Project 31 motor cruiser for Survey at Richardson's Boatyard

Hi had a trip over to Moonfleet Marine today to take a look at this Old Classic Cruiser! 

This craft was launched in 1966 and continued up to 1974. The boat is a large cockpit cruiser with an evolved hull design from a stretched Elysian 27. The cabin is open plan, but with a folding partition and curtains giving optional privacy to the V berths forward. The interior has 2 V berths to bow with a table dinette further aft. 

All craft were outdriven and a huge variation of engines fitted from single petrol to larger diesels. This example had the two 4108 diesel taxi engines with enfield drives. 

On a vessel of this age that has spent most of her life in freshwater, you are going to get some type of osmosis on the underbody. Experience has shown that early treatment of osmotic boats tends to be less successful than treatment of vessels with more advanced problems. While this may seem to contradict normal precautionary practice, it has been found that breakdown reactions in GRP laminates take some time to reach their conclusion; and if treatment is carried out prematurely it is much more difficult to remove reactive or hygroscopic compounds from the laminate, with the result that a recurrence of osmosis is much more likely to occur. The overriding factor must always be the integrity and safety of the hull. Osmosis in its early stages is very much a chemical condition, which has very little effect on hull strength. 

Perkins 4108 diesel: If it has been well maintained it should go well past 10,000 hrs, maybe double that. You will have to keep up proper maintance. Make sure your impeller, heat exchanger, anti siphon valve and exhaust mixing elbow are kept in good shape. Also make sure that your fuel tanks are clean and your fuel filters are changed regularly.Most diesels will run trouble free for thousands of hours given clean fuel, oil, and air.  

The boat is a round bilge hull design of semi displacement style.The boat has a large cockpit and open-backed wheelhouse. A settee in the cockpit can be pulled out to form an additional fair-weather berth. 

Finally a few days on my own boat!

It's been very active with boat sales this April, I think I've booked a survey most days so far. Norfolk Yacht Agency have been extremely busy and some of the smaller yacht brokers have also been finding new owners. The great weathers really helped, and I've finally got a chance to have couple of days on the river myself. The GB's looking good, with most jobs done for now, just a constant 'top up' with the Teak oil on the hand rails  ⚓️👍

Broom 38 Survey at Norfolk Yacht Agency

Today I was at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall Surveying this Broom 38. 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 propellers, gives good steering at slow speeds and has the added advantage of allowing the boat to take the ground in drying harbors.

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 Yanmar engines between 135HP and 265HP each. 

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.