An interesting mixture of German technology (Sealine belongs to Hanse Group), Italian design (the project manager and the father of C330 is Andrea Zambonini) and English tradition. This is Sealine C330. Few months ago, we tested the S version, the classic one with soft-top, and we liked it especially for the beautiful Bill Dixon’s hull. But this variation, with its central superstructure, is more interesting.
It is a small (less than 10 metre long) fast and cheap boat, particularly ideal for family holidays.
Open or closed? Both at the same time. The central “cot” can be a sure and protected shelter (very bright thanks to its transparent roof and big windows) but also an essential part and an extension of the deck. In fact, all the glass part facing the cockpit can be completely opened. The hold door (little more than one metre long) opens completely, while the glass on the right, above the coffee table , reverses with a small gas piston.
On the bow there is also a small “Portuguese deck“with a second cockpit and a protected passage. We particularly appreciated the bow locker and the system transforming air beds into a small sofa. But the adopted solution (with many clips, additional bands and some Velcro to add) is too complex.
The dinette transparent roof is electrically power-assisted, while the soft-top sheltering the cockpit can be moved manually. Also the engine room door is electric. The room is 112 cm high and accessible enough.
INTERIORS
Below the deck, there are two cabins and a bathroom. The rooms are not too big but the beds and the volumes above them are wide (88 cm above the 212×155 cm poop berth; 92 cm above the 160×200 cm bow berth). Like “upstairs” a lot of cupboards offer a good space to stow.
Rooms are generally bright thanks to the topside windows (even the poop cabin, usually the “dark hole” in this category of boat, is well lit). The bathroom is big enough (125 x 92 x h 185) and very stylish and you may have the impression to be in a larger boat.
Sealine C330: Numbers and performances
As we have already said, we had tested the S version of Sealine 330 and we had particularly appreciated its soft and precise hull. Even if it is a family holiday boat, it is very fast, fun and it offers the rare opportunity to “feel” the boat. It is sensitive to trims and driving style, as unusual on the other boats.
Compared with the S version, it is about 600 kg heavier (because of the presence of glass wall and windows in the superstructure): this means to loose about two knots in the maximum speed. But it is not a problem, since the boats can reach 31 knots, while a good fast travelling speed is about 27 knots and the cheap one about 24 knots. Not bad if we consider the general comfort (no vibrations despite of the big glass surfaces) and low consumption: 74 lt/h in the first case, less than 66 in the second one.
For both engines, consumption is total – test conditions: little rough sea, 3 people on board, 65% of liquid load.
Sealine C 330: TECHNICAL FILE
Project: Bill Dixon and Sealine Technical Office
Builder: Sealine International Limited, Kidderminster, England. www.sealine.com
Importer: Cini & Webster srl. Porto Turistico, 75 – Lavagna (GE), tel +39 0185 321531 – +39 335 6284273. www.ciniwebster.it
Category: CE B
Max length m 10,31
Hull length m 9,99
Max width m 3,50
Propeller Immersion 1,10
Empty displacement kg 7.100
Max people 8
Beds 4
Engine used in the trial 2 x Volvo Penta D3 220 HP Diesel EFB
Petrol Tank lt 570
Water tank lt 220
Construction: VTR hull, full laminate; VTR deck and superstructures with balsa core, resin polyester, traditional layering.
Additional engines 1 x Volvo Penta D6 400 HP, 1 x Volvo Penta D6 330 HP
Main optionals: 2 x Volvo Penta D3 220 HP engine (€ 20.900), EFB joystick (€ 13.6590), electronic set (€ 9.410), comfort kit (€ 9.600), cruising kit (€ Euro 9.800), transportation, anti-fouling treatment and deployment (€ 15.000) .
Basic Price € 174.950 VAT excluded (with 1 x Volvo Penta D6 330 HO engine)
Price with optionals included: € 253.300 VAT excluded
