Cored hulls on boats



The risk of water entry into a cored bottom boat is obvious to most experienced boat owners. All it takes is for one improperly made screw hole to turn a boat bottom into mush. Take a look at the above photo that illustrates the results of what happens when water gets into a core. What you see there is the bottom chamber of the boat hull that was in the process of completely disintegrating. The reason is that once water gets into a core, a phenomenon called hydraulic erosion takes place. Due to the slamming and pounding of the hull bottom on the sea surface, water contained within a core will be compressed by the flexing laminate structure. Thus, the bottom literally becomes a diaphragm pump.

 

Bounty 34 Soverign

Yesterdays assignment was to Survey this Sovereign Sunbridge 34 for Pre Purchase.

The Sovereign range was one of the last designs by Bounty. The Sunbridge 34 version was built as both a dual helm model, featuring both external helm and a second located in the central saloon, and single helm models. The single helm had just the external helm, with folding canopy over. The galley and forward bathroom layouts changed as did the saloon layout which offered an even more sociable area with additional seating space.

Bounty Boats was formed by Mike Brister, and in 1968 was sold to Peter Brown. At the time the company was a small hirefleet of assorted craft, based at Brundall on the Norfolk Broads.

Sunbridge 34, Standard Dimensions:

Length: 34ft (10.39m)
Beam: 12ft 4‘ (3.77m)
Draft: 2ft 6‘ (0.76m)
Airdraft: 2.6m
Displacement: 6.6 tons

Marine Surveyor Norfolk Broads

Welcome to Insight Marine Surveys Ltd

I have been Surveying boats since 1995. By 2013 I have completed over 3000 surveys, which included 100's of types of sail and power boats. Being based in East Anglia on the Norfolk Broads in South East England I also specialise in Inland Cruisers, Ex Hire Boats and Classic Timber Motor Boats and Yachts.

I provide a range of Marine Surveys including Pre-Purchase Surveys, Hull Surveys, Systems Surveys, Sea Trials, Insurance Surveys, Valuation Reports, Boat Safety Scheme Examinations and Finance Surveys. 

 

http://www.insightmarinesurveyors.co.uk/

Battery cables - sizes

Even with boats with BSS certificates, I keep seeing small cables connected to batteries. Might be worth checking yours this winter!

CABLE (master switch in positive wire) MIN. SIZE
Master switch(1) to starter battery 25mm sq
Master switc...h(1) to starter solenoid 25mm sq
Starter battery to engine negative post 25mm sq
Engine negative post to alternator 10mm sq
Alternator to blocking diode 10mm sq
Blocking diode to batteries 10mm sq
Master switch(2) to service batteries 25mm sq
Master switch (2) to blocking diode 10mm sq
Master switch (2) to distribution box 10mm sq
Services negative post to service battery 10mm sq

 

 

Asking for trouble!

This shore power cable was live...

Batteries - gas- some thought required!  

Bourne 35 for sale

I was back in Brundall again today carrying out an Insurance Survey on this Classic Broads Cruiser. 

The Bourne 35 was designed by R.M. 'Rip' Martins in the early 1960's and built by a Nottingham firm called Bourne Plastics, after the work was turned down by Halmatic. The original order was for twelve hulls, six for R.Moores and six for Herbert Woods, the first hull being delivered in 1962. He then set up the name 'Griffin Craft' to market the hulls. Originally known as the Griffin 35, it soon became known as the Bourne 35.

She is up for sale!.... if anyone's interested please email me at steventruss1@aol.com 

Aquafibre also moulded the 35ft hull, originally designed by Rip Martins which became the basis of the Aquafibre 35, and a number of old Bourne 35s have been renovated by replacing the wooden superstructure with a modern Aquafibre 35 design.

Surveyors comments: I have Surveyed dozens of this ‘marc’ over the years. They are very popular for owners wanting that wooden boat look but with the simplicity of at fibreglass hull. Have someone qualified, either a surveyor or boat builder to check the wooden superstructure and decks thoroughly. You will find some rot! Check the hull (underbody) for any serious osmotic defects. The hulls are thick so there’s never normally a structural issue, but big blisters could de-value the boat and make her difficult to sell. Apart from the wooden superstructure they normally survey very well. An attractive Classic Broads Cruiser which hold their value. A very good one will fetch £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

 



 

Princess 32

I had the morning at Brundall Bay Marina on the South Broads today. This craft was a development of the Project 31 (which in turn is a stretched version of the Elysian 27) with a new, larger superstructure and a modified transom. This model was launched in 1969 and over 2000 were built from the until 1980. This was a 1975 model.



The semi-displacement speed of the boat is up to 20 plus knots. The boats interior allows 5 berths.
There were many engine options, all outdriven from single petrol to twin diesel. This one had the petrol's....

The layout is also similar to the Project 31 in having a large cockpit and open-backed wheelhouse and an interior that is basically open plan but with a folding partition to isolate the two V berths forward. Another berth can be found opposite the convertible dinette.
Princess 32 Typical Specifications

(Specifications may vary between boats)

• Length: 32ft 3ins/9.83m
• Year: 1969-1980
• Berths: 5
• Engine: Volvo petrol and diesel outdrive
• Beam: 10ft/3.04m
• Draught: 2ft 9ins/0.84m

Princess 32 More Information

Standing headroom in cabin is 6ft 3ins.
Length of V berth 6ft.

Useful Links

• Princess Boats
• Princess Owners Club
• Purchase Princess 32 & 32 Riviera Boat Test Reports

Princess 32 Documents & Original Brochures

• Princess 32
  

Latest on the Grand Banks Refurb!

Winters on the way so I've started looking for the rot!

Found some new down lights for the side decks... which should look great in the evenings....

I've had all the foam in the cushions replaced and repaired any damage…new back to the chair.. 

Also bought a huge roll of material for the headlinings..... the front cabins come out well. Saloon should be interesting!

Freeman 23

I had a visit to Wayfrod Bridge Marina yesterday to carry out a Survey on this popular little Cruiser for Pre- Purchase.

The Freeman 23 developed from the Freeman 22 Mk1 and 22 Mk2, with slightly squarer lines, particularly around the fore cabin. Notably there is no step in the deck, of the extra foot - 3" went into the toilet compartment allowing the loo to be mounted bow to stern. The remaining 9" went into the cockpit area for summer cruising.

The boats serial number is hidden in the fuse board.... gives a build date as well.

The boats were fitted with a number of engine options from new. This model could of been fitted with one of the following engines depending on the original order.


Example Engines: WaterMota Sea Wolf Crossflow (Standard) with J-Type Gearbox, Perkins 4.108......... this one had the Watermotor petrol inboard.

Surveyors comment: Always check the keel bolts for leaks. Pull the carpet up in the saloon and then pull up the long floor board to reveal the encapsulated bolt heads. This area should be 'bone dry'.

Sealine S38

Yesterdays assignment was at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall Surveying one of their stock boats. They usually offer a part-exchange facility on all purchases and their own stock boats are pre- inspected and prepared and are usually sold with a warranty.

A boat's electrical systems may not seem like the most exciting place to begin a description of a boat like the S38 but I think it's a great example of Sealine's philosophy of instinctive innovation. The lighting system is pretty amazing and the DC panel display was fascinating!

The accommodation is also well appointed with cabins that consist of a double forward and a cleverly designed amidships that can adapt to sleep up to three people. The dinette converts from sitting, to dining, to a large sun pad in one movement thanks to a slide-in stowage area within part of the seat base.

It should be noted that many S38’s suffered from stress cracks along the chines and spay rails, especially under the saloon settee which was a known week point. Sealine covered them all under warranty, and repairs were usually carried out by Desty marine as a subcontractor. There should be history to confirm the repairs held by the owner.

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