Broom 35 European

This 35 European at Brundall today was one of the earlier models to utilise the, now classic, Broom layout of forward guest cabin, midships saloon, aft owners' cabin with en-suite toilet and shower, and the helm on the aft deck. The galley, partly open to the saloon, and a second toilet are between the forward cabin and saloon.

All boats have an internal helm on the port side of the saloon and can sleep from five to seven people, depending on layout variations and the size of the people, with two or three single berths in the forward cabin, two singles in the aft cabin and a single or double on the convertible settee in the saloon. In addition to the door onto the aft deck, the saloon has sliding doors on both sides giving access to the side decks.

Most earlier boats were fitted with twin Perkins H6.354 diesels of either 115hp (like this one) or 145hp, the latter being turbo-charged, whilst some had 120hp Ford Mercrafts. Most later boats, from 1978(?), were fitted with twin 140hp Volvos which, because they were taller, required the saloon floor to be raised several inches with a consequent change to the saloon roof, which is noticeably more 'cambered' on these later 'Mark 2' boats.

Brooms built 157 Europeans from 1973 to 1983

Perkins H6354 / 115HP diesels on shafts. (16 knots).

Aquafibre 35 Diamond Motor Cruiser

I spent the day at Horning today Surveying this River Cruiser. Horning is a picturesque waterside broadland village and if you only visit one Broadland village, then I think Horning has to be that one. The village lines the northern bank of the River Bure, stretching for about a mile, and has many waterside properties (best viewed from a boat). There are waterside pubs, shops, restaurant, tea-rooms, boat trips and other attractions to enjoy.

Todays boat: Aquafibre is probably one of the best known boat makers on the Broads. Aquafibre were a prolific manufacturer of boat shells - these were then outfitted by a variety of local boatyards, including Brooms of Brundall and Bristercraft at Wroxham.

Unfortunately Aquafibre ceased trading in 2009, marking the end of an era in Norfolk boat building. As far as its aware, Aquafibre have been producing Broadland craft since the late 1960s, evolving from designs by Bourne Mouldings, although prior to the wholly fibreglass boats, they were producing Elysian hulls with hand built wooden superstructures. You will often also notice Aquafibre craft badged with different names depending on the outfitter. You will notice firstly the earlier designs only have a length figure, whilst the later designs have 'class' names, and secondly the majority of the designs were produced in two sizes.

Single level 35' 4 berth river cruiser has twin sliding sunroofs, forward and aft double berths both with en-suite facilities and a large saloon area. It has the benefit of a bow thruster and an electric windlass for ease of use.

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

Richardsons Norfolk Broads Cruiser

I had an Insurance Survey to do today on this timber cruiser.... I think built around the 1940's by Richardsons. She is a one of the Crusader Class. Richardsons began as a boatyard in the late 1930s based at Oulton Broad, Suffolk. They built their first cruiser in 1948, for letting in 1949. Between 1949 and 1957 they built more timber craft, (see pictures below) , before moving to larger premises in their current location at Stalham, where they continued to build more craft today.

Todays boat at Brooms after having undergone planking works after sinking...

The perfect hoist at Brooms Boats for lifting old wooden girls....

Just some of the old Richardsons fleet...

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

Seaward 23 Motor Cruiser

I Surveyed this sturdy little seagoing boat today in Horning on the Northern Broads…. Popular with the sailing fraternity and filled with character, the Seaward 23 Motor Cruiser is a sturdy, seagoing craft with traditional styling and accommodation for up to four persons. With a large deep cockpit area and open backed wheelhouse this vessel is an ideal family cruiser or picnic boat. Like its bigger cousins of the Nelson range, this vessel has undergone both tank testing at Westland Aerospace and testing for stability by the Dept. of Transport. This may be unusual for a craft of this size but comforting to know when you are out in adverse weather conditions. More recently the Seaward 23 has undergone stability testing with Lloyd's Register for compliance with the new Recreational Craft Directive. The standard cockpit arrangement is compliant with the regulations for use in wind speeds up to force 6 and wave height up to 2 meters.

This little Seaward has a reputation for exceptional seakeeping qualities and is used by owners typically for cross channel cruising. It was with cross channel cruising in mind that this specification was developed to include the option of twin shaft drive diesels, with twin fuel tanks and twin battery systems. The deep 3/4 length keel with contra-rotating propellers and twin rudders make the Seaward 23 a joy to manoeuvre. Stepping ashore from cockpit to pontoon is made easy with the wide side decks and plenty of hand holds, an important feature for those who do their boating short handed. 

There are various Yanmar inboard engine options to choose from on the Seaward 23 - from a single 75 hp diesel giving 11 knots, through to this version..twin 75 hp diesels giving 24 knots.

Broom Crown

Todays assignment was at Brooms Boats. Broom was founded in 1898 by Charles J Broom at first building individual sailing vessels for the local gentry to sail on the wide open spaces of the Norfolk Broads. Over the course of the next 100 years Broom have gone from strength-to-strength, offering innovation and quality hand craftsmanship. They specialise in Aft Cabin Cruisers, manufactured to the very highest standard.

Successor to the successful Continental, the Broom Crown was based on the same hull, but had a restyled superstructure and a significant change to the layout.

Twin v-berths in the forward cabin remained, but the aft cabin enjoyed a centreline double, whilst the settee in the saloon continued to provide an extra double berth. All boats continued to feature interior and exterior helms and sliding doors on both sides of the saloon giving access to the side decks.

This example has the side mounted 185HP Perkins diesels. Later Crowns replaced the longstanding Perkins engines with 148hp Volva Penta TAMD40As or 158hp TAMD40Bs.

Things to check during inspections: Water test window seals, often causing damage internally to bulkheads & woodwork. Exhaust leaks at 'thru transom' outlet. Stainless steel fuel tanks often replaced the old mild steel orginals...

Common on the older models...  To stop windows leaking you may have use a non-hardening caulking so that the caulking can move with the expansion. To deal with this problem, you may have to remove the frames, rebed them and refasten them less tightly than they were previously installed.

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