In an age of stupendous marketing superlatives, categorising the boat as simply "eminently competent" might be seen as a case of damning with faint praise
In an age of stupendous marketing superlatives, categorising the boat as simply “eminently competent” might be seen as a case of damning with faint praise. I hope not, because the S34 performs all its myriad tasks without any fuss (and, given the strength of sterling, at a competitive price).
The S34 appears unfussy because many of its qualities and details are initially not so obvious. Most noteworthy and widespread is the intelligent use of glassfibre mouldings, such as in the engineroom to make cleaning easier, as removable bins below that provide more flexible storage, overhead as the simple ‘clamshell’ recess for the canopy, and forward as adaptable anchor locker stowage.
I only have two real gripes, the first being a recurring one which, unfortunately, can still be levelled at many boatbuilders. Car owners would never be expected to perch on the edge of their seats to reach the wheel, or the throttle and the brake. Yet that is precisely what many boatbuilders expect short helmsmen to do. Are adjustable seats really that expensive?
And in our litigious times, shiny, slippery patches of foredeck however small and perfectly formed are probably best left in the stylist’s wastebasket.
These two grumbles aside, there are many good points, such as the interior, which is hard-wearing and easy to keep clean.
There’s no evidence that the layout borrowed from the S37 has been shoe-horned into the smaller S34. In fact, the boat feels bigger than it really is. It’s business as usual for Sealine which is good news for boat buyers.
DIMENSIONS
LOA 34ft 6in 10.50m
Hull Length 32ft 0in 9.75m
Beam 11ft 0in 3.35m
Draught 3ft 1in 0.94m
Air draught 11ft 11in 3.63m
Displacement 5.30 tonnes (light) 5.98 tonnes (loaded)
Fuel capacity 124 imp gal 564lt
Water capacity 45 imp gal 205lt
Engines Twin Volvo Penta KAD43DP 230hp @ 3,900rpm 6-cylinder, 3.6lt turbo diesels Duoprop outdrive leg, B6 propellers
RPM Speed Trim GPH MPG Range
2,000 10.2 4.5° 5.4 1.88 192
2,500 19.2 3.0° 6.9 2.77 284
3,000 25.6 2.5° 11.2 2.29 234
3,300 29.6 2.0° 14.2 2.08 213
3,600 33.4 2.0° 18.1 1.84 188
3,900 37.5 2.0° 23.2 1.62 166
Range allows for 20% reserve 80% fuel, 0% water, 3 crew Sea state: 10in chop. Wind strength: Force 2
Performance
Maximum Speed 37.5 knots
Maximum Range 166 miles @ 3,900rpm
Cruising Speed 25.6 knots
Cruising Range 234 miles @ 3,000rpm
Sound levels dB(A) Saloon Cockpit Forecabin
Cruising @ 25.6 knots 80 82 81
Maximum @ 37.5 knots 83 85 84
Price from £81,400 ex tax Price as tested £111,161 ex tax
Designer
Sealine International
Builder
Sealine International, Whitehouse Road, Kidderminster, Worcs, DY10 1HT, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1562 740900. Fax: +44 (0)1562 747709.
Supplier
Sealine Sales UK, Hamble River Boat Yard, Bridge Road, Swanwick, Hants, SO3 7EB. Tel: +44 (0)1489 885115. Fax: +44 (0)1489 582123.
