Cruiser Class Yacht

I Surveyed this little Yacht today at Anne Whelptons Yard at Upton Dyke. Built by Arthur Powley who use to work out of the back of the New Inn in Horning back in the 1920s.

She is of timber construction, accommodates two berths in one cabin. She has a raked stem, counter stern and a fixed ballasted keel. She has a typical Broads type gaff rig, and is steered from an aft cockpit well.

Surveyors comments: 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 panelling 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.

Yacht surveyors do carpeting and beds!! That means one has to move a lot of mattresses, bedding, carpets and emptying out of lockers, etc. Once the interior is opened up as best possible, Im ready to begin....

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

Ocean 30

I surveyed this Ocean 30 Motor Cruiser at Horning today…. These are very popular boats on the Norfolk Broads. All Ocean 30 and Moonraker 30’s were moulded by Aquafibre. The Ocean 30 was built and marketed by Aquafibre hence the Broom connection. The Broom 30 hull is identical to the Ocean 30.
Apart from the earliest Ocean 30's which had Timber tops their were at least 3 Mks a four berth, a five berth with an aft quarter cabin like this example, and a final version where the head was moved forward between the front lower cabin and the Saloon. Regarding the Ocean 30 with a complete aft cabin, I think there were only ever 2 made (someone may know different) - these were both for Porter and Haylett.

 

Surveyors comments generally:

These old cruisers were in production from 1966 to 1979... and its well documented that they suffer from Osmosis blistering to the underbody. If there are no blisters I would definitely do nothing even if a moisture meter shows very high readings. If there are blisters but they are small and not too many they are not likely to have any significant effect on the structural strength. "Thousands of boats are cruising happily throughout the Norfolk Broads with high moisture readings and an underwater hull resembling bubble wrap. Just keep an eye on the situation. ..."

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