting the ball rolling on this one unless an S37 presents itself.

Thanks
Rob


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Look for a s37, if you buy the 34 now and see a 37 you could have afforded inthe next couple of weeks, you'll be very peed off. The season is nearly over, how much use will you get this year? by the time you've got the purchase sorted? Wait a little longer, theres no rush.

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Go for a good S37 ! There are quite a few on the market. Look in the magazines. The difference in the age between the 34 and 37 is negligible- we're talking lightly used motor boats not cars. I've had two sealines with AD41s over the past five years and no major problems.

<hr width=100% size=1>Trev
 
Definitely the S37. I've just sold mine after two years ownership (going bigger) and it was a great boat. The below deck space is superb for the size of the boat.

You should be able to pick up a 97 s37 for about £90k without too many problems. Mine went for a shade under. Ignore the £110k plus in the adverts, no-one pays that much.

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Definitely the 37. I've had mine for just over a year in the Med and it's a great family/sports boat.
The 37 has tons of storage space (unlike the new S38!) so everything can be stowed away to give a 'clean' boat. Handling in a f6/7 is easy and family safe.
Agree that a bow thruster is totally essencial.
Sealine have made the S37 for a decade so hundreds out there and well proven.
If you do buy from Sealine Sales then take advantage of their direct link to factory and huge experience. So go over the boat with a fine tooth comb and make a list of everything that you want replaced/fixed, you will find that they won't quibble. They have the same excellent approach to guarentees. Incidently their Chairman is a reader/contributer to this forum.
David

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agree with the others - always go for the bigger boat. Tis the season for fairly daft offers. I charted an s37, quite a decent boat. I think on the one we used, a 96ish boat the teak cockpit was actualy teak bolted to the floor - quite good, cept that the teak warped a bit and very difficult to lock down the engine hatch! Later ones have more conventionl teak-faced ply or praps their "teakique".

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I owned a S37 a few years ago and, apart from the superior accomodation compared to the S34, I was told by a Sealine salesman that the S37 is considered a much better seaboat than the S34. IMHO, definitely go for the S37 but a bowthruster is essential
Agree with adrianm. Sealine built loads of S37's and there should be loads about on the secondhand market. The cheaper ones will have AD41 or Mercruiser engines and the more expensive ones KAD42 or KAD44 engines. As always with boats, go for the larger engined boat if you can possibly afford it for easier resale. I also think that because there are so many about and because Sealine discounted these heavily when new, S37's dont go for asking price or anywhere near. If you're in a cash position (ie no p/x) just make a 'silly' offer on 2-3 boats (say, asking price 15 -20%) and see what happens.


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Just a thought as it is your first boat. There has been a lot of concern voiced on previous threads about the need for original bills of sale which prove VAT paid. If you intend to sail abroad you may be asked for it. My advice is don't touch anything unless the owner will provide you with the original bill of sale. (Beware, dealers will often promise and never come up with it)
I think it also proves that there is no other claim on the boat (HP etc) but I'm not sure how that one works.
David

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go for the s37 no question much better sea boat + you will get a much better deal mabey only 10k difference if one year older and get a hull survey as some are better built than others! Sealine southampton usually do a good deal especially if no trade in.

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Thanks for all your advice, it just helps a little when your own thought process is backed up by others with more experience.

However, I am surprised by the overwhelming advise to wait and go for an S37, I thought there may be a ‘split decision’ on the matter. Playing Devil’s Advocate, the other option would be to go for the S34 if it came in at low money, keep it for a couple of years than sell without losing any money.

My thought process is such that I don’t want the size of accommodation to be the reason for not enjoying boating. Thinking of SWMBO here.

I understand that most Boat Builders always has another boat just that little bit bigger in their range, but the next size in the Sealine range is out of my price range anyway.

Do you feel that the S37 with AD41’s is underpowered.

Thanks
Rob.


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sell without losing any money? Only if you trade to another, tho?

Seriosuly, you need the biggesty most massive boat that is (almost im)possible to pay for. SWMBO will be utterly delighted at the luxury and will happily wear rubbish old clothes for years OUCH

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My feeling is that that the 37 is on the edge of a big leap in expenditure. The next step to a 42/45 footer seems a big one. The 34 was neither one or the other, a sort of compromise that didn't fit well for me. If you go with the 34 you will always wish you had gone bigger and there will be a 37 at every corner just to remind you.
Go for it!!
David

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orginal invoices for every purchase. if you don't get the invoice(s) don't buy it.. end of story.

dealer letters are a waste of paper .....




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You are right David, an S37 would stretch the pennies slightly for a similar model year to the S34, and yes, I can see that every time I saw an S37 I would be comparing the space down below. I'm sure its true of all boats that the space shrinks after a couple of month boating.

Rob



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Gosh, how inadequate do I feel in my little S24 :-)

Seriously though, as a first boat, is size the only thing that matters? If you end up fearing it (and looking down the bow from the helm in a busy marina for the first/seventh/and then some... time will cause your heart beat to rise) is it worth it? A well used S34 is surely more suitable than a lightly used S37.


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Re: No!

An S24 is already much more massive than a massive car. The bigger ones always feel "too" big BUT they are not too big until they are bigger than you can drive. And since loads of mutts can drive quite large boats , the benfits of size bring only cost, not a lack of ability to manoevre. Also, larger boats get proportionally more space in marinas, and more help - even though smaller boats get blown about far more easily. Once it is too big for a trailer, you may as well get it as big as possible. You'll always be a bit apprehensive anyway.

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I went from an S24 to a S37 and life became so much easier. I felt the S24 (and other boats of the same size) was like a leaf on the water and needed real skill (which I still don't have) to dock it. I think I handled the 37 from day 1 better than I ever managed the 24.
If it's proportional, a 23 meter boat must handle itself!
David

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Mick,

I did have a drive (sorry if that's not the correct term) of an s34 yesturday, it didn,t present me with any fear.

In terms of Manoeuvring around a Marina I'm looking at it from the stand point of the leap that I will be taking, ie zero - 34'6" (S34) or zero to 37'1" (S37). Not much difference.



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