We, my wife Elena and I, spent a lot of time deciding between the Sedan and the "standard" duck. I thought it would be fun to post what I think are the strong and weak points when comparing the two boats.

1. Both designs: Solid, seaworthy, sea-kindly, well built damn good cruising boats. A pretty good start really.

Open Ocean Work: Both would do just fine but you have to give the lead to the original as it is designed to handle end of the world weather better. For even just really bad weather down I can't imagine there would be a huge difference between the two. The Sedan might need to have slightly different storm tactics. Running on drogues with breaking seas would give it more trouble and there are more windows to protect. The aft cockpit could hold water but Bill expects it to drain quickly. If waves really started to break to the stern and this became a problem the Sedan would need to heave to or lie to a sea anchor while the original could continue on drogues. Interesting note here is that even the experts are split on what tactic is preferred. Depends a lot on the seas, location, boat and crew.

Coastal Cruising: Both would do nicely but I would give the edge to the Sedan. The sedan has more efficient dingy storage (Davits can be a real pain when moving around marinas with any frequency). I also personally also prefer a cockpit that is closer to the water for fishing, crabbing or just relaxing. The original accomplishes this to some degree with the in-hull swim step, though you are fairly separated from the rest of the boat. The Sedan has better access to this space and it is larger. You certainly get a better feel for your surroundings in the Sedan while working in the kitchen and at the same time hanging out with people who are in the same room. On the same note the original maintains privacy better by having more obstructed view.

Pilot-House--They both are very nice. The original is closer to the pivot point of the boat so would be a little more comfortable. I don't know if there really would be a big difference though as the Sedan is only about 3-4' farther forward. Both are social areas, larger in the original. For night work I prefer the Sedan as it separates the main eating area from the helm. I really prefer dark helm stations at night to not rely just on the electronics and I'm not a fan of eating by dim red night lighting. During the day they function in a similar fashion with the extra room in the original being a plus. The rear visibility is better in the original. For docking the sedan would have better visibility as it is a little farther forward and up a bit.

Engine Room: Not much of a competition here. I would give the nod to the original. The Sedan however does have a functional design and in the end is larger, just not taller.

Sail Capability: Who knows??? The sedan will have more windage.

Fly-Bridge: Easy edge to the Sedan. Because it is farther forward the balanced rig is not on the pilot-house so the fly-bridge is open. No sail, no lines no mast right in the middle.

Sailboater Conversion: For people coming from or expecting a sailboat. Edge to the original. The layout is very similar to sailboats in general, specifically center cockpit cruising designs.

Privacy on the Boat: Split decision for me here. The original keeps the two state-rooms far apart which is nice. But the Sedan keeps the sleeping areas completely separate from the rest of the boat. I still like having the dining room separate from the helm for night sailing.

Handling large groups: Slight edge to the Sedan, both are very good at this. The Sedan can handle more people, it functions as a larger boat (in terms of interior space due to more double decking)

Bathrooms: If you like more bathrooms than the original wins if you prefer the space is used for something else and one head is fine than the Sedan leads. I do hope that Bill can have the shower and bathroom separate so that both can be used at the same time, by different people.

Sleeping Berths: Split decision. They both are very good. The sedan has, apples to apples, 2 more berths. 10 versus 8. However, in general I doubt there will be more than 4 or 5 people on the boat. Both handle this number fine.

Watertight bulkheads: No real difference here. The sedan has one more but I can't imagine that really matters.

Better Looks: Now that is getting personal!! This is supposed to be a good natured post.

If it were just my wife and I and we were planning a lot of crossings we'd go with the original. Out of the box it is more rugged but properly prepared both boats will work fine. If I were planning high latitude work I would definitely go with the original. With mostly coastal work planed, Puget Sound and north, and kids we both prefer the Sedan. I believe it provides a better integration with water activities other than long crossings and will function noticeably better in this role, for us.

Hugh Palmer

Makes me wish that I had gone with a Sedan, but not available at the time, and now my hull work is just about done.
OTOH, I still like the Duck

Robert

Robert,

In the end the biggest difference between the two is style and layout.

Relative to other boats out there I'd love to have either one.


Hugh

My concern on the sedan is the forward stair. On the Seahorse 52 it's that spiral thing that, I think, in heavy weather might be a bit tricky to negoitate. On the other hand you aren't living in a hole (as my wife puts it).

Hi Hugh,

I have a Seahorse 52 and it is a great layout for enjoying and being close to the sea and dock. When trolling we have two rods mounted port and starboard just forward of the pilothouse so they can be seen easily. On hookup if we need to chase the fish, the angler moves to the bow, when the fish is close i spin the boat around and the angler moves up on to the saloon roof and then the aft end of the saloon roof. A standup harness is handy as is someone to help the angler keep balance needs be. The fish is gaffed from the cockpit. The BBQ is then started, beers are... :-)

I bought the boat by chance, second hand in Singapore and love it.

One comment the seating in the saloon of my boat does not allow you to look out of the port and starboard windows... if this is important to you you could consider raising the seating or using different windows.

Will you have walkways on the port and or starboard side of your saloon? If you do skip the walkways I would have a ladder from the cockpit to the saloon roof so you don't need to walk thru the saloon when you are wet, carrying ropes, etc.



Hi Jim,

I understand the concern about the spiral stairs. My boat does have solid handholds and non slip strips on the edge of each step. Only one mishap so far, a passanger with wet feet.


Hi Bill,

I am based in singapore and hope to visit your yard in the coming months. I would be interested in learning more about the 552 in sedan layout.


Cheers
John

John,

Thanks for the info.

The layout that Bill is building on Hull 1 does not have a side deck on the port side but does on starboard. To get to the upper deck from the cockpit you have to walk through the inside or up and around.

Bill was debating putting the ladder in, but with dingy storage aft on the upper deck it would have taken up too much space, in both the upper deck and cockpit.

I agree that the stairs will need a non-slip surface. Coming from sailboats having a stairway at all is a novelty. I'm used to hanging from the hatch entrance and dropping down bypassing the ladder entirely. The plus with the spriral staircase over the standard one is that you have a wall on both sides to lean against, not just a waist high railing. In the end it really should be fine.


Hugh

I visted Bill & Stella a year ago and I am very glad I did not made a decision on a boat immediately. At the time the 52 Glass was better suited to my needs; but I was overwhmelmed by the 462........thanks for the cruise Bill.

My plans are coastal cruising & I hope that I can join the ranks with the happy Sea Horse / Buhler owners with the new Sedan

Hugh, Bill;

I am planning a visit to Zuhai in October to check out the sedan. Could you post any pictures of the sedan as it is now? Thanks,
John Douglas

I should have some new photos next week to post.


Hugh

quote:

Originally posted by John Douglas:
Hugh, Bill;

I am planning a visit to Zuhai in October to check out the sedan. Could you post any pictures of the sedan as it is now? Thanks,
John Douglas

Hello all;

I have just returned from Zhuhai and was very impressed by the yard, the boats, and the people. I am now proud to say I have made the deposit on Sedan hull number 3. We liked the design and the workmanship on all the boats, and settled on the sedan for our needs in Hawaii first and the Northwest later.

Regards to all;
John Douglas