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. 

Seamaster 8m

I had a Survey to carry out about 5 minutes from home today. The perfect Monday job!

They are popular Cruisers on the Broads these Seamaster 8m’s. This one was for sale at Sutton Boat Yard just near Stalham on the Northern Broads. A good one comes in around 15K.

If you want your boat pulling out quickly... give the guys at Sutton Staithe a shout... excellent for the smaller craft

The Seamaster 8 metre was first built in 1970, last built in 1980. Builders Seamaster Ltd turned out 115 boats of this model, one of their extensive range of 20 to 30ft Cruisers.

Breaking with convention, the boat has its main living area, with galley and dinette, and the aft cabin. The dinette can be converted into a double berth (that much is conventional), and then there are two separate single berths in the forward cabin, ahead of the toilet compartment and a large wardrobe. In between the cabin, the helm position is a amidships cockpit, open but with a canopy that can gives shelter or with the side panels in place, can enclose the area completely.

The shallow to medium vee hull has a long, shallow keel, making the boat suitable for inland or coastal cruising. The single versions should really be just used inland.

Powered by single or twin BMC, Ford or Perkins. This one had the Perky 4108 Taxi engine about 40HP. The boat is capable of about 12 knots with a Ford 50HP.

Surveyors comments: Ideal Norfolk Broads Boat and excellent value for all the room you get. It will be very difficult to find one without some sort of osmosis blistering on the bottom. Unless the blisters are widely spread or large and numerous, no remedial action is usually necessary.

Its often worth testing the window seals with a hose pipe. On the older models the window sealant has probably hardened. To stop 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? Call Insight Marine Surveys Ltd. 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