Sealine F44

At last count there were four Sealine cruisers in Oz - one lying in Queensland and three in Sydney. This isn't a bad feat considering the UK motor and sportscruiser marque has had a fleeting presence here of less than a year.

Those who have bought the Sealines range from a couple of newlyweds in their 30s to another couple in their 50s with a growing family. They gave several reasons for buying a Sealine cruiser over, say, a Princess or Fairline, including value for money, though not at the expense of quality. Indeed, a key selling point of the Sealine is the quality evident in most English boats. One local buyer had a surveyor go over the competition before settling on his Sealine. According to the surveyor, the Sealine was less noisy and choppy at sea - a sentiment echoed by others.

While the UK yard makes 50 boats a year and is enjoying growing acceptance in the US, it isn't resting on its laurels. Sealine is currently developing a new 60-footer, but one only needs to look at the just-launched 42-footer heading to Oz to see where Sealine is really coming from.

Get this. The new F42 has a retractable cockpit that increases outdoor living space and seating, while reducing waterline length for cheaper marina by-the-foot parking fees. All this is still just part of the reason Sealine is primed for a rewarding time in Australia.

Sellers of luxury boats around the country report that more and more people are taking the view that quality of life is important and that you can't take your riches with you. Thus, boating stands to benefit, especially the top end of town.

In the 40-50ft range, where new big boat buyers shop for a value-for-money cruiser that doesn't present too many owner headaches, Sealine has a strong presence. (The four models sold in Australia span from 37-51ft.)

The F44, a flybridge cruiser with twin cabins and twin bathrooms, encompasses everything that is attractive about Sealine. I stepped aboard the stylish boat one perfect summer's day, sushi lunch assembled on the table fronted by a leather settee, and a cappuccino machine poised atop the nearby wet bar.

THE SPACE RACE
With such creature comforts, time ticked by on the Sealine F44. If you can say one thing, it is that the boat has very fair mouldings, mainly teak-covered decks, and is all-over accessible. The F44 offers separate areas for soaking up the sun and escaping it under an overhang.

Of course, reverse-cycle air-conditioning, an option on the testboat, ensures the ultimate reprieve is indoors. But before I could bask in cool air, coffee and California rolls there was work to do.

Unlike some cruisers, the F44 has an integral boarding platform that forms part of the hull. It is wide enough to sit on or carry a tender, with spigots provided for the cradle.

Other aft details include courtesy lights, a concealed swim ladder, a moulded fender locker, hot and cold deck shower, and a transom door to port.

The cockpit, while not the biggest you will find on a 44-footer, offers seating for five on a rear lounge and standing room for at least six guests for that champagne-and-canape cruise.

Sealine is almost obsessed with providing storage holds. In the bridge overhang, for example, a loose table - ideal for throwing together a makeshift lunch and breakfast - hides in a locker. There are further holds under the saloon lounge, including a stainless icebox, plus a massive lazarette that could harbour stowaways.

Doubling as an engineering space, the lazarette carried the two air-conditioning units, the Kohler 6kVa genset, fuel filters, circuit breakers and the steering gear. A moulded liner makes the big sub-floor space easy to clean and professional-looking.

High and thick stainless rails border the rear lounge and provide additional security around the sidedecks, which are accessed up two moulded steps from the cockpit. The decks are equipped with washplates and recessed scuppers to stop water running back into the cockpit.

Deck fittings include designer cleats, a sunpad on tracks on the bow, which won't fly away when you flatten the throttles, a concealed anchor in an bow slot and a recessed windlass, plus a deep chainlocker with, yes, storage for three fenders.

The high bowrail comes with an intermediate lifeline, and while the non-skid appears subtle, it is actually very effective.

A spotlight looks down from the sleek bridge brow, with a horn and wipers nearby, and there was an optional chain counter, so you know there is enough scope out to swing live at anchor.

HARBOUR BRIDGE
The Sealine F44 has a moulded staircase leading up to the bridge through an oval cut-out with plenty of passage room. A foot-control lets you shut the cover over the staircase and, with surrounding stainless rails, there is good security on the upper deck.

A superyacht-esque radar mast trails a big rear sunpad where, you guessed it, there are storage holds below for things like covers. Trendy drinkholders (they match the chic cleats) sit behind the curved lounge to port, where two people can take in the views and chat to the captain.

A sliding benchseat contributes to a comfortable helm behind the moulded dash console. Being roughly mid-bridge, you feel centred driving the F44. Vision is splendid to all but the transom, which requires you to lean to see it while parking.

But with dual driving stations and a bowthruster, there's no excuse for kissing the marina. What's more, the boat's low profile and sleek lines create low windage. The F44 is certainly less affected by crosswinds than some cruisers I've driven.

An upright timber wheel, Volvo EDC fingertip controls, El-Trim tabs with sight gauges, a dealer-equipped dual-function Raytheon GPS chartplotter and radar, and a dedicated map area are hallmarks of a serious cruising boat.

There is no fridge in the bridge, however.

From the cockpit, two steps (under which hides the boat's fuel switching system) lead into the saloon. There are coffee-coloured carpets and camel-coloured leather lounges, lots of high-gloss joinery, white liners and stainless window frames.

The impression is one of contemporary class and the saloon, lower helm and galley are all part of one modern, open-plan layout.

Curtains and blinds can be drawn to create privacy back at the marina, but even then, the boats feels light and bright rather than dowdy or staid like some things of English heritage.

To port is an entertainment centre with Sony DVD/CD/VCR and TV, installed by the dealers, with provision for a fridge dutifully fitted nearby. The two-person lounge alongside can pull out to front the dinette opposite, where my sushi was waiting.

From the sweeping leather lounge to starboard, views stretch out through the sliding saloon door to the wake rolling behind.

Opposite the entertainment centre, and with storage below (of course) this lounge is the pick of the parking areas.

A nice touch was the Impressa coffee machine sitting atop the glass and bottle locker just before the galley.

Floor panels lift out to grant access to the twin Volvo engines. Engine access isn't, however, this boat's best point.

Three steps lead up from the saloon to the lower helmstation, a cool place from which to drive, with a reassuring view over the bow and back aft.

You can open various side windows for fresh air and wipers with freshwater washes keep the salt off the screen.

The big walnut dash at the lower helm is a highlight, as are the boat outlines with lighting plans and switch panels on an overhead dash. The boat's main AC/DC circuit board opposite the galley suggests sound engineering and wiring.

COOKING UP A STORM
While it is set-down three steps from the saloon, the galley is beautifully done and is one of this boat's real strengths. There is plenty of floor space, lots of quality white Corian benchtops, cupboards, and headroom.

Opening circular portholes should dispose of cooking smells, though an extractor fan would be a nice touch.

Amenities include a microwave oven and two-burner electric hotplate (no fiddle rails), a decent fridge behind a timber facia, and a big sink with single mixer. As for innovation, there is an underfloor storage compartment that could be used to store rubbish or victuals during long-range cruises.

No matter where you are, the boat's main living area is, well, livable. Highlighted by curvaceous mouldings and lots of timber highlights, it is bump-free, bright and breezy.

Teak and holly flooring in the galley lead through to generous accommodation.

SLEEPING BEAUTY
Sensibly, the Sealine F44 doesn't try to provide bunks for the Brady Bunch, but instead places two big cabins under the foredeck, separated by bathrooms, for genuine cruising accommodation with privacy to boot.

The guest's cabin amidships on the starboard side has twin single berths that can be converted to a double. There are overhead hatches, a hanging locker and drawers, even a vanity with mirror.

The portholes open, air-conditioning is also on tap, and there is adequate floor space for dressing. The 1.8m bunks felt nice and firm. In fact, I had to drag myself to my feet.

With a door off the companionway and the guest's cabin, the dayhead doubles as an ensuite.

There aren't too many 44-footers with twin cabins and ensuites. Though it has a shower curtain, the guest's ensuite looks the part, with big white moulded liner, blue vanity tops and chrome bathroom fittings. A shower nozzle comes right out of the ceiling and there is a freshwater flush (no pong) electric loo.

Double-tongue door catches prevent rattles at sea, while the doorhandles are retro numbers that look great.

The farthest door reveals the master cabin with a big island berth, scattered with blue and gold cushions, surrounded by soft-touch Novasuede wall liners.

A warm sunrise-coloured light filtered inside as I tested the island double (as one must do), and fair melted into the mattress. There are lots and lots of lockers and an ensuite with a separate shower stall with standing room under the nozzle.

CRUISER IN A BLOW
More than an hour had ticked by since I first stepped aboard. There is a lot inside the Sealine F44 to see. A lot for your money as buyers attest, but it's the performance that really launches this boat into serious cruising contention.

It was now blowing 25kt from the northeast, and we chewed our nails for a few minutes. Due to the boat's tight parking lot, we had trouble avoiding our neighbour's bowsprit and a not-so-convenient concrete retaining wall. But we managed.

Clear of the marina, I took the bridle - twin single-lever Volvo EDC controls, my favourites. Coupled with a big wheel, they made driving this boat a breeze. In fact, I scribbled the words 'cruise machine' on my notepad - not hastily but almost lackadaisically.

The Sealine F44 has a very easy motion through the water and is responsive to the wheel. In fact, it is one of the more carefree cruisers I have driven in recent times.

Shaded by the aftermarket bimini top, I cruised to a top speed of 29kt. The factory quotes 30/32kt given a clean bum. But mostly I sat on 18-23kt, the kind of speed, which is fast, but not so fast you miss seeing things along the way.

Engines are mounted on big galvanised iron bearers and a solid glass running surface made to European standards doesn't thump. The boat hasn't the same big down-turned chines as other UK cruisers, yet it doesn't labour getting up on the plane and, if anything, it is quieter underway.

While including English tradition, Sealine distinguishes itself from the blue-blazer set through innovation. Its designers think outside the square. The F44 is a fun, cheery, stylish, not too demanding mini-motoryacht.

Like the Sealine owners in Australia, I, too, made an emotional decision. Time and tide and lunch wait for no man. The sushi was eaten, coffee was drunk, and Sydney Harbour was cruised in the name of a better quality of life...

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