I was working at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall today Surveying this Broom 36 Motor Cruiser. This was apparently the first Broom 36 built and the decks and superstructure are all wood. Built circa 1966 and powered by two Perkins 47hp diesel engines. The boat was fitted out by CJ Brooms & Sons of Brundall, Norfolk. Most Brooms of this type were used on rivers but some twin engine versions like this example could successfully cruise across the English channel. Early boats had wooden superstructures, but all GRP versions were introduced later.
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| This is a larger version of the Broom 30, based upon a Bourne 35 hull. |
A little History
Broom boats originally created boats for the gentry of the Norfolk for the exploration of the Norfolk broads; it was founded in 1898 by Charles J Broom. In 1912 broom boats had their first major development; they started to produce and hire boats for visitors to the Norfolk broads. How innovative and cutting edge Broom has always been is shown through how they were one of the very first companies to put internal combustion engines into their boats. Broom boats continued to build even through tough times; most boatyards were forced to shut during the Second World War but because of Broom’s high quality they were asked to build ships for the British Navy. This is when Broom perfected techniques for optimum production. Another notable contribution Broom have made to boat building is they were the pioneers in moving the main material for boats from wood to fibreglass, this was in the 1960s.
My main interest lies in the old “wooden boats” of course and they were certainly built with quality and style, and they were built with such skilled craftsmanship and still turn heads today. One of the boats featured in this Blog is The Albert which was built for one of the directors of the Norwich confectionery manufacturer John Mackintosh & Co. Designed by Arnott Fowler and built by Brooms, The Albert was launched in 1965 and has an illustrious claim to fame having been chosen to ferry the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh from Horning Staithe for the opening of the new conservation centre at Ranworth in November 1976.
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