Chris Craft 28 Catalina

I Surveyed this American Classic today. The Chris Craft 28 Catalina. A boat which once housed V8 petrol engines… now has two smaller diesels fitted and is quite suitable for the inland waters of the Broads.

Located in Sarasota, Florida, Chris-Craft has a rich heritage and an intriguing recent history. Founded over a century ago, the company earned a reputation for building quality, high-end products that last. The heyday of the firm was between the 1920s and the 1950s, when Chris-Craft became famous for its powerboats with beautiful mahogany hulls. The craftsmanship of the company is evident by the fact that antique Chris-Craft boats are available and valuable still today.

The latest chapter in the firm’s history began in 2000 when it was purchased by Stephen Julius. The company had fallen on hard times; its employees had lost their jobs and the factory sat idle. Julius cautiously began rebuilding both the product line and the firm’s reputation.

Since that time, the company has rebuilt the line around three categories of boat: Consoles, Cruisers and Runabouts. It has maintained its reputation for high-end quality craftsmanship, great designs and quality materials that include generous use of woods such as teak, oak, mahogany, maple and cherry.

 

1941 Classic

Chris Craft Riviera 31

Its a shame they have a 4mph speed limit on the Broads!! The Cobra was a single seat speedster with a shark's dorsal fin and Corvette automotive style windscreen. A marriage of fiberglass and mahogany, she marked the beginning of the end for wooden Chris-Crafts. Produced for one year only 108 were built, about half of those were 18 footers, the others 21 foot. Power was supplied by a 158-hp six or if you purchased the 21 foot model you could chose a 200-hp Chrysler Hemi or 285-hp Cadillac V-8.This artwork is based on a Cobra owned by Terry Fiest's, it was the second 18 footer produced by Chris-Craft.

Broads Motor Cruiser

I had a return trip to Martham today on the Northern Broads. This visit was the second of three to see ‘Summer Wine. She is timber constructed Motor Cruiser built by Kings in Horning back in the 50's. She was found in a run down condition, but her structure is remarkably good in general, and it is considered that she is well worthy of refitting. She has not been built to the highest standards, and employs simple materials-yet she has proved over the years to be persistently durable.

As she was last year

Built from Iroko hardwood... a very durable timber.. new stem and chine planks fitted

New bulkheads going in

A new engine will be installed...nearly all the frames (ribs) have been replaced...

Summer Wine‘, formerly named Ferry Buccaneer 3 is a timber Broads River Cruiser, constructed to a design relevant to the 1950's, she is of hard chine timber construction with a shallow tapering keel, flat transom stern, and a curved stem. She is a product of the era of the tall sided majestic looking wooden Broadland Motor Cruisers designed specifically for hire on the inland water ways.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in 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

Sheerline 1070 Centre Cockpit

Today I Surveyed this Sheerline Motor Cruiser at Barnes of Brinkcraft in Wroxham. The Sheerline 1070 Centre Cockpit offers spacious luxury. The high specification is designed to satisfy the most discerning of boating enthusiasts. The all GRP hull and superstructure with the versatility of the sliding wheelhouse roof, allows open-air living whilst retaining indoor comfort for an extended cruising season. The interior layout permits 4/6 berth accommodation with a double berth master cabin and associated toilet and shower forward. The galley/dinette area is fitted with a second toilet and shower compartment. Access is either through the rear cockpit well or by steps to the side deck from the central wheelhouse saloon with its comfortable L-shaped settee. The winch-assisted wheelhouse saloon roof slides on to the aft cabin roof and together with fold-down screens gives a very low air draft for extended river cruising.

Surveyors comments:

On ex hire boats its common to see areas of stress cracks within the fibreglass around the gunwales and on some of the deck stanchions. Such cracks are often caused by light impact, or through limited fatigue of the gel coat, but do not usually effect the structural integrity of the adjacent structure. Where there are no indications of serious degrading no immediate action is considered necessary.

Sealine S42 Motor Cruiser

I Surveyed and trialed this Sealine S42 today at Brundall on the South Broads.

The saloon features U-shaped seating, convertible to an additional double berth, dining table and concealed stool. A fully-equiped galley with hob, oven/grill, large fridge and split sinks is finished in Corian® worktops.

The forward double cabin is complete with en-suite toilet/shower, excellent storage/hanging space and vanity unit. The aft double cabin has the built-in choice of a large double berth or two large singles, en-suite toilet/shower, dressing table, seating area, double wardrobes and circular hatch to cockpit - a true master cabin.

Quality cruising could not be easier with well laid-out deck fittings, strategically-positioned handrails, heavy duty stainless steel windscreen and porthole frames, large teak-laid bathing platform and provision for paraselle/dinghy crane or davits.

40 ton hoist at Brundall... ideal



'Washing her off' before a detailed inspection can be carried out on the hull



Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in 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

Trader 41 (41+2).

Todays assignment was to Survey this 41 ft Trader Motor Yacht at Brooms in Brundall, Norfolk, UK.

The trader 41 and 41+2 (the same boat but with two more berths) were designed and developed by Tarquin Boat Co of Ringwood, Hampshire, but were built in Taiwan. They were introduced in 1980 and 1981 respectively. To date Tarquin have sold over 140 boats, of which about 30 have remained in the UK. The 41 has four berths in two large cabins, one forward and one aft, and two occasional berths in the wheelhouse. The 41+2 has two smaller forward cabins, giving an extra two berths. The full width aft cabin on both boats provides a spacious sundeck above.Hull shape is medium vee with a keel, effectively a semi displacement form. The most popular engine installation is a pair of 120HP Ford diesels, which drive the boat at 12 knots, but more powerful engines have been fitted up to twin 255HP Caterpillars pushing speeds up to 22 knots. This boat has the 306HP Volvos fitted.

beautiful teak interior that Traders are known for.



Very high tides today in Brundall.... glad i brought the wellies!



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