Grand Banks Refit Norfolk Broads 2014 The Haul Out.

Well, the 'Old Girls' out for painting the sides. Its been raining today so no sanding and its been a good time to take a really good look at the 'hidden bits'. Im convinced the planking's all original, the lengths are to exact ,and the butts are all to similar for them not to be. Reviews I read years ago on these Trawlers was correct. The bottoms rarely rot! Almost unheard off on a wooden boat this age!(1972).  Each was meticulously hand built of wood by Asian shipwrights. The hulls were planked with heavy, durable mahogany; the frames were of yacal, a tough tropical hardwood. As I found out last winter, the plywood deckhouse is vulnerable, however, the mahogany planking is virtually bulletproof. Seldom does a surveyor find decay in underwater planking, and when it does appear, it may be wood burn or electrolysis around a through-hull fitting and not true rot.

Here are my pics from last week. Weather permitting she should be out for 2/3 weeks.

Good Bones! 

Replacing the old Zincs for Mags. 

Westwood ST29

Well... its back to work and back in the real world after a glorious weekend on the boat basking in the sunshine. Its been perfect boating weather the last few weeks and works eased a little as everyone enjoys being out on the water.

Today's assignment was at Horning with Norfolk Yacht Agency Surveying this Westwood ST29 Motor Cruiser. Built on the Aquafibre hull, almost identical to the Broom 29 (Ocean). Different boatyards / companies often use the same hulls. This Andrew Wolstenhome design is very sort after and they hold good value. Westwood Marine are based in Doncaster as far as I know and she is a medium powered displacement cruiser designed mainly as a river boat but with the right engine has the capacity for estuary cruising. Produced in hard top or soft top format, she is ideal for the Broads as well as other river systems with a restricted air draught. 

The compact accommodation provides a double cabin forward as well as an occasional single berth in the saloon sofa. The roomy aft cockpit doubles up as living space with the provision of a good quality canopy.

The standard single engine for the 29 ST is a 35HP 4.150HE Nanni diesel, although larger engines up to 62HP are also possible. This example was a Cat C boat and had the 50HP 4.220HE diesel. 

Chris Cooper the Yacht Broker and Roger Hodds driving the crane getting prepared to lift her out for the inspection. 

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

Summers arrived

Moored outside Coldham Hall - our new local pub at Brundall. 'Destiny' in the background. 

Back up to Bramerton and the Waters Edge Restaurant 

Tara and her dream house! lol

The name boards finally arrived...

Must be one of the most picturesque stretches on the Broads at Woods End. Ideal for the big stuff...

Sun cream and vino.. it doesn't get a lot better! 

Tara feeding the chicks...

Sealine 390 Statesman

I had a great morning in the sunshine trialling this Sealine 390 Statesman today. Being sold by Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall. She has that distinctive Sealine styling and a unique aft cabin / aft cockpit combination. For a 1992 boat she is undated and the accommodation provides 8 berths, including a large master cabin. The unique aft cockpit / aft cabin design facilitates the inclusion of a capacious saloon for relaxed, enjoyable entertaining. Access to the flybridge is from the cockpit by the way of a safe and easy to use stairs, which together with the unique master cabin make the 390 a truly innovative and enviable, advanced flybridge cruiser in its day.

Check out the video of our Speed Exempt run at Brundall. 

Comments: Solid, strong and very seaworthy. 

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 

Rinker Fiesta Vee 270 for sale

I had the morning at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall yesterday surveying and trialing this USA sports cruiser before purchase.

The Fiesta Vee 270 is really 30’4” in length. She has a 9’1” beam and only 7,350 pounds dry weight, so you can tow her with some family vehicles designed to tow a pocket cruiser. She has a 100 gallon fuel tank for long cruises and can run up in shallow water with only 36” draft with the drive down and 22” with the drive up. You have 33 gallons of fresh water for cruising and a 27-gallon holding tank. Bridge clearance is 7’ without the arch and 9’2” with the arch.

She was a steady ride with smooth handling on the river trial due in part to her 18 degree deadrise and Rinker’s tried-and-true hull design. She will cruise along easily at 26mph at 3500 rpm, and could deliver a top speed of 35 mph at 4800 rpms. I’m guessing she will get you about 200 miles on a full tank of fuel.

Mark Suckling the Manger at NYA's Service Station washing her off. 

260HP Mercruiser petrol engine

I think this generator was fitted from new but was no longer in use. 

It should be noted that USA vessels brought into the UK after the 16th June, 1998 MUST comply with the RCD Directive. This was a 1999 boat. 

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 

Horsey Mere Open Regatta 2014

Had a fantastic weekend racing over at Horsey Broad. Great people and brilliant sailing despite the weather conditions. Big thanks to Churchy for organizing the event again.