Sealine update

Under new American ownership for the past year, British-based boatbuilder Sealine is setting about repositioning itself in the global luxury cruiser market.

Its relaunch and refocus follows fresh investment from the Californian-based Oxford Investment Group, which acquired Sealine from Brunswick Corporation in August 2011.

A new office in Ft Lauderdale is also providing impetus to meet global expectations.

To this end, the fit and finish are being lifted, there are new timber and soft-furnishing options, while Volvo Penta IPS pod drives are offered on most models.

Sealine has a reputation for doing things differently and its new slogan -- "The difference is everything" -- points to that.

We recently met up with International Sales Director, Douglas Culverwell (left in pic), at local Sealine agents, 5 Star Motor Cruisers’ slick offices in Sydney. Culverwell was lugging a new 2013 Sealine brochure that was hot of the press and which puts the focus back on the brand and its aforementioned design edge.

The Sealine model range spans nine cruisers in the popular 35-60ft class in F, C, S and T series.

The new brochure excludes the traditional T50 and T60 motoryachts, which will have their own publication, and focuses on the sterndrive- and IPS-powered sportscruisers (S), flybridge (F) variants and lone sportyacht (C).

The F48 flybridge cruiser released at Southampton Boat Show in September last year shares the same hull as the C48, which looks rather retro but will receive an interior upgrade at this year’s Southampton show. Suffice to say, platform sharing is popular in this pared-back market.

Visually, the F48 pushes the boundaries with an enlarged open flying bridge, a Sealine design trait, along with the edgy upright styling. There’s optional seating on the flybridge access from an external cockpit ladder.

Both the F and C versions of the 48 hull feature a full-beam stateroom with full headroom, optional third cabin or office, optional dinette in the saloon in place of the spare guest ‘helm’ chairs, optional hydraulic swim platform, and 30-plus knots performance from 480hp or 540hp Zeus pod drives.

"We upgraded the timber interiors as a result of owner feedback. It’s more British with leather details, lacquered cupboards, recessed hinges and a designer helm with four forward-facing high-backed seats before the windscreen,” Culverwell says.

The SC42 is another standout model released in 2011 and up to #37 in little more than a year. Twin Volvo Penta D6 330hp or 370hp upgraded diesel engines with sterndrives give 32 to 34 knots top speed.

Similar results are achieved with the optional IPS 600 pod drive (with back-up bow thruster) on the SC42i.

But the big hook is the convertible cockpit with electric seating that changes from lunch setting to maxi sun lounge, from walkthrough opposing lounges to a flip-back aft-facing watersports ‘stadium.’

With the opening sunroof extending back near the transom and rear-mounted support pillars, you get internal access to the walk-around decks on what is a big indoor/outdoor stage.

The new brochure shows an interior in dark smoked-oak joinery that looks chic, too.

The same hull is used for the award-wining F42 flybridge model with galley at mezzanine level and typically massive flybridge with footprint extending above the transom.

The shower in the split bathroom arrangement is oversized, while the aft triple berths in the aft cabin convert to a double. IPS 600s give a claimed 30-32 knots.

The new Sealine brochure includes renderings for an SC50 concept cruiser that’s on the drawing board (or CAD program), plus renderings for a new F37 mid-sized flybridge cruiser due out in 2013.

At the other end of the spectrum, the SC35 entry-level sportscruiser has clocked up more than 300 sales since its release in 2007. That model paved the way for the SC range -- the best-looking Sealines in our view -- and then, with huge lids, the dare-to-be-different flybridge boats.

"Space and light are driving points, as is the quality of our new finishes. We also use a signature wrap-around windscreen with discreet mullions that offers panoramic views. We’re passionate about our boating," explains Culverwell alongside the first T50 sold into Australia.

For further details contact 5 Star Motor Cruisers (02) 9518 7777. Web: www.5starmotorcruisers.com.au. Email: info@5starmotorcruisers.com.au