Freeman 30

Todays assignment was Surveying this Freeman Motor Cruiser at Hippersons Boat Yard in Beccles. John Freeman Marine built about 100 Freeman 30,s from 1960 to 1969, this boat below was one of the last. The boat has the distinctive curved step in the deck line that was a feature of many of the early Freeman’s. The first 30’s were built with a wooden deck and superstructure, later examples like this one today were all GRP. There are two versions, one with a centre cockpit and aft cabin. The other just has the aft cockpit.

The boats primarily built for river use but is quite cable of fair weather passages in coastal waters.

Single and twin engines were fitted. In the early boats the common installation was a pair of 56HP Parsons Porbeagles diesels, which would give atop speed of 10Knots. Later boats like this example were fitted with 108HP Thorneycrofts which increased the speed to 13 Knots

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

One of the most popular Freeman's, a genuine classic. A versatile boat for estuary, sea and river.

Bure Classic River Cruiser

I was lucky enough to Survey this beauty today... a Bure Classic River Cruiser built by Colin Buttifant at Womack Broad, Norfolk. They are a family business, run by Colin  and his wife Wendy and my son Paul and they employ a small team of dedicated craftsmen who produce top quality work. He’s well renowned to be the best boat builder on the Broads.

The building of the 'Bure' and 'Womack' Classics

Although the 'Bure Classic' and the 'Womack Classic' form part of Colins hire fleet, both designs can be built to order, as this one was above in 2002. As of June 2004 there were nine 'Bure Classics' in private ownership with another four on the order books, whilst two 'Womack Classics' are in private ownership. I think a total of 17 Bure Classics are now in commission.

A few pictures showing construction methods.......

 

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

Broom Skipper

Todays assignment was an inspection on this Broom Skipper at wroxham. This one was'nt manufactured by Brooms, it was fitted out by another Yard (Norfolk Broads Yachting Company in Horning). The production built version shares the same round-bilged GRP hull as the Ocean 30, designed by Mr R.M. "Rip" Martins who was a naval architect, the Broom 30 is distinguished by its midships wheelhouse saloon, with sliding doors on both sides. The superstructure and interior were designed by Mr Martin Broom and four pre-1968 boats had a mahogany superstructure and teak-laid deck, after which time the construction was all GRP. Wooden uprights in the forward windscreen and wooden wheelhouse door frames were also phased out in later models. Most people are surprised by the spaciousness of the interior, which provides four single berths in two cabins, a wheelhouse/saloon with a convertible settee and sunroof, two bathrooms and a 'corridor' galley. Some boats have had a helm position retro-fitted to the aft cabin roof, behind the wheelhouse/saloon, increasing air draught to 9ft. The 'Skipper' variant of the Broom 30 was produced with a soft-top and hinge-down windscreen and sides to the wheelhouse/saloon to give an air draught suitable for the Upper Thames, the Broads and other cruising grounds with low bridges. On these models, the wheelhouse is smaller, with a larger saloon and galley aft.

As this was not an original version it had a BMC 1.5 diesel installed. Engines are mostly Perkins 4-cylinder diesels in the originals....ranging from 35 to 70hp in either single or twin configurations.  The difference in top speeds between these is only about 1 knot.

What to look for if wanting an original Brooms built skipper.... Bulkheads are always 'glassed in', Perkins 4108 engine, Gas locker sited above the Transom, Build number on a Brooms Plaque at the helm + number on back of the draws.

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

Fairline Phantom 32

Today’s assignment was in Horning at the old Woods Dyke Yard Surveying this Fairline Phantom… they don’t make them like this anymore!!

Although it doesn’t look quite so radical as the original Fairline Fury, the Fairline Phantom sports a similar low profile flying bridge, well forward and recessed into the superstructure; again it’s the only helm position, resulting in a spacious and uncluttered accommodation. And a gain the boat was designed by John Bennett. Fairline Boats launched the Phantom in 1974 and built 310 of them up to 1982. This one is a 79 model.

The accommodation is split into two cabins, the after one being the main dining area with a dinette, which converts into a double berth, and the galley. The forward cabin has another dinette-cum-double berth, a settee-cum single and, right forward another berth that can be used a single, athwart ships, or by two small children. All this and a large aft cockpit.

Most Phantoms were fitted with twin outdrives. One of the most popular installations was a pair of 165HP diesels, giving a top speed of 27 to 30 knots . This one I was Surveying today had a pair of 120HP petrol engines, a lot of boat for the money……….




How designs have changed over the years. This Fairline Phantom at Norfolk Yacht Agency is quite simply breath taking from every angle.........offers over £210,000

 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

Bourne 30 Broads Cruiser for Sale in Norfolk

Coral Star is a 30 ft Ernest Collins motor cruiser built 1974. Folding wheel house, 4 berth, boat safty certificate from last year. Diesel engine. Broads no G956. GRP hull timber top,  fully restored.

 

Any further details required please email me at steventruss1@aol.com or contact the owner Andrew Lodge at marion.lodge@keme.co.uk

 

Cruise the broads in style and comfort on your own classic broads cruiser. One of the few wooden topped cabin cruisers with a GRP hull avaiable on the broads, you will be travelling in traditional style. She is light and spacious with a fold down canopy which enables her crew to fully enjoy the beauty of the unique broadland landscape and go under all the main bridges. Be prepared for others to admire you as you pass them by! She is light and spacious, making her an ideal family cruiser or potential live aboard vessel, and her fold down canopy allows the great outdoors to be enjoyed from the comfort of the saloon which seats at least four.
There are berths for up to 5 people (2 x double and 1 x twin 1 x double and 2 x twin). There is a well equipped galley with cooker and fridge. Separate shower and toilet facilities, with an additional sink in the forward cabin.

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