UK Marine Surveyor based in Preveza Greece.: August 2014

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Fairline Phantom 32

I've got three of these popular Classic Cruisers to Survey over the next few weeks. Although it doesn't look quite so radical as the original Fairline Fury, the Fairline 32 Phantom sports a similar, low profile flying bridge, well forward and recessed into the superstructure; again it’s the only helm resulting in a spacious and uncluttered interior. The boat was designed by John Bennett. Fairline launched the Phantom in 1974 and built 310 of them up to 1982.

Surveyors comments generally: One of the easiest and most forgotten forms of maintenance is routine inspection of fluid levels. Checking the engine and stern-drive lubricant levels regularly allow you to spot problems before they become disasters.
If a milky white liquid is found on the dipstick when checking the engine or stern drive lubricant, water is in the system. Investigate immediately.

These clever concepts essentially positions the cockpit above the cabins which gave extra cabin space plus an elevated helm position.

All craft were outdriven with a range of Volvo Petrols and diesel options. This example has the bigger Volvo 41A'S 200HP.

Tuesday 26 August 2014

Falcon Capriole 1020

I surveyed another one of these stylish looking Falcon Cruisers today down at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Horning. 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.

The Falcon 1020 is one of the last in the Falcon Cruisers line, a custom-built six berth cruiser. The three cabins - owner's stateroom, saloon/dinette providing double berth with galley and guest cabin aft. An electrically-powered retracting windscreen and removable canopy means 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.

Surveyors comments: These boats are well built and are always in short supply. I would have thought a good investment at this age, and easy to sell on if upgrading. Ideal for the Thames.

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

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Marine Surveyors Ireland. Hull Survey Steel Barge, Ireland

I was asked to carry out a Survey at Brundall Gardens Marina today. The instruction was to check the vessels CE Certification, Boat Safety Scheme Compliance, and to include a Structural Survey and Valuation for Insurance purpose.

This was a 'Part Built' Barge by Norwich Boat Company. (2011). Check out their website on Sailways: Northwich Boat Company

They are one of the largest canal boat retailers in the UK, with over 200 new boats sold to date!

She maybe up for sale shortly!

Great space, fitted out in light oak

Surveyors comments: It should be noted that all vessels built after the 16th June, 1998 MUST comply with the CE Directive. Vessels built before that date need not comply fully with the new CEN Standards where these differ technically from the EA/BW Unified Boat Safety Scheme provided that this presents no serious risk to life or property. Boats built or largely completed by the owner as in this case can be excluded from the scope of the RCD provided the craft is not sold within the EEA for a period of five years.

Tuesday 19 August 2014

Broom 32

Today's assignment was at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall Surveying this Broom 32 TSMY.

A popular and practical boat with the interior layout packed with ample accommodation into a modestly sized shell, with the double en-suite owners cabin aft, a forward twin berthed cabin with separate shower and toilet, and three further convertible berths in the saloon.

Asleep on the job again!

Normally fitted with a single engine for river use, bow thrusters were sometimes added to aid maneuverability, and in some cases, like this Southampton Show boat, twin Perkins 4108s were installed!

Surveyors comments on 'Older Broom Boats in General'

Older Broom models are well known to suffer from Wicking: Wicking is a defect seen below the waterline where the individual strands of the fibreglass mat behave like straws and draw water along their length, in doing so they swell in size and wicking will quite commonly be identified by a very slight raised pattern of the original matting visible on the gel coat. This ‘wicking’ is an indication that there is moisture in the resin, and is often a precursor to or accompanies blistering.

Common on nearly all old Brooms TSMY's that have not been treated and have their original gelcoats.

Treatment - my advise would be to do nothing. On an old, heavily built boat, this is a genuine option. If there are no blisters I would definitely do nothing even if a moisture meter shows very high readings. If there are blisters but they are small and not too many they are not likely to have any significant effect on the structural strength.

Thursday 14 August 2014

Haines 31

I spent the morning with Norfolk Yacht Agency Surveying a Haines 31 Motor Cruiser. Haines Marine are one of the most respected boatbuilding companies on the Norfolk Broads. The company has been rewarded with several Boating Media Awards for both the products and service. Including the prestigious " Outstanding Customer Service Award" from Motor Boats Monthly Magazine.

Here below you can see their brand new 32 Offshore about to be tested just outside my office. I wont go into any details, but she will be officially unveiled at the Southampton Boat Show in September! Unsurprisingly orders have already been taken from plan for this new model, meaning only a few early 2015 build slots are available!

This older 1999 model I was inspecting today was built on the Aquafibre hull. Many of these Aquafibre mouldings do the rounds one way or another and sometimes it's difficult to tell who's version is whos! Sheerline, Haines, Aquafibre plus I think Falcon with a Renaissance also used the hull moulding.

This boat has a bespoke window into the front cabin.

Stock Boat: The generator being rebuilt prior to hand over.

Surveyors comments: Brokerage boats are sold as seen and no warranty is given. However, if you buy one of Norfolk Yacht Agency's many stock boats, then they come with a 3 month warranty on the engine and gearbox, and on top of that their stock boats are often serviced, antifouled, polished and checked before the handover.

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Alpha 29

Norfolk Boat Sales in Wroxham was my destination today to Survey this Alpha 29. Alphacraft has over the years created a number of designs for Broadland cruisers each available in a variety of sizes and layouts.

A fixed cockpit and flying bridge give this boat a lot more space than the original Alpha 29.
Production Years were: 1986-92

Even a small bath!

Looking at the builders plate: Crown Cruisers and then a life in France!

Yes!

Surveyors comments: A 29ft boat with the space you would expect from a 35ft plus. Offering a huge aft cabin with an en-suite bathroom, a 'V' berth with a double conversion and an en-suite forward with a large saloon and galley.

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

Monday 11 August 2014

Broad Star Premiere Class

I had a trip to Richardson Boat Yard in Stalham on the North Broads today to take a look at this beautiful old Broads Cruiser. Built by Jack Powles in 1963, shes the same age as me!

Shes one of the Powles Star Premiere Class, with this hinged canopy with stern well access. In the 70s and early 80s, Jack Powles was one of the Country's major powerboat builders, alongside Brooms, but in the early 1990s they became JPC Ltd. and no longer actively built boats. However, Powles started building sailing craft early last century, following on with a number of classic wooden designs including the 'Star' and 'Foam' classes, before moving into GRP in the mid 1960s.

Many of the Powles fleet have dispersed to other waterways, but a few remain on the Broads.