Thurne Regatta 2011

Shetland 4+2 Motor Boat

I was at Barnes of Brinkcraft in Wroxham today inspecting this Shetland Cruiser.

One of the most popular Family Cruisers ever built!

Here is some History.........

Shetland Boats was founded in 1968, starting at Threestokes Marina in London with a simple phone call. It soon grew and required more space and dedication so Shetland set up full production between two sites at Burnham on Crouch and Southminster; and this was then the start of the Shetland boats.

After rapidly outgrowing the two locations a new site was purchased in Stanton, Suffolk. Once settled in Stanton, Shetland grew ever more and was manufacturing and delivering up to 12 boats a day, up to 60 in one week.

Following an end to production in Stanton and change of ownership, Shetland moved to Redgrave in Norfolk. It continued to produce boats of a similar type but began to introduce new models such as the Shetland Sovereign and the Saker.

They also began to produce boats under a license agreement from a leading boat manufacture in Australia; known as Signature.

In 1992 Shetland then undertook a move to Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk and there returned to manufacture the smaller models in the range.

Then on 4th October 1997 the company saw a fresh start and Shetland once again relocated back to Stanton. With this move came James Reinman, the new Managing Director at the ripe age of 25.

In the years prior to owning Shetland Boats James grew and acquired his boating knowledge by becoming a young apprentice and working on the factory floor.

With this James learnt his invaluable knowledge of boat building.

After 5 years in Stanton, Shetland relocated just a short distance away in the village of Pakenham, where it has now secured its own 5 acre site.

With this increased space and the ability to store more boats Shetland successfully builds its largest model to date, the luxury Shetland 27. This was a change of direction for Shetland Boats from the days of large volume small boats.

Shetland’s main objective in 1968 was to produce safe and reliable family performance cruisers at no nonsense prices, this is still the objective today and Shetland stands by this belief. Shetland family cruisers have had a consistent appeal to thousands who enjoy life afloat as the only acceptable family pastime providing a rewarding alternative to pressures of daily work life.

Over the last 40 years few boat companies have been able to maintain the confidence of the boat buying public with the same success as Shetland Boats and with a Shetland in the family, the coasts and waterways of the UK and Europe are waiting to welcome you. With a Shetland you're only a trailer trip away.

 

One of the new hire boats at Barnes of Brinkcraft... just out of the mould

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

Falcon Capriole 1020

I surveyed this Falcon Cruiser today, its basically a mirror image of the Sheerline Capriole. Falcon Sportsboats started building boats in the early 1980s based in Brimbelow Road, Hoveton (Wroxham), moving to Griffin Lane Thorpe around 1991, where they continued to produce craft through the 1990s. A number of the designs are now produced by other builders, including Sheerline and Quayline.

Lifted out for inspection at Brundall.

The Falcon 1020 is one of the last in the Falcon Cruisers line, custom-built, six berth cruiser. The three cabins - owner's stateroom, saloon/dinette providing double berth with galley and guest cabin aft. A electrically-powered retracting windscreen and removable canopy mean that she has a low air draft for navigating the inland water ways. A spacious aft cockpit with helm and double helm seat has ample space. The forward stateroom features a central double berth with storage beneath and wardrobes to port and starboard. The aft cabin offers a twin or double berth layout.

Cruiser Class Yachts For Sale

With the Regatta season about to start...why not buy your own Cruiser Class Yacht!! The class consists of nearly 400 inland waterways sailing yachts, designed specifically and exclusively for cruising and racing the tidal system of lakes and rivers of Norfolk and North Suffolk. Of these river cruisers, more than 25 are over 100 years old, and over 150 were built before 1940. The Class is not however confined to a vintage and veteran boat collection. A large proportion of member craft were built in the past 20 years, and new class yachts are being launched each year.

There are 20 of these Classics up for sale on the Broads at the moment. Here is just a selection......

Click here to see the rest

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

THURNE MOUTH OPEN REGATTA 2011

Yes that’s right another TMOR just about upon us, and again they can assure you that they have ordered fine weather and good wind. This together with fantastic food, a bar for the entire weekend and three, yes three, bands (thanks to kind sponsors Boats 'n' Bits, and Norwich Screen Art) they are in for a fantastic weekend. So if you have not got your boat in the water yet get a move on as you will not want to miss TMOR 2011.

Ive been going to the Regatta every year.... exciting racing.... very friendly.....lovely old classic Yachts.... and a beer tent!!

But as usual to make it all work they coordinate all the fantastic efforts of the members and friends, so again it would be most helpful if you are intending to help (and there are many regular helpers), or if you are interested in helping in any way for the first time please get in touch with them so they can try and accommodate your preferences.

They are looking for assistance as follows:-

Wednesday 25 May (1200 – 1500ish), site clearance, which will be light gardening etc to make sure the area for the marquee is clear – usually a most sociable afternoon.

Thursday 26 May (1000 – 1700ish), moving all kit from shed to site and building and stocking the bar, there is a bit of humping involved here, so if you are coming and can bring a wheel barrow that would be helpful to move beer barrels.

Friday 27 May (1000 – 1700ish), final set-up involving putting up starting line flagpole, tent, river signs etc and everything else we had forgotten to do the preceding days – good news is that the bar opens in the evening!

Saturday 28 through to Monday 30 they will need help with;

• Working behind the bar (and you do not have to be able to count, we have calculators and easy lists of multiple costs).
• Selling teas and coffees.

• Safety Boat crews, (you will need a life jacket/buoyancy aid).
• Assistance on the line (could be putting up and down flags – which is easy as we have a list to follow), timekeeping, or just observing (and it is a good view of the racing),
• Assistance on Race control (taking entries and the fees).
• Many other numerous jobs to make it all work.

 They are also seeking;

• Cakes to sell over the weekend, so if your are a ‘cakebaker’ and fancy donating a cake to TMOR they will be pleased to accept your donation.

If you think that you can help in any way please do drop them an e-mail

Jimmy.james@ea-cc.org

Or call

07770 323 465

Thanks in anticipation of all your assistance

Jimmy James

Bar Open Friday evening. all day Saturday and Sunday, Monday until the close.
Friday evening:  Chilli  -  Glynn Howarth

Saturday evening:  Curry  -  Glynn Howarth

Sunday evening:   Hog Roast 

Breakfasts each morning
Filled rolls available throughout the day Saturday to Monday lunchtime

Tea and Cake available each afternoon
Live Music: Saturday The O'Fenders sponsored by Norwich Screen Arts

Sunday Quiet Stars followed by Hard Rain sponsored by Boats'n'Bits

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Programme
N.B. Split starts will be employed where necessary in races open to River Cruisers and  YBODs

Saturday, 28th May 2011        Race Officer: Graham Trimmer

14:00      River Cruiser Class       Trophy:  Lady Caroline Cup     Current Holder: Hilary Franzen, Martlet14:30      Allcomers A (1st of 3 races, 2 to count)        Trophy:  Grapes Cup     Current Holder: B.Simpson, Disgrace14:35      Allcomers B (1st of 3 races, 2 to count)      Trophy:  Jeckells Cup     Current Holder: Not contested in 201015:00      Yare & Bure One Design (1st of 3 races, 2 to count)        Trophy:  Tunbridge Cup     Current Holder: Patrick Richardsson, Vanessa16:00      Crew's Race (Entries by 15:00 please)      Trophy:  Dunkirk Trophy     Current Holder:  Not contested in 201016:15      Mixed One Designs
      Trophy:  Arrow Cup     Current Holder: Paul Carrington, Peacock

There will be a curry meal provided by Glynn Howarth available in the evening, followed by live entertainment by The O'Fenders in the marquee.

 10:00      Yare & Bure One Design (2nd of 3 race Tunbridge Cup, 2 to count)
10:15      Allcomers A (1st of 2 race series, both to count)
        Trophy:  Pritchard Trophy     Current Holder: Not contested in 201010:20      Allcomers B (1st of 2 race series, both to count)        Trophy:  Siren Trophy     Current Holder: Not contested in 201011:00      River Cruiser Class (1st of 2 races in Ames Cup series)
    (Also 3rd of 4 races in Frosty Cup series, 3 count, Races 1 & 2 held at Acle Regatta)

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        Trophies:   Ames Cup     Current Holder: Paul Stevens, Amaryllis
                    Frosty Cup     Current Holder: Paul Stevens, Amaryllis11:30      Combined Allcomers (excluding RCCs)        Trophy:  Whitbread Lacon Trophy     Current Holder: James Manners, Mystic Winds14:00      River Cruiser Class (2nd of 2 race Ames Cup series)
14:30      Yare & Bure One Design (3rd of 3 race Tunbridge Cup series, 2 to count)
14:45     Allcomers A (2nd of 2 race Pritchard Trophy series, both to count)14:50     Allcomers B (2nd of 2 race Siren Trophy series, both to count)15:45     Ladies Allcomers        Trophy: Eastwood Trophy     Current Holder: Not contested in 201015.50     Handicap for Local Boats (see Rule 19)
        Trophy:     Herbert Woods Memorial  Current Holder: Colin Little, Moss Rose

There will be a Hog Roast from 18:00 and evening entertainment for the party night in the marquee provided by Quiet Stars followed by Hard Rain

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Monday, 30th May, 2011  Race Officer: Horning Sailing Club
10:00      River Cruiser Class   
      Trophies: Ollerenshaw Cup (EACC membs.)Current holder: Not contested in 2010                   Perpetual Trophy (non-EACC)  Current holder: P. Dring, Marilyn-Ann             (Also 4th of 4 races in Frosty Cup series, 3 count, Races 1 & 2 held at Acle Regatta)11:00 Allcomers A (2nd of 3 race Grapes Cup series, 2 to count)
11:05 Allcomers B (2nd of 3 race Jeckells Cup series, 2 to count)
11:35 Yare & Bure One Design  (1st of 2 races, 2 to count)
        Trophy:     Berry Cup         Current Holder: M. Thwaites, Duke of Burgundy12:15 Briefing for Cruiser Passage Race in the marquee) entries by 11.00 please
13:00 Cruiser Passage Race (Open to any sailing cruiser)
        Trophies:   
     Cock of the Broads (1st on h/cap Current Holder: Colin Little, Moss Rose     Catriona Cup (1st RCC excl. Cock winner  Current Holder: Paul Stevens, Amaryllis
     Ladybird Trophy fastest passage   Current Holder:  Richard Parker, Starlight Lady
     Fantome Barometer - 1st pre 1950 RCC    Current Holder: Colin Little, Moss Rose     Heller Cup (1st non-RCC boat     Current Holder: Not contested in 201014:30 Allcomers A (3rd of 3 race Grapes Cup series, 2 to count)
14:35 Allcomers B (3rd of 3 race Jeckells Cup series, 2 to count)
14:40 Yare & Bure One Designs (2nd of 2 race Berry Cup series)
16:15 Prizegiving (Time approximate)

Please note that there may be changes to this schedule, so please use the TMOR programme given at the event for accurate times.

Sunday, 29th May 2011        Race Officer: Phil and Liz Ollier

Falcon 22 SPC

I spent the day at Brooms Boats Surveying this Falcon 22 Sports Cruiser. This was a petrol engine version with the single 167HP Volvo inboard.

The popular Falcon 22SPC has been relaunched as the flagship of the Quayline range. It is a 2 cabin/4 berth craft.

Falcon Sportsboats started building boats in the early 1980s based in Brimbelow Road, Hoveton (Wroxham), moving to Griffin Lane Thorpe around 1991, where they continued to produce craft through the 1990s.

A number of the designs are now produced by other builders, including Sheerline and Quayline. I believe they were associated with Easticks of Acle, but I cannot confirm this. Its another local boat designed by Andrew Wolstenholme.

E.C.Landamore of Wroxham built some gorgeous Broads Cruisers

This is my type of boat...... this one is up for sale in Brundall.

Built in 1963, powered by 2 x Nanni 3 cylinder diesel engines. With these new engines, tradition meets modern development in perfect harmony. She is a product of the era of the tall sided majestic looking wooden Broadland Motor Cruisers designed specifically for hire on the inland water ways. A beautiful classic wooden motor cruiser!

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

Who Needs A Holiday!!!!!

Students renovate workshop for boat restoration

It was a proud moment for students at Acle High School in the heart of the Broads, who for the last six months have turned their hands to renovating a tumble down shed to enable them to restore boats.
On Friday 13 May 30 boys and girls and their teachers celebrated the official opening of the workshop by two of the students involved in the twin projects. Sixteen-year-old Tom Barnes from Wickhampton, who spent 40 hours helping to rebuild the shed, and 12-year-old Daniel Rowe from Halvergate, representing the boat restoration crew, cut the ribbon.

The completion of the shed is a milestone in the school’s boat restoration project which is being financed with a £15,400 grant from the Broads Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund. The project was overseen by ASDAN tutor Jeremy Bryant who has taught the students the practical skills needed as part of a life skills and vocational alternative curriculum. “The students have all worked very hard for two terms, as well as at lunchtimes and after school,” said Mr Bryant. “Tom Barnes and Shane Haines came in over their October half-term holiday to help lay the concrete floor. They have learnt a lot of practical skills such as joinery, carpentry and team building. Now they not only have something to be proud of but we have somewhere we can work on the boats during the winter.” While the shed was being built 12 students have been learning boat building skills by restoring a dinghy and working on a wooden half-decker sailing boat lent by Ludham Bridge boat yard. Supervised by science teacher and sailor Ian Ayres and Technology Technician Jim Bondi they have replaced the floor of the 8ft clinker style dinghy with teak decking donated by Brooms Boats, fitted two stubb keels and recycled the old school tug of war rope into a rubbing strake.v “They have come up with some very good workmanship,” said Mr Bondi. For the future the school has a 22ft wooden Seagull boat bought on Ebay to work on as well as a Mirror dinghy. Several of the students said they had learnt team building and practical skills and the experience had whetted their appetite for boating. Fifteen-year-old Fiona Lee from Freethorpe had painted and put up featheredge boards, broken up pavement slabs and helped lay the shed’s concrete floor. “It has been a very good experience and it’s not something I am going to easily forget,” she said. “It will help my grades and it’s been fun at the same time. I’ve enjoyed learning and understanding how to build things.”

Broom Crown 37

A gorgeous Saturday morning in Brundall........ I was Surveying this Broom Crown 37 Motor Cruiser today......

Brooms produced 83 Crowns

This was an excellent example of this classic, she had been well designed and extremely well constructed. Her interior layout has been very well thought out and had many innovative ideas which helped make use of all the space. Brooms & Sons un-doubtably had some good craftsmen when building her. 

Successor to the successful Continental, the Broom Crown was based on the same hull, but had a restyled superstructure and a significant change to the layout.

Twin v-berths in the forward cabin remains, but the aft cabin enjoys a centreline double, whilst the settee in the saloon continues to provide an extra double berth. All boats continued to feature interior and exterior helms and sliding doors on both sides of the saloon giving access to the side decks.

Later Crowns replaced the longstanding Perkins engines with 148hp Volva Penta TAMD40As or 158hp TAMD40Bs. This one has the original 150HP Perkins HT6.3544'S.

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

Sealine S24

Todays job was at Broadland Boat Centre in Brundall Surveying this Sealine S24 Sports Cruiser. Its worth checking out Sealines new website.... and looking at thier new generation of boats, the brand has never been stronger and provides great opportunities for growth in both traditional and new markets. They really are now building exceptional boats...

Sealine International

Lifting the boat for Survey at Broadland Boat Centre

SEALINE S24 2001- Volvo 170hp diesel, 4 berth, GPS, radar, fish finder, VHF. A clean well presented example of these attractive cruisers. Offers high performance with diesel economy.



The ‘Sealine Owners Club Spain’ (SOCS) third summer cruise July 2010.

If you are a Sealine boat owner, complete the form below to register your boat details with Sealine International Ltd. and in doing so you will be eligible to recieve regular updates about upcoming Sealine products, news, and events. 

REGISTER YOUR BOAT

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

Connoisseur 1230

I spent a day at Norfolk Yacht Agency today in Horning carrying out a Survey on this Connoisseur 1230.
Owned and hired out by the Funnel Group.

Since the early 1990s, Poter & Haylett have been known as Connoisseur Cruisers, named after their most successful classes.The Connoisseur 37 was first produced in 1979, followed in the early 1980s, by the longer 42ft version. The second pairing was produced during 1992 (for the 45ft version) and 1993 for this one ( the 40ft).

A low air draft gives access to the majority of the inland water ways.

All Connoisseurs are designed and built in Wroxham England, with over 40 years experience of both building and operating cruisers..... oooops watch your head!!!


 Good to see that connoisseur cruisers of wroxham are still building hire cruisers for european waterways, here are thier two latest builds........

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

Barnes of Brinkcraft Broads boat firm set for a fine summer season

Broads boat firm set for a fine summer season - Business - Eastern Daily Press

launching waxwing.mp4

Heigham Sound Broads Dredging Plans on Hold

The Broads Authority has been forced to delay plans to dredge Heigham Sound on the Upper Thurne after permission to dispose of the sediment on land next to Candle Dyke was withdrawn by the landowner. It had been planned to remove 12,000m3 of mud in Heigham Sound and restore the disposal site over the summer. However, those plans are now on hold until a new disposal site can be found. Heigham Sound urgently requires dredging to improve the water depth within the navigation channel. It has silted up to a depth of 90cms in places causing some sailing boats to go aground. Rob Rogers, the Broads Authority’s Head of Construction & Maintenance, said “We are disappointed that the landowner has changed his mind but we remain committed to maintaining the navigation channel and we are pursuing a number of different options to progress the dredging of this important area.” Maintenance work on the markers which define the channel will still go ahead as well as a small amount of dredging to ‘top-up’ the trial island created at Duck Broad last year. Officers will also continue progressing the consents and permissions required to extend the island with the aim of carrying out the work over the winter.

The island was created as an innovative method of dredging disposal. Its perimeter is formed from gabion baskets and the central void has been filled with sediment. Reed is already growing and it is hoped that, once established, it will start to replace reed marsh lost through erosion and provide shelter for overwintering wildfowl. The larger island which is planned would measure approximately one hectare and provide a significant site for sediment disposal. Despite fears that dredging in the area could cause an outbreak of Prymnesium parva algae, which can prove toxic to fish, the water quality has remained unaffected. Daily monitoring during the island’s construction phase revealed counts well below the trigger levels for any remedial action but regular assessment will continue. Carrying out future works over the winter will also help to reduce the risk.

Sparkman and Stevens

I surveyed this gorgeous Yacht today at Upton Dyke. This Classic was built by Tim Whelpton and fitted out by the International Boatbuilding Colledge in Lowestoft in the 80's.

Unusual with a 'drop down' centre plate.... for the shallows on the Broads maybe!

Beautiful joinery

I love working in the boat sheds at Anne’s Yard...they are full of classic wooden boats...im totally in my element. This is Half Decker Ringlet (number 45). They are unique to the Norfolk Broads. I have owned a few Half Deckers myself but never had the pleasure of owning the real thing ‘The White Boat’ built by famous Broads Builder Ernest Woods. The original design has been largely unaltered over a century and is a great tribute to the designer. The class has retained its appeal despite several attempts at modernisation. Here is one of Anne’s boys finishing off the varnish work before relaunch.
Below a White Boat under sail…. I must get myself a boat again!!!

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

Norman 266

Todays inspection was on a Norman 26 Motor Cruiser at Anglia Yacht Brokers in St Olaves, South Norfolk on the River waveny.

Norman Cruisers

The business started in Shaw Lancs, then moved to Isherwood Street in Heywood Lancs then back to a new site in Shaw. Other factories were added (Royton and Heywood) and the business expanded into manufacturing windows and windscreens for other customers under the name of North West Windows Ltd at the Heywood factory. They also made boat canopies, upholstery, tents etc under the name of North West Marine Trimmers Ltd at our Padiham - Lancashire factory. At the same factory they also made boat trailers (Speedmaster Trailers). At the height of the business 1971 -1973 the business employed around 200 people (approx 120 in boatbuilding). They employed around 70 glassfibre laminators of which around 30 were female. The most boats they built in a week was 25. This included all models 18.5, 20, 23, 32, they also built the Dejon 14 for a while and renamed it the Norman 14.

New models were introduced 24, 27 and 22 wide beam but the moulding shop was destroyed in a fire in 1982. This destroyed most of the moulds and the business never recovered. Some moulds were re-built and when the business finally ceased, these were sold and marketed under other names. Also some designs were copied and made into hybrids. They estimated that around 7000 Normans were built. In the 1970s around 65% of boats were exported. Principle markets (in order of Volume) were Holland, Germany, Norway, France, Sweden. Boats in Holland were imported by Internaut of Rotterdam and were sold under the name of "Inter". Hence the 20 was the Inter620. Norman Cruisers were in the top 3 largest pleasureboat builders in the UK. Westerley Yachts being the biggest.

Ross' Norfolk Broads River Trips

Ive known Ross for a good number of years now, he organises the Sailing Regatta at Hicking Broad every year close to where I live. Ross has lived in and sailed on the Norfolk Broads all his life. He has been guiding boat trips on the Broads for over ten years. Ross has an extensive knowledge of the Broadland flora & fauna and of the fascinating local history. When not guiding trips on Lady Ann or sailing on the Broads, Ross works as a Historical Interpreter in the medieval kitchens at Hampton Court Palace.

 

Discover the “hidden” Norfolk Broads...

Leaving from the staithe by Horsey Windpump, enjoy an informal all-weather wildlife tour in the comfort and safety of mv Lady Ann, a traditional wooden Broads built pleasure boat. Your friendly, experienced, local Broads guide knows just where to take you to see some of the unique flora and fauna that have made this part of Norfolk so famous.

Book a trip with Ross on Lady Anne

Princess 41

I was at Brundall Bay Marina carrying out a Pre-Purchase Survey on this Princess 41 Motor Yacht yesterday.

Marine Projects of Plymouth built the Princess 41, a stretched version of the Princess 37, from 1977 to 1982, when the boat was superseded by the 414, based on the deep-vee version of the 37 hull but with a modified superstructure and interior layout. The 414’s continued in production until 1987.

The standard layout for the 41 has eight berths in four separate cabins. The standard engine installation is twin 235HP Volvo diesels with a top speed of about 24 Knots.

There are so many boats in Brundall they are running out of moorings!!