Broads Authority Ranger nominated for National Award

The National Trust’s search for the UK’s green heroes shines its spotlight on Norfolk this month, as a panel of judges has selected Edgar Hoddy as a finalist in the Octavia Hill Awards.

Edgar, a Broads Authority Ranger based at Whitlingham Country Park and the Yare Valley, was chosen from over 160 nominations for the awards, run in partnership with BBC Countryfile Magazine.

The Awards are named after Octavia Hill, a Victorian social reformer and a founder of the National Trust who set the standard in campaigning for green places, and Edgar’s work with ex-young offenders impressed the judges in the Inspirational Hero category.

Fiona Reynolds, Director General at the National Trust and one of the award judges, said: "These awards show the spirit of Octavia Hill is well and truly alive. I was so impressed by the passion and commitment of the people nominated and it was a really hard decision to come up with the final shortlist.”

Adrian Vernon, Head of Ranger Services at the Broads Authority, said: “Edgar is a larger than life character and the Broads are in his blood. He has the ability to communicate in his soft Norfolk accent in such a way that people listen. He has been particularly successful in dealing with ex-young offenders and other difficult groups. His natural authority, patience and willingness to help the young people is immediately picked up by them and they quickly respond.

“A number of previous pupils have already returned and thanked him for how he helped them gain confidence that has lead to employment and a different path in life.”

The winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony in May, and you can vote for Edgar online here

Leisure 20 Yacht

Had an interesting day yesterday Surveying this little Leisure Yacht. We planned to lift her out at Moonfleet Marine in Stalham, but I quickly realised that this wasn’t going to happen without taking the rig down, so it was off to Wayford Bridge again where John the yard owner could 'haul' her out with the ‘Big Foot' with the mast stepped. Unfortunately on route the Yacht ran out of fuel so it was an SOS and a shout for Johns tug boat to bring her back to the yard…. Anyway… we finally completed the Survey and by lunch time everyone was happy!

Me in Johns tug boat! Interesting job Surveying...

With its long waterline and generous beam the Leisure 20 is a superbly balanced four-berth family cruiser that can be sailed just about anywhere in absolute safety and complete comfort. This bilge keel version is ideal for the Norfolk Broads. Designed for both serious offshore cruising and inshore pottering, it's the ideal trailer-sailer giving you a virtually unlimited choice of horizons. Under sail the Leisure 20 is extremely stable, vice-free and fast, performing well under all types of conditions. Under power it will cruise happily and economically with a 5 to 7 horsepower outboard, and is very manoeuvrable whether going ahead or astern.

Built in GRP for strength, rigidity and minimum maintenance, the '20' is surprisingly roomy for its size. I was amazed at how solidly this Yacht was built, nothing like the thinner ones these days. Fin and twin keels are of cast iron, the latter being of high aspect ratio hydrofoil section. The centreboard version has a galvanised mild steel plate, housed in a cast iron stub tube, rudder and skeg are moulded GRP with steel framework and stainless steel fittings. A teak rubbing strake is standard.

Moulded non slip areas on deck are designed to ensure safety. The cockpit is deep and wide, and features a outboard motor well in the stern, the cover providing an additional seat or table.

The accommodation includes four sensible size cushioned berths, a full galley and ample stowage space, and is finished in teak timbers and veneers. With two large coachroof windows on each side, and translucent forehatch it is particularly light and airy. Headroom is 1.62m in the cabin (1.14m sitting). A galley with cooker and sink is fitted on the starboard side.

The spars are in aluminium alloy. Originally gold, the spars of later boats are black or silver. All standing rigging and rigging screws are stainless steel. Halyards are internal.

The Leisure 20 hull was designed by a German designer (name not currently known) and the deck was designed by Brian Meerloo.

John at Wayford Bridge Marina hauling her out to check the bottom.

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

Seamaster 30 Motor Cruiser

Today I was at Wayford Bridge Marina Nr Stalham on the Northern Norfolk Broads Surveying this Seamaster 30 Motor Cruiser for Insurance purposes.

Seamaster, a famous name in motorboat building in the 1960s and 70’s, launched the Seamaster 30 at the 1970 London Boatshow, and produced 410 of the model up to 1981. The hull and superstructure moulds were held by Viking Mouldings, who occupied the old Seamaster premises in Great Dunmow, Essex..... Seamaster and Viking have now combined.

The boat sleeps six, with two berths in a forward cabin, two in the saloon and two in aft cabin. Helm position is in an open backed wheelhouse amidships.

Hull shape is shallow vee with a three quarter length shallow keel. Standard engine installation was a pair of 50HP Thornycroft diesels, but several others, all twins were also fitted, including Perkins.

This one makes an ideal Broads boat with a single 38HP BMC diesel.

Jon at Wayford Bridge Marina has the perfect hoist for lifting boats quickly

This boat is being refittied by Jon for the present owner... with new headlings, bulkheads, galley etc

Surveyors comments: A twin engine version can sell for £25 to £30,000. The single engine version probably more around the £20k mark.

On an Ex hire boat, one often finds small areas of stress cracks within the FRP 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 structure.

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

Falcon 23 SPC

I had a visit to Norfolk Yacht Agency in Horning today to Survey this Falcon Sportsboat.

Falcon started building boats in the early 1980s based in Brimbelow Road, Hoveton (Wroxham), moving to Griffin Lane Thorpe around 1991, where they continued to produce craft through the 1990s.

A number of the designs are now produced by other builders, including Sheerline and Quayline. I believe they were associated with Easticks of Acle, but I cannot confirm this. Its another local Broads boat designed by Andrew Wolstenholme


The popular Falcon 23SPC has been relaunched as the flagship of the Quayline range. It is a 2 cabin/4 berth craft.

This boat has the Volvo AQ205A petrol engine with sterndrive probably good for about 20Knots

Surveyors comments generally: The hulls on these boats are built to a high standard out of good quality materials.. ive yet to see one with any Osmosis problems. The Petrol engine version is good value at around £15,000 for one in good order. The more popular Diesel version can cost up to £20,000 for a 1992 model.

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

Caribbean 42 River Cruiser

Today I took a trip to Catfield on the Northern Broads to take a look at this Caribbean 42 River Cruiser being refitted by ANH Yachting.
The Caribbean was the first of the F.B.Wilds GRP fleet. Launching onto the Norfolk Broads in 1966 this ground breaking new cruiser was to change hire boating forever.

It's 6 to 8 berth accommodation came complete with:
Aft mounted engine for quiet cruising.
Spacious saloon with double bed that could remain made up and simply folded upwards out of the way during the daytime.
Warm air central heating/power ventilation.
Galley with all facilities including electric fridge.
Spacious, deep forward well with moulded seating allowing for safe, comfortable and sociable cruising for all ages and ease of mooring/access.
Single floor level throughout, and ability to pass under all Broadland bridges at suitable tides.
Use of free standing furniture where possible - settees & berths and much of the fit-out was built around an aim towards home from home comfort, which was a pioneering concept at the time.



This one I inspected today for Insurance was totally 'stripped out' including the fibreglass floors which have now been replaced in Plywood. Every piece of equipment will now be fitted as new.

The Caribbean is easily recognisable from her Sister’s not only by their window arrangement but by a different rear design. The rear of the cabin side has a ‘fin’ sloping outwards. On her bigger & smaller Sister’s this is not present and is angled off. The rear profile around the door is also different as a result. Here are some images from the old Yard at Horning.

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