This unconventional British trawler yacht is extremely well constructed for serious cruising ambitions. Would we be impressed by a long-distance delivery trip?

Sea Ranger 448

Quality Joinery The standard of joinery is extremly high...

Safe Decks A raised gunwale topped with sturdy guardrails...

Easy Access There are doors from the wheelhouse/ saloon...

Contents Design & Layout Power Options Performance & Handling Accomodation Decks Engineroom Comparisons & conclusions MBM verdict Sea Ranger 448 specifications This test was written by Mark Turley and published in the December 2002 edition of Motor Boats Monthly. It is independently hosted by ybw.com, the home of mby.com and offered exclusively to view in this full version by www.searanger.com

Design & Layout

The 448’s hull is unconventional, to say the least, with an underwater cross-section rather like one of those old wide-rimmed soup bowls. The shape is relatively flat across the keel bottom, then works its way quite steeply up towards the chine before flattening out again.

This modified semi-displacement form is to allow for speeds in the mid-20s, but without falling foul of a conventional keel which can make the hull twitch if pushed too hard.

Another advantage is that there is plenty of boat sitting in the water at lower speeds, but still a measure of efficient planing area to give a uniform amount of lift, so the vessel will not fall into a hole with an adverse amount of trim, even at 11-12 knots.

Initially, the interior arrangement was for three cabins, with a galley encroaching into the saloon. This layout is still available, but our test boat had the new two-cabin option, which does away with the midships berths to create space for a separate improved galley to starboard. This in turn allows for a second dinette opposite the helm station, so that a couple of people can sit just across from the skipper and help him out.

Both the remaining cabins have en-suite facilities, and the master cabin aft is particularly roomy, even though it does not run to the hull’s full beam, as the side decks extend past it and round the transom.
Either of the two standard layouts appears to suit most buyers, but the builders will accommodate most foibles, and our test boat had been customised in several respects, not least with a sliding helm seat and an unusual arrangement of berths in the forward cabin.

All the joinery is finished to the highest standard, and every locker and seat-base is lined or finished in wood. Surfaces and shelves are all fashioned with sensible, deep fiddles.

Out on deck, it is extremely easy to move around, what with the chunky raised gunwales and solid, high guardrails. There is access from the wheelhouse/saloon to the side decks via two impressively fabricated side doors, and up to the well protected flybridge by way of the raised quarterdeck.


Power Options

The builders will endeavour to fit whatever type and horsepower of engines that a buyer prefers, but realistically you need to be looking at twin 320hp to 480hp diesels to give this heavily-built boat some legs.
The standard choices are from Volvo Penta, and our test boat had a pair of TAMD75P units rated to 480hp.

Performance & Handling

We timed our departure from the Solent so that we would have the tide running with us for the majority of the 100-mile passage to Dartmouth. Given the stiff northeasterly blowing over the back of the flood tide which we encountered while we stooged around our photo boat before setting off, this was a good move.
That said, our photocall gave us the chance to see how this unusual hull coped with shorter seas. And it did so commendably cleanly, with never a complaint from the boat itself and only a few from the crew when the odd lick of spray lifted towards the flybridge.
Putting the helm over hard, we were pleasantly surprised at the response. We barrelled round in about three boat lengths, while staying almost bolt upright.

The upper helm station works well, with instrumentation and controls falling nicely to hand, and everyone feels safely in the boat rather than just perched on top.

Once clear of The Needles, we set up the autopilot and retired below. Here, the skipper’s mate can take up position at the port-side dinette with a paper chart, while the helmsman can adjust the position of his seat as required.

In practice, we found it was best trundled outboard, rather than left smack in front of the wheel, as the view forward is decidedly better from this offset position; otherwise, the deep bow tends to hog the horizon, especially when coupled with around 5° of trim. That aside, all round visibility is excellent.

A couple of hours at 2200rpm, giving a well mannered 20 knots or so in a moderate following sea, took us past Portland Bill, whereupon we throttled back slightly while preparing lunch and then eating. After that, nobody fancied hurrying on, so we jogged across Lyme Bay at a pleasant, unfussed 12 knots.

All of this emphasises the way the boat is easy on the crew while still making decent time. But on the other side of the coin, it was more than happy to be pushed harder when required, delivering 23 knots flat-out (a couple of knots down due to the ropecutters fitted) and giving a rock solid ride.

At displacement speeds, there is plenty of hull in the water so it is not readily pushed around by the wind. With the drivetrains a good distance apart, it can be manoeuvred smartly and predictably, but steadies almost immediately once the power is taken off.

outside helm
The two-person seat has lifting squabs, and the console is ranged around the skipper to good effect. There is plenty of room for fitting additional electronics beyond the standard package, which includes an autopilot and VHF.

inside helm
Owner Len Wilcox did not want a fixed helm seat, so a movable arrangement on a sliding carriage was devised. One by-product is clearer access through the door to the starboard side deck.

Accomodation

The feeling inside is of light and space, but without ever wasting the latter.

Flaps on the main dinette’s table hinge out so that six can dine on the extremely comfortable settee, or you can put your feet up and watch the flat-screen television that floats up out of the sideboard opposite.
The galley, a few easy steps down, is a practical U-shape with plenty of countertop space. It is very well appointed, not least because it is all-electric, with a 7kVA generator being fitted as standard.

Opposite is the forward WC, acting as a day-toilet as well as serving the adjacent cabin. If required, a washer/dryer can be fitted in an oversized cupboard worked into the aft bulkhead.

The usual alternative layouts for the forecabin are vee berths or a central double. But on this boat the vee has been skewed, with one side extended to make a small double while the other is child-sized — a neat solution for when your guests are a couple with a youngster.
The aft master cabin is indulgent without being greedy on space, and benefits from a good-sized en-suite. There is also a companionway directly out on to the aft deck.

saloon
A lowish window line affords a great view in all directions, even when you are seated, and there is headroom of at least 6ft 4in (1.93m). The dinette seats six when the table is opened up.
galley
To support the owners’ plans for extended cruising, the galley has a good-sized trunk freezer installed beneath the worktop. There is plenty more well thought-out storage, including a sensible rubbish bin.

master suite
There is a full bank of hanging lockers and cupboards on each side of the wide double berth.

toilets
Both WCs benefit from a separate shower cubicle of a wholly practical size.

design detail
Neat practical details include a chart locker set into the deckhead at the forward end of the wheelhouse/saloon.

Decks

You soon get used to slipping through the relatively small doors to the side decks, which are nicely balanced to swing open and shut easily, but can nevertheless be dogged down securely when the need arises.
Boarding and disembarking from the side decks is also easy despite the raised gunwales, although it is a bit of a drop down to pontoon level.
Hatches on both quarters give access to a sizable lazaret (which includes a saltwater fire hose), and for an aft-cabin boat there is plenty of deck stowage, not least within the seat-bases. The rope locker forward is separate from the adjacent chain locker.
Nipping up to the flybridge via the quarterdeck from either side of the vessel is safely assured, with good-sized treads and kindly angled steps, plus plenty of handholds. Most of the exterior is finished in teak decking as standard.
The flybridge is uncluttered, and the high coamings mean you feel tucked safely out of harm’s way. The mast hinges down to reduce air draught.

stern
A transom gate gives access from the bathing platform to the decks, and to the aft cabin, via a hatch in the quarterdeck.

foredeck
This is mini-ship style, with large bitts and enclosed fairleads. A freshwater wash-down hose is incorporated in the locker.

side decks
The raised gunwales are topped with teak, and 12in (30cm) midships bitts.

Engineroom

There are two ways into the engineroom. Lifting out a hatch in the saloon sole allows you to drop straight down onto the treadplate between the engines. Or flicking a switch to raise the stairwell that leads to the galley reveals a dogged door in the compartment’s forward bulkhead.
This latter approach also gives access to a ‘glory hole’ which houses the Eberspächer heater and waste tank as well as providing useful storage for engine spares and tools.

Either way, all the main check points and service items are easy to get at, not least the primary fuel filters and transparent-topped raw-water strainers to the front of the bay. Items located outboard of the engines, such as one or two of the filters, are a good 12in (30cm) or so clear of the wing fuel tanks, making them quite accessible.

The generator is located against the aft bulkhead, but is just high enough to leave reasonable access to the shaft logs beneath it.

The engineering appears to go by the book, to a high standard, and with a good ‘loaded’ insulation fitted to all surfaces. The yard have also built in some useful extras such as drain plugs to the drip trays, and a handy freshwater tap.

Sea Ranger 448 data

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