Japonica Yacht

I was instructed to Survey this old 1950’s Broads Yacht yesterday. The owner had already bought the boat and needed a Condition Report for insurance.

Martham Boats have the perfect hoist for lifting out wooden boats... safe, quick and easy..

With accommodation for 4, the Japonica is ideal for mixed parties. They have 4 single berths, two burner cooker with grill and oven and a separate toilet with wash basin.

Surveyors comments:

Good old boats the Japonica's, fine on a reach and running, but not to clever when beating, they don't point particularly high. To get the best out of the them, make sure the jib luff is nice and tight and the mainsail setting well. Don't oversheet, ease the mainsheet, gaffers like to be sailed full and bye.

　

Book a Japonica Yacht for your Holiday! Click...

Duchess 9m Motor Boat

This was an interesting Motor Boat I surveyed today. This is the first time I have seen one of these up close.
The Duchess craft were a development between Boating scene of Basildon and L H Jones and son of St. Ives. The boat was designed based on the Seamaster 820 mouldings which were provided by Viking boats. The idea was to produce an easily handling low powered cruiser for river use. About 10 of these boats were built.

　

Surveyors comments: The semi displacement hull has a tall free board hull offering large internal volume. Jones & Sons have a good reputation and I was very impressed with the fit out.

Some Osmosis blistering is common on the older (1980) Seamaster or Vicking hulls. The level of blistering I normally see is considered relatively typical for a vessel of this age used in a freshwater environment and commensurate with other craft of this class that I have previously Surveyed. No remedial action is usually neccessary.....

Take a look at this link for full specs:  http://www.jonesboatyard.co.uk/documents/Duchess-9m.pdf

Hunter Horizon 273

I was really impressed with this small Yacht I surveyed today. A modern small cruiser from British Hunter, with fractional rig and self-tacking jib for easy handling. She has accommodation for up to 5, including a small double berth aft.

Between 1988 and 1995, about 200 were built, with minor differences and name changes, from Hunter 27 to 272 and 273. The boat Surveyed is a Horizon 273 twin keel, built by Hunters in 1994. Some boats were built as a 'sailaway kit', and completed and launched by the first owners. Hunter 'sailaway kits' had all structural work completed by the factory - as the name implies the boats supplied in this fashion were ready to sail. Owner completion was restricted to fitting internal trim and fittings, and we generally find very little difference between 'factory finished' and 'home finished' British Hunters.

Surveyors comments: Regularly check the rigging for tensioning and the lock nuts or pins for safetying. The first inspection should be performed after a few days at sea in various weathers. Secure, lubricate and check the bottle screws for tensioning: if the rigging is loose, the chain plate friction may generate wear. Never lubricate bottle screws with silicon grease: use tallow, graphite grease or other. Change all shrouds or stays exhibiting kinks, severed wires or other defects. Regularly check the chain plates and stays for condition. 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

Alphacraft 42

I took a trip to Royalls & Sons in Wroxham today to Survey their Alphacraft 42, 'Royal Continental'. The longest version of this design still with only the aft cabin lengthened. It is normally outfitted as a six/seven berth, but they do get as high as nine berth (and there is one luxury class at only four berth). There is a lot of scope for variety in the internal layout. Production years were: 1986-94.

Royalls are a small family run business established since 1950, situated in the heart of the Norfolk Broads at Hoveton/Wroxham. They have been providing visitors to the Norfolk Broads, first class holidays for over 50 years! They combine a reputation for boats of high standard and quality. All of their boats are fitted out to the highest standard, with top quality equipment and immaculate presentation. They hire boats between March and mid-November.

The guys at Royalls winching her back towards the water for relaunching...

Even a bath!!