Foster 35 Motor Cruiser

Today I was at Brundall Marine Surveying this Foster 35 Broads Cruiser. There is little history about these marques, but they first appeared on the Broads in the W.K.Barnes fleet, with wooden superstructures, later a number of GRP classes were also produced, many still around on the Broads.

According to Craigs site, 'Norfolk Broads Boats' there maybe a relationship between these classes and the two Thorpe based boatyards - Foster Marine (now Silverline), Classic Cruisers & Classic Leisure Cruisers - all these yards owned Foster or Classic hulls at one time or another.

This was a good example and had been completley stripped out and refitted to a high standard by a local boatbuilder.

A new rudder was fitted so the old skeg had been removed..

A real bonus! A 54HP 2.5 litre BMC diesel

It is inevitable that at some stage there will be gel chipping, scratches or damage to the gel coat. It is advisable to have them sealed and rectified as soon as possible. To effect the repairs its obviously necessary for the surfaces to be dry and at a reasonable temperature of, say, not less than 45 F.

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

Fairline Phantom 38

I went to Survey this Fairline Phantom 38 at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall on the Norfolk Broads today. Im not a great lover of plastic boats! But this Phantom is designed and built for cruising in the most luxurious of surroundings. It is a lot of boat, and there are a host of comforts included in the not inconsiderable price.

The twin 370hp Volvo diesels are the maximum power supplied for the Phantom 38, and these engines produce a performance that is just about ideal.

Construction and engineering quality are aspects not easily assessed at first glace, but the Fairline brand is held in high esteem in the UK and internationally. Certainly the 38-footer reflects a caring concern by the factory tradesmen for the attention to detail. I use to fit galleys out myself when I worked in Newzealand as a boatbuilder, the joinery and the measured gaps around the doors are perfect. It has the same quality of design as the Fairline Targa 48, so in no way is this smaller boat a poorer cousin.

The interior is fully lined with quality fabrics, carpets, cushions, curtains, suede upholstery and trims, all of which are complimented by a rich, deeply polished American Cherry timber used for the joinery and panelling.

The internal layout is quite traditional for a 38ft flybridge sedan. The main stateroom in the bow incorporates a double island berth, with more than adequate storage lockers, shelves and drawers to each side of the centre companionway entry.

The second cabin, located to starboard, has twin berth accommodation that tucks back in under the lower helm station. There is a good deal of space in this cabin, with ample headroom to move around, dress and to make up the beds.

Dual access is provided for the bathroom - direct off the main stateroom, as well as off the companion way. It has the usual facilities, all well appointed, and sufficient space for showering and towelling off.

The bowthruster is not essential as the boat manoeuvres quite easily with the twin diesels, but it certainly makes life very much easier if there is a strong cross wind or a brisk current when getting into a tight berth.

The boats top speed is in excess of 30 knots.

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

Broom Saxon 40

Interestin Survey today at Brooms Boats in Brundall, Norfolk.. a one off!!
Originally designed as a successor to the Admiral Class for the hire fleet, only one Saxon 40 was ever built and this is it. Since new the Broom family themselves used the boat every summer whilst taking part in regattas around the Broads. Reluctantly sold with the hire fleet in 2004, the Saxon 40 has undergone extensive improvement to bring her up to private boat standards.

The interior layout builds on the Broom 30 design, with a central wheelhouse equipped with folding windscreens for minimum air draught. Aft, a large living space incorporates the galley and saloon, whilst forward two cabins provide double and twin berths. With a third single cabin amidships, and the option to convert the saloon to a further twin or double berth, a maximum of seven can be accommodated on this versatile cruiser.

Based on a 40 foot Aquafibre hull and fitted with a single 55HP BMC engine, the Saxon is designed and optimised for Broads cruising.

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

Aquafibre Ocean 37

I had a trip up to Nottingham today too Newark Marina Surveying this Ocean 37.

Based on the same hull as the Broom 37 Continental this boat has a significantly different superstructure and changes in the interior layout. Outside, the decks run all round the boat at one level.

Inside, the forward cabin is larger, made possible by moving the galley, now 'corridor' in format, to one side of the saloon towards the stern. The layout of the aft cabin varies between two single berths each side or one double berth accessed from one side. In contrast to the Continental and Crowns, there are no side doors between the saloon and the side decks.

Aquafibre built 157 Ocean 37's between 1973 and 1983.

Most boats were fitted with twin 145hp turbo-charged Perkins 6.354 diesels like this example. Some were fitted with 175hp Perkins, giving a slightly higher top speed of 19Knots



Kingsley Farrington Boat Transport from the Norfolk Broads was also up here today.. busy time- moving boats across the country just before Easter..

Surveyors comments:
Older Brooms boats often suffer from window leaks! These leaks usually develop because the seal between the window frame and the fiberglass part of the boat has broken. The break in the seal can be so small that you can't even see it. This is because of the capillary effect, which draws water into the smallest of cracks and more or less acts as a water pump to keep bringing water in. Its also why water can enter at one point and be coming out somewhere else, perhaps two feet away from the source of the leak.

To stop the windows leaking you may have use a non-hardening caulking so that the caulking can move with the expansion. To deal with this problem, you may have to remove the frames, rebed them and refasten them less tightly than they were previously installed

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

Broads Authority Ranger nominated for National Award

The National Trust’s search for the UK’s green heroes shines its spotlight on Norfolk this month, as a panel of judges has selected Edgar Hoddy as a finalist in the Octavia Hill Awards.

Edgar, a Broads Authority Ranger based at Whitlingham Country Park and the Yare Valley, was chosen from over 160 nominations for the awards, run in partnership with BBC Countryfile Magazine.

The Awards are named after Octavia Hill, a Victorian social reformer and a founder of the National Trust who set the standard in campaigning for green places, and Edgar’s work with ex-young offenders impressed the judges in the Inspirational Hero category.

Fiona Reynolds, Director General at the National Trust and one of the award judges, said: "These awards show the spirit of Octavia Hill is well and truly alive. I was so impressed by the passion and commitment of the people nominated and it was a really hard decision to come up with the final shortlist.”

Adrian Vernon, Head of Ranger Services at the Broads Authority, said: “Edgar is a larger than life character and the Broads are in his blood. He has the ability to communicate in his soft Norfolk accent in such a way that people listen. He has been particularly successful in dealing with ex-young offenders and other difficult groups. His natural authority, patience and willingness to help the young people is immediately picked up by them and they quickly respond.

“A number of previous pupils have already returned and thanked him for how he helped them gain confidence that has lead to employment and a different path in life.”

The winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony in May, and you can vote for Edgar online here

Leisure 20 Yacht

Had an interesting day yesterday Surveying this little Leisure Yacht. We planned to lift her out at Moonfleet Marine in Stalham, but I quickly realised that this wasn’t going to happen without taking the rig down, so it was off to Wayford Bridge again where John the yard owner could 'haul' her out with the ‘Big Foot' with the mast stepped. Unfortunately on route the Yacht ran out of fuel so it was an SOS and a shout for Johns tug boat to bring her back to the yard…. Anyway… we finally completed the Survey and by lunch time everyone was happy!

Me in Johns tug boat! Interesting job Surveying...

With its long waterline and generous beam the Leisure 20 is a superbly balanced four-berth family cruiser that can be sailed just about anywhere in absolute safety and complete comfort. This bilge keel version is ideal for the Norfolk Broads. Designed for both serious offshore cruising and inshore pottering, it's the ideal trailer-sailer giving you a virtually unlimited choice of horizons. Under sail the Leisure 20 is extremely stable, vice-free and fast, performing well under all types of conditions. Under power it will cruise happily and economically with a 5 to 7 horsepower outboard, and is very manoeuvrable whether going ahead or astern.

Built in GRP for strength, rigidity and minimum maintenance, the '20' is surprisingly roomy for its size. I was amazed at how solidly this Yacht was built, nothing like the thinner ones these days. Fin and twin keels are of cast iron, the latter being of high aspect ratio hydrofoil section. The centreboard version has a galvanised mild steel plate, housed in a cast iron stub tube, rudder and skeg are moulded GRP with steel framework and stainless steel fittings. A teak rubbing strake is standard.

Moulded non slip areas on deck are designed to ensure safety. The cockpit is deep and wide, and features a outboard motor well in the stern, the cover providing an additional seat or table.

The accommodation includes four sensible size cushioned berths, a full galley and ample stowage space, and is finished in teak timbers and veneers. With two large coachroof windows on each side, and translucent forehatch it is particularly light and airy. Headroom is 1.62m in the cabin (1.14m sitting). A galley with cooker and sink is fitted on the starboard side.

The spars are in aluminium alloy. Originally gold, the spars of later boats are black or silver. All standing rigging and rigging screws are stainless steel. Halyards are internal.

The Leisure 20 hull was designed by a German designer (name not currently known) and the deck was designed by Brian Meerloo.

John at Wayford Bridge Marina hauling her out to check the bottom.

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

Seamaster 30 Motor Cruiser

Today I was at Wayford Bridge Marina Nr Stalham on the Northern Norfolk Broads Surveying this Seamaster 30 Motor Cruiser for Insurance purposes.

Seamaster, a famous name in motorboat building in the 1960s and 70’s, launched the Seamaster 30 at the 1970 London Boatshow, and produced 410 of the model up to 1981. The hull and superstructure moulds were held by Viking Mouldings, who occupied the old Seamaster premises in Great Dunmow, Essex..... Seamaster and Viking have now combined.

The boat sleeps six, with two berths in a forward cabin, two in the saloon and two in aft cabin. Helm position is in an open backed wheelhouse amidships.

Hull shape is shallow vee with a three quarter length shallow keel. Standard engine installation was a pair of 50HP Thornycroft diesels, but several others, all twins were also fitted, including Perkins.

This one makes an ideal Broads boat with a single 38HP BMC diesel.

Jon at Wayford Bridge Marina has the perfect hoist for lifting boats quickly

This boat is being refittied by Jon for the present owner... with new headlings, bulkheads, galley etc

Surveyors comments: A twin engine version can sell for £25 to £30,000. The single engine version probably more around the £20k mark.

On an Ex hire boat, one often finds small areas of stress cracks within the FRP around the gunwales and on some of the deck stanchions. Such cracks are often caused by light impact, or through limited fatigue of the gel coat, but do not usually effect the structural integrity of the structure.

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

Falcon 23 SPC

I had a visit to Norfolk Yacht Agency in Horning today to Survey this Falcon Sportsboat.

Falcon 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 Broads boat designed by Andrew Wolstenholme


The popular Falcon 23SPC has been relaunched as the flagship of the Quayline range. It is a 2 cabin/4 berth craft.

This boat has the Volvo AQ205A petrol engine with sterndrive probably good for about 20Knots

Surveyors comments generally: The hulls on these boats are built to a high standard out of good quality materials.. ive yet to see one with any Osmosis problems. The Petrol engine version is good value at around £15,000 for one in good order. The more popular Diesel version can cost up to £20,000 for a 1992 model.

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

Caribbean 42 River Cruiser

Today I took a trip to Catfield on the Northern Broads to take a look at this Caribbean 42 River Cruiser being refitted by ANH Yachting.
The Caribbean was the first of the F.B.Wilds GRP fleet. Launching onto the Norfolk Broads in 1966 this ground breaking new cruiser was to change hire boating forever.

It's 6 to 8 berth accommodation came complete with:
Aft mounted engine for quiet cruising.
Spacious saloon with double bed that could remain made up and simply folded upwards out of the way during the daytime.
Warm air central heating/power ventilation.
Galley with all facilities including electric fridge.
Spacious, deep forward well with moulded seating allowing for safe, comfortable and sociable cruising for all ages and ease of mooring/access.
Single floor level throughout, and ability to pass under all Broadland bridges at suitable tides.
Use of free standing furniture where possible - settees & berths and much of the fit-out was built around an aim towards home from home comfort, which was a pioneering concept at the time.



This one I inspected today for Insurance was totally 'stripped out' including the fibreglass floors which have now been replaced in Plywood. Every piece of equipment will now be fitted as new.

The Caribbean is easily recognisable from her Sister’s not only by their window arrangement but by a different rear design. The rear of the cabin side has a ‘fin’ sloping outwards. On her bigger & smaller Sister’s this is not present and is angled off. The rear profile around the door is also different as a result. Here are some images from the old Yard at Horning.

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