Broads Yacht Valkyrie

I had a trip to Reedham Ferry on the South Broads today to Survey this lovely old Broads Yacht. Built by Ernest Collins way back in 1937.

Collins History: The start of the pleasure boating business on the Broads is often associated with Loynes of Wroxham, but another family started a hire craft business which can claim to be the second oldest on the Broads and subsequently, one of its most famous – the Collins family. In the 1930’s, the yard built a series of yachts, all of which were mahogany-planked and bright varnished, giving a distinctive appearance. These included four 30ft, 5 berth yachts, known as the “Valkyrie” class.....

Valkyrie back in her Heyday......

Reedham Village in the distance

Lifting her out for inspection

Amazing old 'Derrick' at Reedham, one of the oldest left operating in the country...

A couple of seams to re-caulk before putting her back in the water

No valves no tanks! The toilet waste goes straight out through the bottom of the loo!

Anyone fancy a project... the Yard have a Corvette 32 hull and superstructure up for sale for £12K. Contact Sandersons of Reedham for more info.

Landamores Broads Cruiser

I was down in Brundall today on the South Broads inspecting this Landamores Elanco 37 Classic Broads Cruiser. Built in 1962, the Elanco 37 was, at that time, the largest hire cruiser one could rent on the Norfolk Broads. 'Snow Goose' is famous here on the Broads as she is one of very few surviving examples. She has a pair of modern diesel engines fitted. Also a generator has been installed that ensures that you are completely self sufficient when away form your home berth and shore power hook-up. All of the above means that she lends herself very well to being used as a liveaboard boat.

Surveyors comments on Surveying wooden boats generally:

Concealed areas within a hull are always a problem but, most wood vessels are constructed in such a way that enough access is available to make a fair assessment. It is usually possible to pull up floors (such as screwed in place plywood panels and the like) and remove enough paneling that one can get a fairly good glimpse of the bottom and lower sides. Carrying an electric screw gun is a must in order to do this quickly and effectively.

Three important tools are a slim but heavy gauge pry bar - of the sort used for pulling nails - a heavy hammer and a large standard blade screwdriver. Check the joints between planks and frames visually, looking for gaps or any sign that the plank is not tight against the frame. Then use the screw driver to test the wood for softness on both plank and frame near the mating surface. If the frame is cracked or the wood is soft, one doesn't have to go any further. Soft wood and cracked frames are dangerous conditions that mandate repair.

Broom 33

I was back at Brooms today... the weather was gorgeous for this time of year, really hot. The Broom 33 was intended to strengthen Broom's presence in the seagoing medium-size cruiser market and bridged the gap between their well-reputed river boats and their larger sea-going models. It represented a popular entry level boat in the Fast Offshore Range, although it has since been discontinued for a larger model.

The interior layout could be offered with or without an interior helm, the latter option providing a more spacious saloon. The aft cabin makes the best use of space by fitting the double bed diagonally, and still retains separate shower and WC cabins.

The standard engines for the Broom 33 were twin 100HP Volvo TMD31Bs but as these only gave a top speed of 12 knots the 33 was more typically fitted like this example with the more powerful 180HP or 200HP Volvo TAMD41/A/Bs for offshore cruising.

The Old and the New...saw this nice collection of old boats in the sheds... some of them built by Brooms... and then thier latest flagship the 455 back from the Southampton  Boatshow..

The Navigator Class

Rare Broom Robb

Raisena.. owned by Mr. Broom and raced every year... for the last 79!!

Shadow 26 Motor Cruiser

Todays assigment was at Horning on this this cruiser that was a radical design in its day offering a wide beam for her length together with a large perspex sliding door to the cabin. The open plan cabin is famed for comfortable seating which folds down into berthing. 2 versions of the boat were made. The offshore version had 2 larger petrol engines on outdrives and ths river boat version featured a modification to the hull to allow the installation of a shaft driven single  diesel engine. There was also an option of hard top or a full canopy version.

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 Green Boat Show promotes groundbreaking initiative for hire boats

Boat owners interested in a ground-breaking green initiative for hire boats  will be able to view the first boat in the country to receive green certification at the Broads Green Boat Show on Sunday 25th September 10am-4pm.

Norfolk Broads Direct’s diesel electric hybrid cruiser, ‘Fair Princess’, which is leading the way nationally with the Green Tourism Business Scheme’s new Green Boat Mark, will be exhibited on moorings at Salhouse Broad alongside the GTBS stand.

Stuart Brain, the senior grading assessor for the East of England, will be giving advice on the new initiative which was launched between the GTBS, Broads Authority and Broads Tourism earlier this year. It is available to any hire boat which belongs to a boatyard with GTBS grading and is awarded for hull design, method of propulsion and green information for guests.

The public will have the opportunity to get out on the water in a wide range of craft, from canoes, rowing boats and pedal boats to electric and sailing boats and will be able to watch boating demonstrations. One or two boats may even be for sale.

They will be able to arrive in style by electric water taxi from Granary Staithe Hoveton for a return trip for £7 which includes admission to the show and a 30 minute silent boat trip down the River Bure.

There will be plenty to interest children with the Nutmeg Puppet show ‘Apple Pip’ highlighting environmentally friendly issues at noon and BeWILDerwood’s boggling treasure trail round the broad.

Children will even be able to design and build their own “green boats” from recycled materials and then race them.

There will be a variety of stands promoting green boating including fuel cells, solar panels and wind turbines. A smoothie maker will be operated by pedal-power among the locally sourced refreshments. The Norfolk Broads Concert Band will provide the entertainment.
19/09/11

Discounts are offered if you arrive by public transport, bike, green boat or foot. Moorings and car parking are provided, for which there is a small charge.

The show is organised by Salhouse Broad and Broadland Cycle Hire with support from The Broads Authority.