The C430 arrives in the Sealine range
as the F380 departs, marking a
seminal moment in the company’s
history. The ghost of Kidderminster
has finally been laid to rest – the F380
was the last boat designed in the UK,
and the C430 completes a current
range that are all designed by Bill
Dixon and developed and built by
German parent company Hanse.
But don’t expect a ceremonial
tearing up of the rule book because
the C430 plays true to the core
Sealine values of space and
innovation; as 43-footers go, it is
huge! High and wide, it’s currently
only available in coupé form with
an enclosed deck saloon (a flybridgeversion is under development).
Bang on trend, the galley is aft,
the windows deep, the television
retractable and the master cabin
full beam and central. In fact, calling
the mid cabin the master is a little
presumptuous, since the fore cabin
is equally worthy, particularly as
it has a private ensuite rather than
just day heads access.
The mid cabin is available with
wide scissor berths or a permanent
centreline double. It also has two
doors into it, one each side of the
companionway. This avoids having
to duck to get round the foot of the
bed and hints that a three-cabin
version of the boat is in the offing.So what of the famous Sealine
innovation? Well, there’s nothing
groundbreaking (beyond the sheer
size), but there are some neat details.
Sealine has squeezed in a surprisingly
effective bow seating area, normally
the preserve of 50ft plus boats.AT A GLANCE
Length 44ft 4in (13.55m)
Beam 13ft 9in (4.2m) Engines
Volvo Penta IPS600 Top speed
on trial 41 knots (unconfirmed)
Price from £394,998 inc VAT
Price as tested £495,000 inc VATSealine C430
There’s a door next to the helm built
into the massive glazing, opening
portholes in the mid cabin are usefully
larger than normal, and the helm
bench swivels to face the dinette.
So it’s all about space then, with
no regard for performance? Not quite.
Sealine is fitting twin Volvo Penta
IPS drives and there are three engine
sizes, IPS400, 500 and 600. The latter
punch a combined 870hp through the
forward-facing pod drives, scorching
the C430 up to a scarcely credible
41 knots according to the dealers!
The mid-range engines would be
more than sufficient (Sealine
estimates mid-30s with these), but
there’s something deliciously naughty
about a big, beamy cruiser that tops 40
knots. Contact TBS Boats. Tel: 01932There’s something deliciously naughty
about a big, beamy cruiser that tops 40 knotsSTARS OF SOUTHAMPTONThe master cabin has
standing headroom
both sides of the bedThe practical aft galley
has a lifting window
opening into the cockpitBoth cabins have
ensuite bathroomsThe helm seat drops
and swivels to join
the saloon at restScissor-action berths
make up to a double60