Fire prevention & extinguishing equipment...

I was at Richardson’s Boatyard in Stalham today carrying out four Valuation Surveys.

I thought this was a good idea on thier newer cruisers. A hole drilled through into the engine bay so you can extinguish a fire with one of the dry powder units located in the aft cabin. Stops air rushing in to the engine space if the engine room hatch is lifted to fight the fire ...(very dangerous) and saves on the cost of having a fixed system. Fixed systems are counted as additional to the absolute minimum requirements for portable extinguishers. If the fixed system is remotely operated it's a good idea for the release device to be readily accessible from outside the fire risk space so that the person using it is not placed in danger.



  Broads Sunset.... one of the boats I valued today. Spec includes • 240v system • Bow thruster for ease of handling • Elevated stateroom with sliding canopy over provides superb all round visibility • Lower stern deck with boarding platform for easy access • Microwave • Vacuum cleaner • 14" 240v TV • DVD • CD • Stereo radio • Soft furnishings • Duvets and bed linen •  2 shower/WC rooms. Radiator central heating with instant hot water and 2 toilets/showers are en suite.

Hire prices from £812.00 a week...

 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

Happy Newyear!

“On the onset of a Newyear.... sending you the warmest of wishes”

New Year's resolution in 2012

If boaters make only one New Year's resolution in 2012, it should be this one and it should never be broken: Make a fire emergency plan for yourself and everyone on board - go through it regularly so the planned actions are second-nature. With an average of over one accidental boat fire a week, planning for a fire emergency should be something every boater does.

'Fit a smoke alarm and keep it working', is the blunt advice… following a recent boat fire where the owner was potentially only seconds away from death. The live-aboard boater had no early warning when he awoke in the middle of the night to find his home was filling rapidly with toxic smoke.

Boaters with solid fuel stoves on their boats have a new source of advice to help avoid the two deadly threats of fire and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and at the same time, save money on fuel, with the launch of a stove safety portal on the BSS stay-safe website, www.boatsafetyscheme.com/solidfuelstoves
 
Boaters are again being advised to avoid using portable gas appliances with integral gas canisters on board boats following an explosion on the Norfolk Broads that sent two people to hospital with burns to legs, hands and faces.

Steel Dutch De Ruiter Motorsailer

I was lucky enough to Survey this Steel Dutch De Ruiter Motorsailer today at Brooms Marine Services. Built Circa 1981, powered by a Ford Lehman 120hp diesel engine with 6 berths. A quality blue water yacht!!

Surveyors comments generally Surveying steel vessels:
Most plate and frame material I inspect on steel yachts is low carbon mild steel and occasionally I will see core-ten steel. The welding techniques differ as mild steel cannot be welded hot and fast and core-ten cannot be continually welded as it can distort. So you will see more starts and stops and this type is much more difficult to weld. I use a welder’s chipping hammer often in my inspections to explore corrosion. Don’t be surprised if you happen to go through on older vessel, and be sure to have written permission from owners before and after to prevent some costly embarrassment. A metal hull inspector needs to know where to look and what to look for. You need to know how to identify three basic problems: deterioration, defects and damage. Deterioration is the largest single defect you will have to identify. This inherent problem is due more often than not to age. The older the vessel is, the more likely you are going to see this type of deterioration, be it rust or pitting. The next largest problem is lack of proper maintenance. The largest inherent problem with steel yacht construction, be they auxiliary sail or power, is the fact that most are not constructed with maintenance in mind. Cabin soles, ceilings, and insulation cover so much of a vessel’s structure and totally restrict internal inspections in many areas. Many steel yachts have integrated tanks--water, fuel or waste--and most do not have inspection plates to allow entry and most of your inspections will not involve entry. Hull defects are often easier to identify because they may be more readily evident. Plate deformation is reflective in nature. If you have plating deformation, you should suspect and look for reflective internal framing defects. Severe point loading from impact or hard grounding can cause cracking or tearing of the plate, frames or welds. A strong light and a keen eye are your best weapons here.



Broom 10/70

I Surveyed this 10/70 today at Brundall. The successor to the Broom European and similarly intended for the continental market, the 10/70 has a solid keel which keeps it in a straight line even at a crawling pace, making it ideal for the inland waterways.

Inside the layout is similar to the European, with the galley forward to starboard. The sliding doors from the saloon to the side decks have been deleted allowing for a U-shaped sofa. In the master cabin the twin berths were replaced by a centreline double.

Most boats were fitted with twin Volvo's, ranging from 105HP to 220HP, although a typical configuration is this exmaple with twin Volvo TMD41A (150HP each). Offshore, boat trim was improved by fixed or adjustable trim tabs.

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