Tribute to Broads legend Eric Edwards

Its very sad to report that Eric Edwards, the legendary marshman who cut the reed and sedge at How Hill National Nature Reserve for 45 years, has died after a short illness.

Eric, who would have been 72 next month, devoted his enthusiasm and skills to keeping Broads traditions alive and was one of only two reed cutters in the Broads to still use a scythe. Known for his trademark smock, hat and neckerchief, he was loved equally by the media and thousands of schoolchildren who heard his talks and demonstrations and were shown his personal collection of Victorian marsh tools and traps.

Two of his “students” included Margaret Thatcher and Prince Charles and he famously told the Iron Lady when she tried her hand at stacking reed that she was “doing it wrong.”

Eric, who was awarded an MBE in 2004 for services to the Broads, retired from the Broads Authority in 2007. Since then he has worked part-time for the How Hill Trust and was swinging his scythe only two weeks ago.

Although he was reportedly “very quiet” when he first came to work at How Hill, Eric, a former Norfolk County footballer, developed a talent for talking and became something of a media celebrity. He appeared in the Generation Game with Bruce Forsyth and Jim Davidson three times, was interviewed by Sir Harry Secombe on religious music show Highway, and appeared in The New Paul O’Grady Show, just a month before his retirement. Pictures of Eric can be found on cards, postcards and paintings depicting the Broads.

Dr Stephen Johnson, chairman of the Broads Authority, said: “Eric was an irreplaceable Broads character and an inspiration to thousands of children and visitors, always keen to impart his considerable knowledge of the area and the history of his trade. When he first joined the Authority as a marshman, Eric was reluctant when asked to give talks to visitors but everyone very quickly realized he had a real talent for it and he never looked back. He captivated people with his natural enthusiasm. He truly loved his job, the scenery and wildlife of the Broads and was never happier than when telling others about it. He was an ambassador for Norfolk reed, recommending the use of it and the sustainable management of the reedbeds whenever possible, even once persuading the BBC to change the storyline of the Archers in order to promote it. He was one of a kind.”

Carver 32 Motor Cruiser

I surveyed this lovely American built Carver 32 Motor Boat today at Brundall on the South Norfolk Broads. The ride down the river was very good. The hull is pretty flat aft, so using the trim tabs to drop the bow down was simple and the 200HP engines sounded great through large exhaust pipes.

Impressive hull on this boat, made with Knytex, a knitted fibreglass cloth that ensures maximum strength by creating a solid fibreglass bottom with no coring, it apparently helps eliminate the potential for structural damage from water penetration around through-hull fittings.

Surveyors comments:

Down sides: The bed sits high off the floor in the aft cabin because of fuel tank under it, so it's a bit of a climb. Engine room access is tight but workable. Over all a good boat, a stylish and practical cruiser offering good accommodation, and with the economic climate as it is at the moment you can find one for as little as 35K.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com

Percy Hunter Half Decker

My boats just about ready to launch... shes looking really smart for a lady of nearly 70 years!

Originally called Wannick and built by the Hunters boys Cyril and Stanley in 1949. The boys fancied her as a quick boat and they based thier design on the Flying 15.

Wannick is Ludham slang for Wommack where she was built on the Northern Broads. Ive now renamed her Hunter.

Are you thinking of buying a Half Decker? She will be up for sale at the end of the season 2012... make me a sensible offer and she could be yours!

She hasnt been in the river for 12 years so ive had her filled up with water for 3 days so she will 'take up'... seems to be as tight as a drum now which is amazing considering she has no caulking..

Notice her wider decks and smaller rig when she was first built

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com

Freeman 24 / 750

Another little Freeman Cruiser to Survey today. This one down at Brundall at Norfolk Yacht Agency’s Service Station. The guys are very busy this time of year, with lots of owners wanting their boats serviced ready for the start of the new season. Very professional bunch of guys at BBC.

The Freeman 24 superseded the Freeman 23. The boat has a very different hull, of medium vee configuration and considerably beamier than the 23’s. The superstructure is beamier too, its rakish lines in complete contrast to the soft curves of the 23. And you can drive the boat from a shelter of an open backed wheelhouse. John Freeman Marine built over 1000 Freeman 24’s from 1975 to 1984. From about 1980 they preferred to call the boat the Freeman 750. The boat is primarily a river cruiser but is capable of making estuarial and sheltered coastal passages in fair weather ( category C).

The interior layout is similar to a 23, with four berths in an open plan cabin in which the forward berths can be isolated by opening the hanging locker door across the boat.

Most 24’s are powered by single inboard engines, petrol watermotas from 30 to 63HP, or like this example a 50 / 55 HP Perkins diesel engine giving speeds of 9 to 10 knots. Two of the same push speeds up to 14 knots!

'Speedo' washing her off for inspection

Unusual this little boat… one careful owner.. Stern and bow thrusters

Mediterranean or Norfolk… no difference…

Interesting... a new battery powered Classic Thames Launch just turned up for some work... what happened to the old straight six ..what ever next!!

The guys at BBC were busy installing a new engine in this sports cruiser

Surveyors comments: Check the keel bolts if possible - lift up the floor boards in the main cabin and check for leaks. Window seal leaks on all older vessels... laminated chipboard bulkheads can prove difficult to repair.

For some reason Freemans very rarely had a bilge pump fitted.
What Makes for an Adequate System? This is a question I've been struggling with for years. Unfortunately, there are no pat answers because the criteria for an adequate pumping system depends on the style of the boat, not merely its size. Some types of boats are more vulnerable than others, like sport fishermen and open boats. In any case, for every type there is a basic minimum. The table below lists what I think that minimum is based on boat length.

Boat Length	No. Pumps	Total Capacity - GPH
16 - 20	2	2500
21 - 26	2	3000 - 3500
27 - 35	3	3500 - 4500
36 - 42	3	6000
43 - 49	3 - 4	8000
50 - 59	4 - 5	9000 - 10,000
60 - 60	4 - 5	10,000+

Osmosis! All older Freemans have a few blisters unless they have been recently epoxied.
Its good practice to take the boat out of the water over the winter period and store her in the dry, out of thus reduce the possibility of further osmotically induced gel coat blistering.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com

Birchwood 340 Crusader AC

This is the second Birchwood Crusader 340 I have Surveyed this year. They are a spacious family cruiser with loads of interior space. The 2 staterooms ensure that guests have their own private area and wide side decks guarantee safe passage for everyone on board. The versatility of the 340 means that it can provide both an exhilarating experience at sea or a relaxing cruise along the beautiful inland waterways of the Norfolk Broads. This one was a single engine version with a 190HP Yanmar diesel engine.

The Company has re-vamped itself recently combining classic Italian styling with traditional craftsmanship and state-of-the-art construction technologies, this company is trying to set new standards in the industry. Good solid boats... they always have been.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com

Freeman 27

I had a trip to Ely Marina in Cambridgeshire today to Survey this Freeman 27. These are an ideal boat for inland waters. With it's spacious living area and cockpit, it is ideal for longer holidays on the water. Freeman’s who were originally caravan builders built each boat individually, sometimes to owners particular specifications and the manufacturing process developed over time. Over 300 Freeman 27’s were built, the last one in 1984. This was an 1980 model with a new Vetus 42HP Diesel Motor.

Their identification plaque with year of build are normally in the fuse box.

Excellent hoist at Ely Marina

The old BMC taxi engine has been replaced with a lovely new Vetus Diesel.. take a look..

It was back in 1957 when John Freeman turned his hand to boat manufacturing, having produced fine caravans since pre-war days. Work stopped during the war but resumed in 1945. His mind turned to boats and the first 22ft Freeman Cruiser emerged in 1957. This was so successful that by 1960 caravan production had stopped and Mr Freeman moved to Wolvey where the business grew.

By the 1970's the factory was employing 125 people, building three 23ft and one 26ft cruiser each week and one Freeman 30 every 2/3 weeks. There were 4 or 5 factory lines at a time: It took 25 men to build a single boat. Some 6,000 boats were produced by the time John decided finally to retire, he now lives in France. As many people will know, the Freeman's are also farmers and the factory sat in a corner of their farmland. David Freeman decided not to follow into the boat business but has built up a considerable fish farm within the original premises. Incidentally, the last boat to be built was a Freeman 27 in October 1983.

The boats were first shown at Olympia as part of a Motor Show in 1958, this was prior to the advent of a 'Boat Show'. The quality of the wood work inside, the comfortable caravan style interior and the experience of GRP moulding that began with the caravans now revolutionised the boat market. This was the first time anyone could order a boat. Prior to this one had to find a naval architect to design your vessel and subsequently a builder to complete it. – Was Mr Freeman the 'Henry Ford' of the boat industry?

Woodwork is the 'hall-mark' of a Freeman; whole trees used to be purchased to ensure the continuity of colour and grain. Boards veneered from the same tree were used on an individual cruiser so that it matched perfectly. The boats were originally hand varnished, three coats in the factory before the cupboards were fitted in the boat and then two after. Later on a two pot spray system was used in the factory before the completed articles were placed in the boat.

Bert Freeman (Mr. Freeman's brother) retired before the factory closed, Peter Summers (factory manager) has gone his own way in private industry. Derick Waterfield (sales manager) has unfortunately passed away. The factory premises were divided into industrial units and have now been sold; so the factory has sadly gone for ever.


Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com

Acle Bridge Regatta 2012