LEGO® Friends Sea Rescue sets review & MOC: 41734, 41736, 41752

Earlier this year the environmentally conscious Heartlake City received a revamped sea rescue sub-theme in the form of LEGO® Friends sets 41734 Sea Rescue Boat, 41736 Sea Rescue Center and 41752 Sea Rescue Plane. Today I'll be taking a look at the noteworthy parts and builds of all three sets before attempting an alternate build using their combined inventories.

 

Products in this article were gifted by The LEGO Group; the author's opinions are their own.
LEGO® Friends 41734 Sea Rescue Boat
US$79.99/ £74.99/ 84.99€/ AU$139.99
717 parts
June 2023

LEGO® Friends 41736 Sea Rescue Center
US$49.99/ £44.99/ 49.99€/ AU$84.99
376 parts
June 2023

LEGO® Friends 41752 Sea Rescue Plane
US$19.99/ £17.99/ 19.99€/ AU$34.99
203 parts
June 2023

Please consider using our affiliate links, we may get a small commission if you purchase: Sea Rescue sets 41734, 41736 and 41752 on LEGO.com

41752 Sea Rescue Aircraft recolours

We start strong with a trio of exclusive recolours, the most exciting for me being the 4 3x3x3 elliptic paraboloid cones with internal axle hole in Orange (6441084 | 1744). They first appeared in Tan (6399977) as spines on the 71411 The Mighty Bowser. For more on this piece check out Kev’s part analysis here. I'm sure aircraft builders are still itching to get them in grayscale but for now I'm loving their look in orange.

The teal recolours aren't as significant but are still nice to get:

• 1x Brick Round 4 x 4 Dome Top with Round 2 x 2 Recessed, 4 Studs in Dark Turquoise (6442917 | 79850) 
• 1x Tail Shuttle in Dark Turquoise (6442912 | 6239)
  

The seaplane also includes these lesser-seen elements:

• 1x Equipment Oar / Paddle End in Magenta (6420220 | 31990) 1 other set, 10313 Wildflower Bouquet plus 40607 Summer Fun VIP Add-On Pack
• 4x Brick Special 1 x 4 with 4 Studs on One Side in Sand Green (6423405 | 30414) New for 2023, 2 other sets
• 4x Slope Curved 2 x 2 x 2/3 in Vibrant Yellow (6380125 | 15068) 3 other sets
• 2x Tile 45° Cut 2 x 2 in Vibrant Yellow (6425975 | 35787) 3 other sets
• 1x Plant, Fern 2 x 3 x 2 in Green (6411022 | 2682) 6 other sets
• 2x Hair Small Tuft in Dark Turquoise (6434882 | 68212) 5 other 2023 sets

Two Mini-dolls are included along with the set's animal in distress, a white whale:

• 1x Animal, Whale with Light Bluish Grey Eyes print in White (6435010 | 103317) Exclusive

Zac

• 1x Mini-doll Torso Boy with Reddish Brown Arms and Hands with Yellow/Dark Turquoise Wetsuit, Coral Zipper print in Reddish Brown (6445170 | 73161) Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Hips and Cargo Pants with Reddish Brown Legs, Dark Blue/Sand Blue Shoes print [Thin Hinge] in White (6428259 | 2268) 2 other sets

Dia

• 1x Hair Mid-Length Wavy with Centre Part in Bright Light Yellow (4652807 | 90396) Also appears in 41737 Beach Amusement Park, last seen in 2012, Series 6 CMF Intergalactic Girl
• 1x Mini-doll, Head, NO. 392 in Nougat (6435007 | 103314) New for 2023, Also appears in 41737 Beach Amusement Park
• 1x Mini-doll Torso Girl with Coral/Yellow Shirt, Dark Blue Whale print, Nougat Arms and Hands in Nougat (6443990 | 73152) Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Hips and Trousers with Back Pockets with Nougat Feet, Dark Blue Sandals print in Bright Bluish Green/ Dark Turquoise (6452337 | 2277) - Exclusive

41736 Sea Rescue Center recolours

Although it's used sparingly in the completed rescue centre, Vibrant Yellow is represented well when it comes to noteworthy elements:

• 3x Bar 1 x 4 x 2 in Vibrant Yellow (6437484 | 6187) New recolour for 2023, 2 other sets
• 4x 27507 Tile 4 x 4 Curved, Macaroni in Vibrant Yellow (6390999 | 27507) 1 other set, 41708  Roller Disco Arcade
• 1x Slide Curved 180° in Vibrant Yellow (6418270 | 11267) 1 other set, 60375 Fire Station and Fire Truck
• 4x Tile 1 x 1 with Groove in Vibrant Yellow (6376232 | 3070) 2 other sets

These Orange elements are fairly uncommon too:

• 2x Brick Arch 1 x 6 x 2 - Thin Top in Orange (6337195 | 15254) 2 other sets
• 2x Brick Curved 2 x 1 with Inverted Cut-out in Orange (6431333 | 78666) 2 other sets
• 1x Wedge Curved 4 x 3 No Studs in Orange (6329309 | 64225) 3 other sets

Purples and pinks don't go unnoticed either:

• 2x Animal / Plant, Coral / Sea Weed in Magenta (6390725 | 49577) 2 other sets
• 1x Bar 1L with Clip [Cut Edges and One Side Hole] [Gap in Clip] in Lavender (6420920 | 48729b) 1 other set 10313 Wildflower Bouquet
• 1x Wedge Sloped Inverted 6 x 4 with 2 Stud Connections in Lavender (6438364 | 4856) Exclusive recolour
• 2x Plant, Flower Stem with Bar and 6 Stems in Medium Lilac/Dark Purple (6420217 | 19119) 2 other sets

Lastly these 1x2 curved slopes in Trans-Light Blue (6435020 | 3593) are new for 2023. A respectable 7 are included here.

Cuteness overload with some new animal moulds/prints:

• 1x Animal, Seahorse with Black Eyes, Orange Spots in Yellow (6435174 | 103420) Exclusive
• 1x Animal, Turtle with Brown Eyes and Olive Green/Dark Green Shell Print in Light Aqua (6435172 | 103418) Exclusive
• 2x Animal, Otter, Lying/Floating with Nougat Fur, Face print in Reddish Brown (6435171 | 103417) New for 2023, 1 other set, 30635 Beach Clean Up

The three mini-dolls have some interesting parts between them too. Let's examine each in turn.

Kayla

• 1x Hair Ponytail Long Straight with Tie in Dark Brown (6079102 | 17347) Only appearance since Dino Tracker series 12 CMF in 2014
• 1x Mini-doll, Head, NO. 381 in Medium Brown (6435164 | 103410) Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Torso Girl with White/Yellow Shirt, Dark Blue Whale print Medium Brown Arms and Hands in Medium Brown (6439992 | 73152) Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Hips and Trousers with Back Pockets with Medium Brown Feet, Dark Blue Sandals print in Yellow (6454577 | 2277) Exclusive

Autumn

• 1x Mini-doll Torso with Left Limb Reduction with Dark Turquoise Swimming Suit, Coral Zipper print, Light Nougat Arms and Hand in Light Nougat (6440009 | 100811) Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Hips and Trousers with Back Pockets with Light Nougat Feet print in Dark Turquoise (6440011 | 2277) New for 2023, 1 other set, 41734 Sea Rescue Boat

Leo

• 1x Mini-doll Torso Boy with Medium Nougat Arms and Hands with Yellow/Dark Turquoise Wetsuit, Coral Zipper print in Medium Nougat (6440058 | 73161) Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Hips and Cargo Pants with Medium Nougat Legs, Dark Blue Shoes print in Vibrant Coral (6422464 | 2268) 3 other 2023 sets

A 1x1 brick with sun cream bottle print is included too (6435173 | 103419). It's a new print for 2023 appearing in 2 other sets.

41734 Sea Rescue Boat recolours

Given the sub-theme's colour scheme it's not surprising the rescue boat also includes some vibrant yellow parts of interest:

• 6x Bar 1 x 4 x 2 in Vibrant Yellow (6437484 | 6187) New recolour for 2023, 2 other sets
• 1x Slide Curved Left 90° in Vibrant Yellow (6444119 | 28387) Exclusive
• 1x Slide Straight 4 x 6 x 6 in Vibrant Yellow (6444118 | 27976) Exclusive

The same goes for this selection of orange elements:

• 2x Bracket 1 x 1 - 1 x 1 in Orange (6403225 | 36841) 2 other sets
• 9x Brick Curved 2 x 4 x 1 1/3 with Curved Top in Orange (6075359 | 6081) First appearance since 2014, one other set, 60036 Arctic Base Camp
• 4x Hose, Ribbed 7mm D. 12L in Orange (6438770 | 100896) Exclusive
• 2x Slope Curved 10 x 2 x 2 with Curved End Left in Orange (6442376 | 77180) New for 2023, one other set, 60379 Deep-Sea Explorer Submarine
• 2x Slope Curved 10 x 2 x 2 with Curved End Right in Orange (6465816 | 77182) New for 2023, one other set, 60379 Deep-Sea Explorer Submarine

Even run of the mill parts like these are nice to see becoming more common in fan-favourite, teal:

• 1x Plate 1 x 10 in Dark Turquoise (6433414 | 4477) 3 other 2023 sets
• 1x Plate 1 x 12 in Dark Turquoise (6391345 | 60479) 3 other sets
• 2x 3028 Plate 6 x 12 in Dark Turquoise (6259774 | 3028) 3 other sets
• 4x Plate Special 1 x 4 with 2 Studs with Groove [New Underside] in Dark Turquoise (6250120 | 41740) Exclusive

There are some nice architectural lavender elements too:

• 2x Brick Arch 1 x 3 x 3 [Gothic] in Lavender (6056287 | 13965) One other set, 43196 Belle and the Beast's Castle
• 4x Brick Arch 1 x 5 x 4 Inverted in Lavender (6277130 | 30099) One other set, 75978 Diagon Alley
• 3x Plate 1 x 1 in Lavender (6099363 | 3024) One other set, 41735 Mobile Tiny House
• 2x Plate Special 1 x 4 with 2 Studs with Groove [New Underside] in Lavender (6405554 | 41740) 3 other sets

A pair of blue containers round off the recolours. This part is pretty good for subtle texturing so its nice to see it in some more shades.

• 1x Container Box 2 x 2 x 2 - Top Opening in Light Royal Blue/ Bright Light Blue (6383137 | 61780) 2 other sets
• 1x Container Box 2 x 2 x 2 - Top Opening in Dark Blue (6256612 | 61780) New for 2023, one other set, 41737 Beach Amusement Park

With numerous on-ship work stations, a respectable crew of four is included along with some cute dolphins to rescue or simply admire from afar:

• 2x Animal, Dolphin, Jumping with Bright Light Blue Spots print in Dark Blue (6435188 | 103432) Exclusive
• 1x Animal, Dolphin, Baby with Black Eyes in Light Aqua (6434965 | 103282) 1 other Summer 2023 set, 41725 Beach Buggy Fun

Aliya

• 1x Mini-doll Torso Girl with Medium Brown Arms and Hands, Dark Turquoise/Coral/Dark Blue/Yellow Jacket in Medium Brown (6443456 | 73141) New for 2023, One other set, 30635 Beach Clean Up
• 1x Mini-doll Hips and Trousers with Back Pockets with Medium Brown Feet, Dark Blue Sandals print in Vibrant Coral (6454578 | 2277) New for 2023, 1 other set, 30635 Beach Clean Up

Gunnar

• 1x Mini-doll, Head, NO. 391 in Light Nougat (6435179 | 103423) Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Torso Man with Light Nougat Hands, Yellow/Dark Azure Wetsuit, Dark Blue Trim , Coral Collar print in Light Nougat (6455625 | 73441) Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Hips and Trousers with Back Pockets with Light Nougat Feet print in Dark Turquoise (6440011 | 2277) New for 2023, 1 other set, 41736 Sea Rescue Center

Marco

• 1x Mini-doll, Head, NO. 390 in Warm Tan (6435187 | 103431) Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Torso Boy with Warm Tan Arms and Hands with Yellow/Dark Turquoise Wetsuit, Coral Zipper print in Warm Tan (6446253 | 73161) Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Hips and Trousers with Back Pockets with Warm Tan Feet, Dark Blue Sandals print in Dark Turquoise (6452339 | 2277) Exclusive

Nova

• 1x Mini-doll Torso Girl with Nougat Arms and Hands, Dark Turquoise/Coral/Dark Blue/Yellow Shirt in Nougat (6443879 | 73141) Exclusive
• 1x Mini-doll Hips and Shorts with Nougat Legs, Bright Light Yellow Sandals print in Spring Yellowish Green (6442279 | 36198) Exclusive

The set also includes the same 1x1 sun cream print we saw earlier.

The builds

There's a single sticker sheet per set. From left to right we have the sea rescue boat, centre and plane. The quantity on each sheet feels proportional to the size of the respective build. 

The sea plane has a great chunky look to it. Some will say they're inaccurate, but the preposterous size of the pontoons and wings only adds to the model's charm in my eyes. The terrain build is small yet effective, with something to rescue and some detritus to clean up.

The tail can hinge upwards to reveal a compact storage area and while its a bit cramped, two mini-dolls can squeeze into the open cockpit. A little more depth would've been nice here so the figures aren't quite as exposed. Overall though the plane is a fine toy that's reasonably priced with a fantastic colour scheme and some nuggets to please us parts monkeys.

The Sea Rescue Center is a little smaller than I expected but makes good use of all three levels with plenty to see and do on each. The absence of the stickers is more glaring here compared to the other sets in this wave; especially on the prominent otter signage. As ever with Friends sets though, the vibrant colour scheme goes along way in bolstering visual interest.

The removable and semi-interchangeable work stations are a nice touch, although not strictly necessary since there's ample access around the back. A more enclosed space would've been nice but I'm glad the parts went towards playable detail rather than more walls and windows.

With its brick-built double pontoons, the rescue boat had a more involved building experience than I expected - there's even a few D-snots buried in there! The result is a hefty vessel with a lot of details to explore inside and out. Note the transmitter dish matches the rescue centre's one which is a nice bit of continuity between sets.

The sub is a kooky looking build with just enough room to seat a single mini-doll. It can be picked up by the ship's crane or placed on the top deck.

Although a little cramped, there is an impressive density of detail inside. A multi-functional living/work/food prep area accounts for most of the interior but of course some space was reserved for a lavatory too. 

With its accessory and litter storage, the aft end is where most of the sea rescuing takes place. Round profile wheels on the underside mean the ship can move around without a hitch. All in all, the boat does feel a little bit small for the price. However, the level of detail softens the blow considerably. 

Alternate build

With the combined inventories of three incredibly vibrant sets at my disposal, I decided to make something I've been meaning to do for a while: a spaceship that pulls no punches with its colour scheme.  

Introducing The Kaleido - it may have no pilot, but it's got personality! The orange and white Porsche slopes just looked so good together on the boat so I kept that pairing going here. 

Using the boat's wheels as engines seemed like an obvious choice. The tricky thing was sourcing enough black to make them look somewhat convincing. Stacked Technic corner bricks from the boat and a pair of aircraft hulls from the sea plane proved to be the winning combo - with a few greebly bits thrown on for good measure.

As the shape evolved, it took on a butterfly-like appearance which seemed to compliment the amount of colours I was trying to juggle. 

Peeling back a few cosmetic layers reveals the ship's ramshackle frame. It uses most of the Technic bricks and connectors on offer to form the 'V' shape. Things then switch to plates attached diagonally to set the angle for the final 'X' silhouette.

Despite appearances, it's pretty sturdy with multiple reflected triangles in play for strength. To my own surprise, I can safely pick the ship up and swoosh it around just holding one of the Medium Azure / Vibrant Yellow sections.

Closing thoughts

If it wasn't clear already, the best thing about these sets in my eyes is the variety of colour. Beyond being great parts packs for wacky MOCs, the sets are great for play and are fun to assemble even if there isn't anything especially novel about the techniques used. 

My favourite of the bunch is the sea plane which accomplishes much of what the larger sets do just on a smaller scale - and it doesn't hurt it's got three exclusive colours too.

If you're getting one from LEGO.com, please consider using our affiliate links, we may get a small commission if you purchase: Sea Rescue sets 41734, 41736 and 41752 on LEGO.com

READ MORE: LEGO® Technic review: 42159 Yamaha MT‑10 SP

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