Volunteering is a fantastic way to get involved with the work of the Broads Authority.

Many volunteers see it as a really satisfying way of giving time, skills and energy back to a place they treasure, thereby helping to keep it special for others now and in the future.

Volunteers are invaluable to us and we welcome interest from anyone who is over 18 with a love of the Broads who wants to help look after this part of the national park family.

Opportunities arise in all areas of work from administration to ranger duties. By getting involved you'll meet new people, learn new skills, discover hidden parts of the Broads and make a difference.

So whether you want to learn new skills, take a step towards paid employment or just have fun, take a look at our current volunteering opportunities.

The Broads Authority also offers opportunities for team-building challenges for corporate groups through our corporate volunteering scheme.

You may also like to view the Volunteer Action Plan Update 2013

Bourne 35 Broads Cruiser

I was back at Norfolk Yacht Agency today in Horning Surveying this Bourne 35 for a pre-purchase. She was designed by R.M. 'Rip' Martins in the early 1960's and built by a Nottingham firm called Bourne Plastics.

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 classic Broads Boat look. Check the hull (underbody) for any serious osmotic defects. This one had alreday been been treated. 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 on some models, they normally survey very well. An attractive Classic Broads Cruiser which hold their value.

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

Electric Launch

Today i was at Rollesby Broad on the Northern rivers inspecting this Launch built by Rupert Latham. 

This was a Valuation Survey. These types of inspections are performed to gather sufficient information to determine the fair market value of the boat. My Appraisal Valuation Inspection reports include a description of the boat and an assessment of its overall condition, including pictures. An Appraisal Valuation Inspection usually requires a couple of hours plus another hour to write up the report.

Built in 2010 and powered by an electric motor. 

Rupert has become one of the experts in this field of electric propulsion, and services the market for the provision of propulsion packages for other boatbuilders.  

Thinking of Buying a Boat on the Norfolk Broads 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 Crown 37

 I was at Brooms Boats this morning Surveying another Broom Crown, 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.

This example today was quite unique in that the internal helm was not included in the original build giving the saloon a lot more space. 

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

An interesting fact is when this model first came on the market by Broom in the late 70's they were - wait for it - only £12-13,000! A few years ago they were fetching up to £70,000. Last year (2014) boat prices slumped and if you look hard you can now buy an old basic Crown for £40K!

Later Crowns replaced the longstanding Perkins engines with 148hp Volva Penta TAMD40As or 158hp TAMD40Bs.

Surveyors comments: Just make sure she was actually built by Broom. There should be a builders plate with the build number. Telephone Brooms, I know Andrew Stone is still there until spring 2015. He will tell you the  history and confirm the build.

Although mainly early ones (early seventies) there are a surprising number that were Aquafibre mouldings fitted out by other yards.

However good the fit out it will never be worth market price if was not built by Broom.

Get a good engineer to check out the older Perkins 145's. They can consume vast amounts of oil at higher speeds, not noticed on the river, and they smoke profusely at river speeds. A good way to test is to briefly floor the throttles whilst underway (a few seconds is all it takes) having been dribbling along on the Norfolk Broads at river speeds for a while. It can be quite impressive (smoke!).

Nice solid boats. Wet but soft at sea. Lots of entertaining space.

Thinking of Buying a Boat on the Norfolk Broads 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 260 Sports Cruiser

I was working at the old Freshwater Cruisers yard today Surveying this American Sports Cruiser. Happy memories in this shed with Will and his Dad chatting about boats (as usual lol) over a cuppa. Wills now taken over his Dads business as Freshwater Marine and is busy with lots of work at his new office at NYA's service station. The old Broadland Boat Centre.

I've surveyed lots of these boats over the years. Not an ideal Broads boat i must admit with that 5 Litre V8, but these are popular boats for socialising and are exceptionally good value for the space and are becoming increasing good starter boats. This example just £13,000! When you're looking at family sport boats or express cruisers, sooner or later it all comes down to one word: Value. The older Rinker cruisers give you that sporty design and head-turning style, all at a price that makes sense. As the oldest American boat brand in continuous production, the Rinker Boat Company has quite a story to tell. From their humble beginnings out of Lossie Rinker's workshop on the White River in Indiana to today when they are exporting boats to more than 40 countries!

Norfolk Yacht Agency's third Service Shed at the old Freshwater Cruisers 

Thinking of Buying a Boat on the Norfolk Broads 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

Proud Lady Class Yacht

I had the morning at Eric Bishops Yard, Coxes Marine in Barton Turf Surveying this 1970’s Yacht for Insurance.  Built by Hebert Woods - the Proud Lady Class I think.

Photo courtesy of Sue Hines

When you want to insure a boat, or have to renew an existing policy, your insurance company will need an Insurance Survey in order to determine its insurability for the intended use. This type of survey is often referred to as a Condition and Valuation Survey.

The scope of an Insurance Survey approaches a Pre-Purchase Survey, but its focus is on structural integrity and safety and it is less detailed. An assessment of the boat's Fair Market Value is part of this type of survey. Insurance companies usually accept surveys made in the water without a haul-out or sea trial.

Your insurance company may have its own requirements for what it considers an acceptable survey and boat owners are advised to consult with their insurance broker before commissioning the survey.

An Insurance Survey requires several hours, depending on the complexity and condition of the boat. My survey report is similar to a report for a Pre-Purchase Survey, but somewhat less detailed.

Thinking of Insuring your Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at:  steventruss1@aol.com 

Maxum 2700 Sports Cruiser

Well its the first day back to work after Xmas and the start of 2015. It should be a good year for boat sales as all sounds stable in the economy and i guess wages should start to catch up this year helping the normal guy in the street looking for a starter boat.

Firstly my own boat, (Grand Banks 42 Classic). I've now finished my aft cabin (converting to a double) after some long hours on-board over Xmas.  I'm really chuffed with the results and think most wouldn't realise id changed the layout. I managed to get a perfect match for all the wood veneer, which has helped disguise any changes. I bought a memory foam mattress, and its really soft and comfortable to sleep on. Thats all the work on mine for now until spring when ill lift her out to do all the bright work.

The TV sits over a new unit which was part of the original single berth

The single berth on the port side is unchanged and can also now be used as a settee. The steps lead out onto the aft deck. 

I sourced the Teak veneer off Ebay! All the floors had to be cut. 

View from the saloon. 

Anyway on today's boat Survey, this Maxum American Sports Cruiser. Amazingly. Ive now inspected this boat four times! It just shows how owners love to change their boats!

Maxum come from the same stable as Bayliner. They are good boats, the 2700 is a classic 4 berth american sports boat, 4 good berth with a V in the front which also serves as your dining area and a mid berth under the cockpit separated usually by a curtain.

Maxum tend to use high gloss wood compared to the Bayliner, and are generally considered to be slightly higher quality, but this only really applies to the interiors, and now Bayliner have upped their game, they are pretty much on a par.

Powerd by this 330HP Mercruiser petrol engine. Expect about 11 gallons/hour at a speed of about 25 knots. 

Check that petrol is readily available in the areas you want to cruise in, it's plentiful on the south coast, but on the Norfolk Broads you may struggle.

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