Project 31

I was back down at Upton Dyke on the Norfolk Broads yesterday carrying out an Insurance Survey and a Boat Safety Examination on this Motor Cruiser. This is the boat that launched Marine Projects of Plymouth, now famous for their Princess range of motor cruisers. About 200 Project 31’s were built between 1966 and 1974, based on the popular Senior 31 hull and superstructure.

The boat usually has a large cockpit and open backed wheelhouse, this ones unusual, as it has a bolt on aft cabin!

The round-bilge hull form is capable of semi displacement speeds, up to 17 knots with, for instance, a pair of 75HP Volvo outdrives, or in a few cases about 20 Knots with two 130HP petrol engines. But most as this one is fitted with the less powerful 45HP Perkins diesels, giving a top speed of about 12 Knots… ideal for inland waters.

This was also at Upton yesterday.....My favouite Yacht on the Broads ZOE.

Dating from the turn of the century this is the only Victorian counter sterned Broads yacht in hire.

  

You can hire her for a holiday if you wish!

Broom 38

I was back in Brundall in Norfolk today Surveying this Broom Ocean 38 at Broadland Boat Centre.The 38 was designed by Andrew Wolstenholme to bridge the gap between Broom's Offshore and Coastal ranges, resurrecting the hugely successful semi-displacement Broom and Ocean 37s. Equally at home at sea or on the inland waterways the 38 incorporates a good size keel which protects the rudders and propellors, gives good steering at slow speeds and has the added advantage of allowing the boat to take the ground in drying harbours.

The wide beam allows for the usual spacious Broom aft cabin, with en suite toilet and separate shower stall, a raised deck lounge plus dinette at galley level. A compact forward V-berth provides comfortable accommodation for occasional guests, with a second toilet adjacent. A sliding door to port provides access directly to the side decks.

The 38 was available with a single 135HP Perkins diesel for displacement speeds, but most boats were fitted with twin Volvo or Perkins engines between 135HP and 265HP each. (This example had twin Yanmar diesels 250HP).

The Ocean 38 was renamed the Broom 38CL towards the end of its life to strengthen the Broom branding and bring it in line with the rest of the Coastal range.

Broom 42 Motor Yacht

I was back at Brooms Boats in Brundall today Surveying this 42. A boat capable of both fast offshore and inland cruising. The design incorporates the dual aft steps from the cockpit, which proved popular on the 365 and 450, as well as modernistic frameless windows. Teak decking all round and on the bathing platform and transom steps.Internally the Motor Yacht concentrates on comfort for guests as well as owner, with a larger forward cabin with a dual purpose bunk which can be configured as twins or a double. The influence of Broom's in-house design team can be seen in the internal styling. In common with other recent models, this one favours Yanmar 6LY2 series diesel engines.

The guys preparing to paint back over the areas i scraped cleaned for inspection 

Brooms Marina is full of all types of models..... check out the Owners website...its for anyone who owns/part-owns any boat produced by C.J. Broom & Sons - young or old, large or small, sea-going or strictly non-tidal . . . and that applies equally to the boat or you!

Click for the Broom owners club