Buying a Cruiser Class on the Norfolk Broads

I had a trip out to Crown Cruisers Yacht Station in Lowestoft today. I Surveyed this Broads Cruiser again built by Applegate’s on a Jack Powles hull back in 1932. In the 1930’s, the Applegate’s yard built a series of yachts, all of which were mahogany-planked and bright varnished, giving a distinctive appearance.

General advice: Opening Up Concealed areas within a hull are always a problem but, most wood vessels are constructed in such a way that enough access is available to make a fair assessment. It is usually possible to pull up floors (such as screwed in place plywood panels and the like) and remove enough panelling that one can get a fairly good glimpse of the bottom and lower sides. Carrying an electric screw gun is a must in order to do this quickly and effectively.

Thinking of buying a Broads Yacht.... drop me an email at steventruss1@aol.com I will be happy to chat....

Cleopatra 700 river cruiser

I had a very handy assignment today… just 5 minutes from home at Broads Edge Marina.

Broads Edge is a popular private marina, situated on the beautiful Norfolk Broads at Stalham, and offering mooring berths in a pretty and well-maintained grass site, close to a range of local amenities. These well-kept moorings offer boat owners first class, secure facilities and a friendly service.

The boat I was surveying today was a Cleopatra 23. Essex Yacht Builders of Wallasea Island on the Crouch launched the Cleopatra 23 in 1967. The boat was built in two versions. Blue Nile and Express Fisherman, the latter having a large cockpit and smaller cabin, and a hard top over the helm position.

In 1971 the boat was modified (one of the changes was the replacement of the rather vulnerable Perspex window around the front cabin with glass panels) and was renamed the Cleopatra 700.

Altogether about 400 23’s and 700s were built. The Fox 700, built by Fox of Ipswich was based on the same mouldings and sold in the same versions.

Hull shape is medium vee. Single or twin outdrive petrol engines were installed or commonly a 50HP Perkins diesel. This one has a BMC diesel engine fitted.

David the yard manager using the dumper truck to pull the boats out. They have a large new hoist nearly ready for use. They are also building new sheds, slipway and a large area for hard standing boats in the winter is being prepared... this is a huge site.

Surveyors comments: Because these craft are not that well known, they are excellent value for money. You can buy a diesel version for under £5000!

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

Corvette 320 Trawler Yacht

I Surveyed this ‘Little Ship’ today at Brooms Boats in Brundall… not as a great lover of fibre glass boats I was very impressed with the build quality of this classic cruiser.

This was a Trawler Yacht with a difference, the Corvette 32 is British built, has a most unusual hull shape (round bilge sections flanked by shallow vee flats out to the chine) and is fast! The boat was designed by Compton McGill and built initially by Corvette Marine, who produced about 30 between 1974 and 1977, when they went into liquidation. In 1984 the moulds were bought by a new company Corvette Cruisers in Nottingham who redesigned the interior and built another 70, this one included.. a 1988 model. New construction of the original Corvette 320 has ceased as of 2010. As many owners of the Corvette 320 have shown interest in trading up to a new 340.

Main features of the exterior are the very wide side decks… I felt like I was walking around one of my old Frigates!

Most of the original boats are powered by twin 106hp Volvo diesels. Top speeds of about 18 knots. Corvette cruisers fitted conventional drive engines, most common were 210HP Cummins diesels, however this one had 300HP Volvos which could give top speeds of about 25 knots + .

Surveyors comment:

Ideal for a cruising family with children or a couple with frequent guests, its two-stateroom, two-head accommodation plan provides a level of comfort and privacy found only on much larger boats. And while its traditional, salty good looks may have you thinking "trawler," it will surprise you with its 25+ knot, seakindly performance.

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

Regal 3560 American Sports Cruiser

I Surveyed this attractive Regal American Sports Cruiser today down at Brundall on the South Broads. Norfolk Yacht Agency owned the boat.

First impressions was she was highly styled, with an impressive bow, a radically raked stem, and a swept-back radar arch. Moreover, the detailing in the cockpit looked crisp.

Cat B boat for trips upto 500 miles off the coast.... this is no ordinary Sports Cruiser!

For engineroom access, the whole back deck lifts electrically, but in contrast to most boats the opening faces aft. This offers the advantage of keeping greasy mechanics, parts, and tools out of the cockpit! The aft opening hatch makes the engines more accessible, and the engine room is spacious and offers above-average access to all equipment.



On the 3560 all of the bed inserts have dedicated storage. In the main saloon, the settee seat lifts to reveal a permanently mounted extension. At bedtime, the whole thing hinges out in one piece with legs that fold down for support. In the morning, lift up the seat and flip it back under.

COCKPIT The bow is accessed through a hinged centre windshield panel, with steps moulded in next to the helm to make it an easy climb up to the windshield. To the left of the helm, the semi-circular settee offers plenty of storage beneath, including custom chocks for the dining table when it is not in use. This storage area can also be accessed from the cockpit. On the starboard side just aft of the helm, the wet bar features a sink with built in BBQ, Isotherm refrigerator, concealed tip-out bin, and a storage locker fitted with shelves and fiddles to organise items inside.

Clean gas automatic engineroom fire fighting..

The machinery spaces impressed me with an electronic lifting hatch, there is a convenient, aluminium-diamond-plate walkway between the engines, with steps on the aft end. Up forward, on either side of the inboard engine bearers, quality cranking batteries are secured in hold-down trays, white-painted floor panels, and the house battery, a big 8D, is contained inside a giant, plastic battery box on the port hand, with an easy-to-remove lid. To offset the weight of the 8D, the optional genset, a 7.3-kW Panda, was installed to starboard, inside a thick soundbox. Also a 60-amp Charles Industries battery charger on the forward firewall and a thorough job of glass-encapsulating the stringers and transversals that strengthen the 3560’s vinylester-resin-permeated hull.

Surveyors comments: I have to agree with the Broker on this one, I thought it was quite simply a stunning boat!!

Shetland 4 plus 2

I was back down at Woods Dyke in Horning this morning. The Yacht Broker was Norfolk Yacht Agency. This little cruiser the Shetland 4 plus 2, is a boat designed and built in Britain. A compact cruiser but with comfort and accommodation in mind. The 4 plus 2 has been in production for over 15 year and over 500 have been built. This boat is available both as a soft-top and hard-stop version; with a maximum engine rating of 90hp.

The Shetland 4 plus 2 is one of a range of cruisers compact in design but with comfort in mind. This boat offers inshore, estuary and river cruising, powered by either an inboard or outboard engine. Hard or soft top versions are available with a variety of optional extras which allows the customer to fully customise their boat.

For more information: The Broadway, Pakenham, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 2LZ, United Kingdom

Telephone: + 44 (0) 1359 235255 Fax: +44 (0) 1359 235251

www.shetlandboats.co.uk

shop@shetlandboats.co.uk

Surveyors comments: Due to the recent economic times these newer boats are built on a limited budget. The hulls are not laid up to the same high standard as the old Shetland 535, Kestrel and Black Hawk models of times gone by. With little boats like these, its all about the engine since it's by far the most expensive part on the 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

Broads Authority holds volunteering taster morning

The Broads Authority is looking to recruit new volunteers to help with a wide variety of tasks in and around the Broads area.

Current vacancies on offer include Yacht Station Volunteer (Great Yarmouth), Ranger Volunteer and Broads Authority Practical Volunteer. There are also work experience placements available. Full details can be found on the Volunteer Vacancies page, and more roles will be advertised as and when they become available.

The initial task will be looking to recruit volunteers to help out at Great Yarmouth yacht station, to assist the Ranger Teams and to provide general volunteering assistance out and about with maintenance teams undertaking habitat management tasks.

There is a taster/selection afternoon on Thursday 3 May, 2pm at How Hill, Ludham for anyone interested in practical volunteering. There will be the opportunity to try out practical tasks alongside existing volunteers and staff and an informal interview with Broads Authority staff. More information about Broads Authority Volunteer Vacancies.

Leisure 20 Yacht

Had an interesting day yesterday Surveying this little Leisure Yacht. We planned to lift her out at Moonfleet Marine in Stalham, but I quickly realised that this wasn’t going to happen without taking the rig down, so it was off to Wayford Bridge again where John the yard owner could 'haul' her out with the ‘Big Foot' with the mast stepped. Unfortunately on route the Yacht ran out of fuel so it was an SOS and a shout for Johns tug boat to bring her back to the yard…. Anyway… we finally completed the Survey and by lunch time everyone was happy!

Me in Johns tug boat! Interesting job Surveying...

With its long waterline and generous beam the Leisure 20 is a superbly balanced four-berth family cruiser that can be sailed just about anywhere in absolute safety and complete comfort. This bilge keel version is ideal for the Norfolk Broads. Designed for both serious offshore cruising and inshore pottering, it's the ideal trailer-sailer giving you a virtually unlimited choice of horizons. Under sail the Leisure 20 is extremely stable, vice-free and fast, performing well under all types of conditions. Under power it will cruise happily and economically with a 5 to 7 horsepower outboard, and is very manoeuvrable whether going ahead or astern.

Built in GRP for strength, rigidity and minimum maintenance, the '20' is surprisingly roomy for its size. I was amazed at how solidly this Yacht was built, nothing like the thinner ones these days. Fin and twin keels are of cast iron, the latter being of high aspect ratio hydrofoil section. The centreboard version has a galvanised mild steel plate, housed in a cast iron stub tube, rudder and skeg are moulded GRP with steel framework and stainless steel fittings. A teak rubbing strake is standard.

Moulded non slip areas on deck are designed to ensure safety. The cockpit is deep and wide, and features a outboard motor well in the stern, the cover providing an additional seat or table.

The accommodation includes four sensible size cushioned berths, a full galley and ample stowage space, and is finished in teak timbers and veneers. With two large coachroof windows on each side, and translucent forehatch it is particularly light and airy. Headroom is 1.62m in the cabin (1.14m sitting). A galley with cooker and sink is fitted on the starboard side.

The spars are in aluminium alloy. Originally gold, the spars of later boats are black or silver. All standing rigging and rigging screws are stainless steel. Halyards are internal.

The Leisure 20 hull was designed by a German designer (name not currently known) and the deck was designed by Brian Meerloo.

John at Wayford Bridge Marina hauling her out to check the bottom.

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

Falcon 23 SPC

I had a visit to Norfolk Yacht Agency in Horning today to Survey this Falcon Sportsboat.

Falcon 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. I believe they were associated with Easticks of Acle, but I cannot confirm this. Its another local Broads boat designed by Andrew Wolstenholme


The popular Falcon 23SPC has been relaunched as the flagship of the Quayline range. It is a 2 cabin/4 berth craft.

This boat has the Volvo AQ205A petrol engine with sterndrive probably good for about 20Knots

Surveyors comments generally: The hulls on these boats are built to a high standard out of good quality materials.. ive yet to see one with any Osmosis problems. The Petrol engine version is good value at around £15,000 for one in good order. The more popular Diesel version can cost up to £20,000 for a 1992 model.

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