Ernest Woods Half Decker

I have managed to locate another old Half Decker and have been lucky enough to acquire her for restoration. She was built in Cica 1910 by Ernest Woods & Newstead of Cantley on the Norfolk Broads. She is 19’ in length and 6’3” beam with a lifting centre plate/ keel. She has a lug rig ( one large sail) and is a clinker construction some of which appears to be Oak. She needs some work but her sail is in excellent condition. If anyone recognisers her or has any information on her history please drop me a line.

Picchiotti Tigress Motor Yacht

Todays assignment was to Survey this Classic Picchiotti Italian Motor Yacht built to the Lloyds 100 standard. She has a deep V hull which makes her a very capable sea going vessel while at the same time utilising the economy of a semi displacement boat. With a cruising speed of around 18 knots she has been designed to get to your destination in comfort and style. She features both internal and external helm positions in order to take advantage of all weather conditions. She has a famous Nelson hull design and twin Cummins 480HP diesels.

Designed by Peter Thornycroft with a true “Nelson” hull moulded in GRP to Lloyds approved scantlings with a Lloyd’s hull moulding Certificate. The hull was moulded and fitted out by the famous Italian yard of Picchiotti spa and is the highly regarded Tigress model.

Surveyors comments: 

Sovereign Moisture Meters cannot be used on hulls containing boran or reinforced with carbon fibres as these substances have a high electro conductivity. The readings may, therefore, as well as being affected by ambient conditions, also may be affected by the local thickness of the gelcoat, the presence of extra layers of reinforcement or structural items, epoxy coating systems, chain cables, ballast, bilge water, copper, fuel or water tanks, gas cylinders, batteries and electrical wiring and similar items on the inside of the hull and even the static electricity in the Surveyors body and clothing. It is also necessary to remove any antifouling in order to use these instruments as the surface coatings may carry large amounts of copper or tin which also cause false readings. It should also be pointed out that the effective practical depth of field of these instruments is only about 15 to 20mm. High readings therefore, do not necessarily indicate the presence of water.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Broads Boats of all types and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at:

steventruss1@aol.com 

Broom Commander

I Surveyed this beauty today at Brundall on the South Broads. A highly sought after classic wooden craft from the 1950s.  'White Heron' has been in the Broom family from new. A smaller version of 'Supreme Commander'. The two in Broom's early hire fleet did not have a stern well, however this example does. They built one twin engine version too...which is very rare....



The interior has been little changed since she was built, so retains the original character & quality of build.



The original Perkins 4107 34HP diesel engine

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

Freeman 30 Motor Cruiser

I Surveyed this Classic Freeman 30 Cruiser today down at Horning on the Norfolk Broads.

John Freeman Marine built about 100 Freeman 30s from 1960 to 1969. The boat has the distinctive curved step in the deck line that was a feature of many of the early Freemans.

There are two versions, one with a centre cockpit and aft cabin like this example and one with an open cockpit. This one has six berths, the other has four.

The hull is shallow vee with a long , shallow keel. The boats were primarily built for river use but are quite cable of fair weather passages in estuary or coastal waters.

Single or twin diesels were fitted. In the early boats the most common installation was a pair of 56HP Parsons Porbeagles, which would give a top speed of about 10 Knots. Later boats were fitted with more powerful engines commonly a pair of 108HP Thornycrofts, which increase top speed up to 13 Knots. This one has the twin Bedfords at 98HP.. Fitted to the last ones built… this one was apparently a 1968 model.

Surveyors comments generally on all Freeman models

Its a well known fact that many old Freemans have osmosis blistering to the underbody, and that the mouldings absorbe a substantial quantity of moisture during their life, but this is not uncommon on vessels of this age and type and have spent most of their life’s continuously afloat. When considering the thickness of the laminate the decision whether or not to treat the osmosis can be judged on a financial rather than structural basis in most cases, and should be therefore left entirely to the owners discretion. It must however be remembered that osmosis will not cure itself, but could remain static for many years with out requiring expensive treatment. I always recommend that Freeman owners take their vessels out of the water over the winter periods and store them in the dry, out of this they reduce the possibility of further osmotically induced gel coat blistering.

Steve from Ferry Marine washing off the bottom



The first 30,s were built with wooden mahogany deck and superstructure like this example.



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

Broom Ocean 37

I was Surveying this Ocean 37 Motor Yacht today down at Broadland Boat Centre in Brundall. Based on the same hull as the Broom 37 Continental this boat has a significantly different superstructure and changes in the interior layout. Outside, the decks run all round the boat at one level.

Inside, the forward cabin is larger, made possible by moving the galley, now 'corridor' in format, to one side of the saloon towards the stern. The layout of the aft cabin varies between two single berths each side or one double berth accessed from one side. In contrast to the Continental and Crowns, there are no side doors between the saloon and the side decks.

Most boats were fitted with twin 145hp turbo-charged Perkins 6.354 diesels like this example. Some were fitted with 175hp Perkins, giving a slightly higher top speed. 

Specifications
LOA: 37ft 0in / 11.28m
Beam: 12ft 0in / 3.66m
Draught: 3ft 0in / 0.91m Min.
Air Draught: 8ft 6in / 2.59m Hull/Deck: GRP
Hull Form: Semi-displacement Cruise Speed: 12 knots Max. Speed: 16 knots
Fuel Capacity: 2 x 100 gals / 454ltr Water Capacity: 100 gals / 454ltr
Build Period: 1973-1983
Number Built: 157 Previous Model: ? Successor
Model: Broom 37
Market Value: £50,000 - 60,000


Surveys Comments

The best preventive maintenance for seacocks, both plastic and metal, is to periodically open and close each valve. Leaving a valve in one position for an extended period of time can allow it to freeze up. Manufacturers' guidelines may differ slightly, but the consensus is that the handle of each seacock should be moved throughout the full open/close path every few weeks, or at least once every 30 days, more frequently if possible. One school of thought advocates closing all seacocks each time the boat is left unattended. If you follow this diligent strategy, be just as methodical coming back aboard, especially to make sure valves on the raw-water intakes are open before starting the engines. If you are forgetful consider putting a placard somewhere near the ignition switch as a reminder. If a seacock won't operate freely, disassemble and lubricate it. To lubricate seacocks while a boat is in the water, use the following procedure:When the boat is hauled out, perform steps four to six from outside the hull to lubricate the opposite side of the valve mechanism. Use winch, wheel bearing, or water pump grease. Avoid lithium or other metal-based greases, which may cause galvanic corrosion. If a seacock is completely frozen, it's best to haul the boat before attempting repair or replacement. If that's not possible, then temporarily plug or seal the penetration from outside the hull before attempting repair. Out of sight out of mind and easily overlooked or neglected seacocks and through-hull fittings can cause very serious problems when not maintained. However, by following the routine outlined here of regular checks and minimal care, they'll provide years of reliable service.

close the valve.
remove the hose or tubing from the inboard side.
remove any remaining water from inside of valve.
swab waterproof grease on the inside of valve mechanism.
reattach the hose or tubing, checking clamps or fittings.
activate the valve several times to spread the grease.
Check bonding straps to all bronze through-hulls to make sure that the cable has no corrosion or breakage that could lead to stray current that will cause galvanic corrosion.

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