Narrow boat in Brundall

Todays assignment was to carry out an Insurance Survey and some Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements on this steel Narrowboat at Brooms Boats, on the South Broads. It is owned by a young couple who will be using it as a live aboard.

90 HP Gardner engine, a real classic diesel...

So you've decided to take the plunge and buy a boat to live on? Here's my advice on what to get and things to watch out for:

Narrowboats are a natural choice for many people living aboard. They are relatively inexpensive and can travel virtually anywhere inland (a 57ft long narrowboat is the largest inland craft that will fit down every waterway). The construction is usually steel which is robust and easy to maintain, although when the boat gets old it will need plates welding on which can be expensive. Most second hand narrowboats are suitable for living aboard, although the internal layout may need changing, especially if it was previously used as a hire boat (lots of bunks at the expense of living space). However, if you want a light, spacious feel then a narrowboat is not for you. They are only 6ft 10' wide and so even a full 70ft long narrowboat will still 'feel' small. The width makes it difficult to fit normal sofas and furnishings.

If you want a narrowboat that make best use of cabin space, go for a 'traditional' type. This has a minimal amount of deck space, so that only one person can stand at the back. This makes it hard to take guests out for a cruise because they have to stay inside or clamber onto the roof. However, a major plus is that most trad boats have the engine inside the rear cabin and so you can work on the engine without freezing your hands or getting soaked.

A 'cruiser' type narrowboat is one that has a large, open rear deck, perfect for taking guests out for a cruise but at the expense of cabin space. The engine will be below the deck and you'll have to work on it in the open.

A compromise is reached with 'semi trad' narrowboats. These look like a trad boat in profile but have a medium sized rear deck that can be covered with a large hatch or tarpaulin for keeping the weather out while you work on the engine.

A major disadvantage with narrowboats is that they are unsuitable for mooring on tidal berths where they take a grounding every day. You can beach a narrowboat if the ground is completely flat and soft, but if you beach on rocks, pebbles, rubbish or undulating ground then you run the risk of distorting or folding the hull. This plus the general unseaworthiness of narrowboats makes them unsuitable if you're thinking of mooring in an estuary or on the coast.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com

Broads Authority scoops £800000 for dredging the Broads

The Broads Authority has been awarded around £800,000 from the European Regional Development Fund to develop innovative dredging solutions for the management of the waterways.

The project, which is called PRISMA (Promoting Integrated Sediment Management) involves working with Dutch, Belgian and French partners and will help to deliver planned projects highlighted in the Authority’s Sediment Management Strategy.

John Packman, Chief Executive of the Broads Authority, said: “This successful bid is really welcome. At a time when we have had our National Park Grant cut by almost a third, this will enable us to deliver some good projects for the benefit of the Broads.”

Trudi Wakelin, Operations Director, said: “One of the biggest obstacles to dredging of the rivers and broads is the lack of available sites to dispose of the sediment.  We plan to use the fund to develop disposal opportunities across the Broads which will enable us to benefit areas which haven’t been dredged in recent years.

“This funding will enable us to work with three partners from Holland, Belgium and France comparing dredging techniques and learning from each other about how we reduce sediment coming into our waterways and sustainably remove it from them”.

Three of the key projects in the Broads are the extension of the island creation scheme in Duck Broad, rebuilding a bank at Salhouse Broad and building a new mud wherry.

Trudi Wakelin said: “We hope to start extending Duck Island next winter, subject to getting planning permission and Natural England’s consent. Our trial project this year to rebuild an area lost by erosion using gabion baskets and geotextile bags appears to have been very successful. This funding will help fund the construction of a larger island, again using dredged material from the channel leading into Hickling Broad called Heigham Sound.

“We are also planning to dredge the River Bure between Salhouse and Wroxham Broad using the sediment to reinstate a bank lost to erosion at the entrance to Salhouse Broad.

“Finally our old mud wherries, which are used to carry sediment to the disposal sites, were inherited from May Gurney and are rather old. This funding will help pay for the building of a new vessel, the first of its type in the Broads for many years.”

This is the second tranche of money the Broads Authority has received from Europe in recent times. In 2010 €500,000 were awarded from the Regional Development Fund to be spent on sustainable tourism projects as part of the STEP programme (Sustainable Tourism in Estuary Parks). This has helped fund a range of projects including the website www.enjoythebroads.com, touchscreen technology in visitor centres and this month’s very successful Outdoors Festival.

The other PRISMA European partners are Waterways and Seacanal in Belgium, Waterboard of Schieland and Krimpenerwaard in the Netherlands and Armines acting through Centre de Douai, France

Wooden Boat Fanatics!

I spent the morning at Johns in Weyford Bridge Marina carrying out a number of Boat Safety Inspections. I couldnt help notice the amount of old Wooden Broads Cruisers there in the yard.

Anyone fancy a winter project! .... im sure many are up for sale. (click the above link).

Norfolk Broads Cruiser

I was working at Martham Ferry today which is run by Mark King. Martham Ferry Boatyard is situated on the River Thurne overlooking the National Trust land on Heigham Holmes. In recent years the boatyard has been extensively improved by Mark including a new workshop, Hoilday Homes and Moorings.

Todays Survey was on the old wooden cruiser pictured below. She is a product of the era of the tall sided majestic looking wooden Broadland Motor Cruisers designed specifically for hire on the inland water ways.

She is undergoing a complete refit which will include a new engine. I will be acting as a Consultant during the refitting process which could take up to 2 years for completion.

Click for Martham Ferry Website

 One of the few remaining vehicle ferries on the Norfolk Broads. The ferry is hand operated and takes farm vehicles over the water.

Martham Ferry today and below back in the 60's...



Stripped out for Survey ready for remedial works to start...

 

Broads business awarded first Green Mark for boats

A Broads boat hire company is the first business in the country to be awarded a new Green Mark accreditation for eco-friendly boats.

Norfolk Broads Direct of Wroxham received the grading when the Green Tourism Business Scheme launched its Green Mark for holiday cruisers on Wednesday June 8th as part of Green Tourism Week (June 6-12) in partnership with Broads Tourism and the Broads Authority, which manages the Broads.

The award is based on 25 criteria specially developed for boats including eco-friendly design, energy efficiency, waste management and providing ‘green’ information for hirers.

Barbara Greasley of Norfolk Broads Direct said: “For some time a group of environmentally aware people in Norfolk has been campaigning for a greener option for boating.  The members of this Eco Boat Project in close partnership with Broads Tourism, the Broads Authority and the Green Tourism Business Scheme have been working to produce a set of grading criteria for Water Based Activity Providers. Norfolk Broads Direct is delighted to have been consulted on these criteria and we feel honoured that we will be the first business in the country to go through this grading process.  As chair of Broads Tourism I believe that hosting the official launch of the scheme and having the first green graded boats in the country will be a tremendous coup for the Broads.  Broads Tourism will certainly be promoting take-up of the scheme to all of our members.”

Bruce Hanson of the Broads Authority commented: “Sustainability is of great importance to the Broads as a destination and it is our aim to be seen as ‘green leaders’ in the tourism industry. The boating sector here generates at least £95m in revenue annually – accounting for almost a quarter of total tourism spend in the Broads. This Green Mark will allow us to highlight our ‘guaranteed green’ environmental credentials to the marketplace with confidence.”

The hire cruiser being assessed, Fair Sovereign, has a low wash hull and its engine meets the current EU Stage 3 emissions requirements.  Water is heated as a byproduct of the engine cooling and the majority of lighting is provided by LED bulbs. Norfolk Broads Direct sends customers information about the impact of phosphates on water quality prior to their arrival and advises them to use phosphate free toiletries and washing up liquid, as well as stocking some for purchase.

Andrea Nicholas, managing director of the Green Tourism Business Scheme added: ‘‘The environmental challenges faced by a boat operator differ from those faced by hotels and other tourism providers and the GTBS is keen to help the sector showcase its green-mindedness through these new bespoke criteria.’

The Green Mark scheme in the Broads has been funded with money from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the STEP Interreg Two Seas Programme which promotes sustainable tourism in estuarine parks.