Trade-A-Boat — February 2018

I

t was only a few years

ago that UK boating

journalists were

singing the praises

of Sealine as one

their marque brands along

with Princess, Fairline,

and Sunseeker. There was

ample room for optimism as

Sealine had been bringing

out innovative and user-

friendly models for more

than 40 years.

Unfortunately after an

ill-fated attempt to expand

into America at the same

time as its banks hit trouble,

profits declined. By 2013

Sealine was on its knees and

in receivership, searching

for a buyer. Stepping

forward was the German

juggernaut Hanse Group;

one of Europe’s most prolific

builders, and English marine

architect Bill Dixon was

commissioned to pen a new

34-footer.

The all-new hull has been

unveiled in two versions:

the S330 sports variant, and

our test model C330 cruiser.

The boat looked resplendent

as its hull sparkled in

Sydney’s sunshine under a

locally applied 3M golden

metallic wrap. There’s a lot

packed into the Sealine

C330’s 10.31m (33ft10in)

length too, and she is a very

family-friendly cruiser with

twin cabins, useful galley

and three separate lounging

spaces.

A full-width teak platform

welcomes you aboard, and

a plush L-shaped lounge

wraps across the transom

and around the port side,

while an awning can be

deployed to shade the

cockpit.

Especially with the doors

and hopper window open,

the saloon has a wide,

open feel rendered by

deep windows all-round

and a whopping electric

sunroof. Emphasising the

clean, minimalist design,

the galley is unobtrusively

hidden under a long and

elegant timber bench top.

Combining with a counter

under the rear window,

the galley has generous

proportions for this size

boat.

Steps take you down to

twin cabins below with

accommodation for two

couples or a family with

children. The main cabin

in the bow has an island

bed and windows each side

for great views. We should

award marks for innovation

in the portside second cabin

as it can be configured into

two singles running north-

south or, by adding an infill

a double running east-west.

These cabins share the

starboardside head with day

guests.

Steps either side of the

cockpit ease access to the

bulwarks and novel bow

area. The sunpad might

not be unusual but the

arrangement of a removable

forward-facing lounge,

convertible to a dinette, sure

is.

The raised helm seat

is wide and comfortable

and the dash four-tiered.

Vision forward is good

but keep in mind you can

stick you head out of the

open roof by standing on a

fold-down platform for an

uninterrupted view. A side

door is a great initiative too.

Our boat had the most

powerful engine option

setup: two 220hp Volvo

Penta D3 diesels delivering

lively performance and

a surefooted Duoprop

drive. We were out of the

hole and planing at 13kts

and 2700rpm, and held a

comfortable cruise of 20kts

at 3200rpm. I got 30kts at

3800rpm.

Sealine has found a worthy

abode at its new home in

Germany where Hanse has

kept faith with the brand’s

integrity. The C330 will suit

both young families and

retirees, who like the idea

of cruising with the option

of overnighting or port-

hopping along the coast.

quick specs

Sealine C330

PRICE AS TESTED $457,245

MATERIAL GRP

TYPE Planing monohull

LENGTH 10.31m

BEAM 3.5m

ENGINE 2 x 220hp Volvo

Penta D3 turbo-diesel

FUEL 570lt

WATER 220lt

FOR MORE INFO

Visit eyachts.com.au

Sealine C330

BEST OF DEUTSCH

STORY JOHN FORD

PHOTO ELLEN DEWAR

tradeboats.com.au 79

Archive Tests