UK Marine Surveyor based in Preveza Greece.

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Broom Commander

I was back down at Bells Marine in Brundall today Surveying this Broom Commander River Boat. I think she is one of only three built by Brooms, very rare, and moulded by Bourne Plastics. Fitted out by Brooms Boats in 1975 and powered by a Perkins 4.108 diesel engine.

Bell Boats Ltd is an established family run business (for over 60 years) and offers a wide range of services for the boat owner permanently or temporarily based in Norfolk.

A very comfortable family river cruiser

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

The acting Yacht Broker today was Jim Cole of Pedro Boats (UK), based in Norfolk, and he specialises in the sale of new and used Pedro Dutch steel motor cruisers from 30 - 44 ft. He has 40 years marine experience, with Jim Cole being the longest established yacht broker in Norfolk. Pedro Boats (UK), are the UK distributor for the complete Pedro range of luxury dutch steel motor boats and are also able to offer pre-owned and brokerage boats.

Monday, 23 January 2012

Freeman 22 Mk II

I had a trip to Potter Heigham today and Patrick Richardsons Yard to Survey this little Motor Cruiser. One of the earliest production GRP motor cruisers! The Freeman 22 was launched in 1957 by John Freeman of Hinckley, Lestershire. They became one of the major motor cruiser builders of the 60’s and 70’s with a reputation for smart boats. In 1964 the 22 was modified to give increased headroom forward with a distinct step in the deck line. This example has the step, and was built in 1969. Over 1500 22’s were built up to 1970, when the boat was superseded by the Freeman 23.

The Freeman Cruiser 22 offered luxury classic cruising for its time. Based on the Freeman Caravans it is the original 'caravan afloat'!

The boats were fitted with 35HP Ford Watermota petrol engines or 50HP Perkins diesels, with speeds up to 9 or 10 knots.... this one has the petrol engine.

The boat has 4 berths in a layout which is basically open plan but it can be divided into two cabins by opening the hanging locker door out across the boat

Surveyors comments:
The fore decks delaminate and become spongy under foot. This is common on the older ones. Many owners of the older Broads Boats will elect to repair the deck core without removing the deck skin. On smaller areas especially this will be the case. Sometimes, though, the glass skin is just too difficult to remove, or, it's an old boat, like this one, and you just don't want to expend the time and effort. It's possible in these cases to perforate the outer skin with drilled holes, dry the area underneath, and then inject with penetrating epoxy sealer/resin or foam, and then close the holes with epoxy filler.

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

Friday, 20 January 2012

Reedham Ferry

I had a trip to Newsons Boat Yard in Lowestoft today. The yard are carrying out the 3 yearly MCA inspection and remedial works on the Reedham Ferry and asked me along to take some ultrasound thickness readings on the steel ballast tanks.

The Reedham Ferry is a vehicular chain ferry which crosses the River Yare in Norfolk. It crosses the river near the village of Reedham, forming the only crossing point between the city of Norwich and Great Yarmouth and saving users a journey of more than 30 miles. The current ferry was built in 1984, was designed and built at Oulton Broad by the late Fred Newson & the present owner. The ferry can carry up to 3 cars at a time and can carry a maximum weight of 12 tonnes. There has been a crossing at Reedham since the early 17th Century. The original ferry was called Norfolk Horse Ferries UNDER STABLE the horse drawn vehicles were the main users of the ferry boat. The Archers came to Reedham Ferry early in 1949 and proud to boast they are still here now after 3 generations. The ferry boat in 1949 was still being hand-wound across the river yare until early 1950 when the ferry became motorised.

The steel ballast tanks being measured for thickness

Going back a few years!!

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Bounty 27 Motor Cruiser

Today’s Survey was on one of this ex hire boat down at Whispering Reeds Boatyard on Hickling Broad.

Such had been the success of the MK I Bounty Elysian, that in around 1981 a new hull and superstructure was developed and the “New Elysian 27”, also known as the 27 Aft Cockpit (AC) MK II was launched.
Two layouts were offered. The first was a 4 berth, on similar lines to the MK I, though the fridge had been relocated into the cabin. This was built either with a full bulkhead divide between the two cabins as before, or often as an open plan layout with curtain divide. The second layout was purely a 2 berth and had a larger bathroom as you entered the cabin, galley opposite and then a small seating/dining area ahead. Located into the bow was a fixed double, with storage/vanity unit opposite. A hard top version was also produced, known as the Bounty 27 ACH, this had taller windscreens, a fixed roof & glass sides over part of the rear cockpit, and had some success on waterways where the increased height was not too restricting.

Bounty Boats History : Bounty Boats was formed by Mike Brister, and in 1968 was sold to Peter Brown. At the time the company was a small hirefleet of assorted craft, based at Brundall on the Norfolk Broads. In 1972 Bounty Boats went into production with their first model - the Buccaneer 37. At the time the boating scene had been changing quickly due to the rapid developments in fibreglass craft. A few years earlier, in 1966 Frank Wilds had launched his 39ft single level ‘bathtub’ design with great success, but his reluctance to sell them to others led to Bounty Boats, together with Stan Bruckshaw of Solar Marine to design and manufacture their own updated and improved interpretation.

The guys at Whispering Reeds Boatyard hauling her out for her inspection

Surveyors comments:

Have you considered how you would escape in the event of a cabin fire? An alternative to a purpose built hatch is a suitably-sized window, but remember, if the window is not capable of being opened, a safe means to break it must be kept nearby. Always consider your escape routes and plan for the worst, even if you may never need to use them. It's better to be safe than sorry!

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

Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Fairline Carrera Sports Cruiser

Today’s assignment was at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Horning on the Northern Broads. Very cold this morning, and the basin was full of ice about 1” thick. Tough work for the Brokers this time of year. The Fairline Carrera was designed by John Bennett. Fairline Boats is based at Oundle and has long been a manufacturer of luxury craft. They now concentrate mainly on craft too large for the Broads, but previously Fairline produced a number of popular smaller craft, many of which are still to be found on the Norfolk Broads. Build quality is excellent, and in my experience the hulls on the Fairline boats are nearly always blister free with no signs of osmosis.