Broom Ocean 42

I Surveyed this Classic Brooms Motor Yacht today. The Broom Ocean 42 is a very popular model and this example is well designed for extended family cruising, with a spacious layout and 6 berths. This craft is at home both at sea and cruising the inland waterways.Interior layout varies in detail depending on what was specified when new. All boats have a large aft cabin and two forward cabins although in some later models the forward V-berth was replaced by an island double, allowing guests to be accommodated in some comfort.

Some boats do not have the interior helm position, preferring instead to make the most of the large deck saloon. In most cases a 'corridor' galley, reminiscent of the Ocean 37, leads to the en-suite owners aft cabin, although some models like this example had a separate staircase to port.

A variety of twin Volvo diesels were fitted during the production life, varying in power from between 200 and 300hp, which had a corresponding impact on performance. This one has the TAMD 60C Volvos with 250HP and a max speed of about 20 Knots.

Surveyors comments generally about older boats:

Older Brooms boats suffer from window leaks! These leaks usually develop because the seal between the window frame and the fiberglass part of the boat has broken. The break in the seal can be so small that you can't even see it. This is because of the capillary effect, which draws water into the smallest of cracks and more or less acts as a water pump to keep bringing water in. Its also why water can enter at one point and be coming out somewhere else, perhaps two feet away from the source of the leak.

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.

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.