Foster 35 Motor Cruiser

Today I was at Brundall Marine Surveying this Foster 35 Broads Cruiser. There is little history about these marques, but they first appeared on the Broads in the W.K.Barnes fleet, with wooden superstructures, later a number of GRP classes were also produced, many still around on the Broads.

According to Craigs site, 'Norfolk Broads Boats' there maybe a relationship between these classes and the two Thorpe based boatyards - Foster Marine (now Silverline), Classic Cruisers & Classic Leisure Cruisers - all these yards owned Foster or Classic hulls at one time or another.

This was a good example and had been completley stripped out and refitted to a high standard by a local boatbuilder.

A new rudder was fitted so the old skeg had been removed..

A real bonus! A 54HP 2.5 litre BMC diesel

It is inevitable that at some stage there will be gel chipping, scratches or damage to the gel coat. It is advisable to have them sealed and rectified as soon as possible. To effect the repairs its obviously necessary for the surfaces to be dry and at a reasonable temperature of, say, not less than 45 F.

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

Fairline Phantom 38

I went to Survey this Fairline Phantom 38 at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall on the Norfolk Broads today. Im not a great lover of plastic boats! But this Phantom is designed and built for cruising in the most luxurious of surroundings. It is a lot of boat, and there are a host of comforts included in the not inconsiderable price.

The twin 370hp Volvo diesels are the maximum power supplied for the Phantom 38, and these engines produce a performance that is just about ideal.

Construction and engineering quality are aspects not easily assessed at first glace, but the Fairline brand is held in high esteem in the UK and internationally. Certainly the 38-footer reflects a caring concern by the factory tradesmen for the attention to detail. I use to fit galleys out myself when I worked in Newzealand as a boatbuilder, the joinery and the measured gaps around the doors are perfect. It has the same quality of design as the Fairline Targa 48, so in no way is this smaller boat a poorer cousin.

The interior is fully lined with quality fabrics, carpets, cushions, curtains, suede upholstery and trims, all of which are complimented by a rich, deeply polished American Cherry timber used for the joinery and panelling.

The internal layout is quite traditional for a 38ft flybridge sedan. The main stateroom in the bow incorporates a double island berth, with more than adequate storage lockers, shelves and drawers to each side of the centre companionway entry.

The second cabin, located to starboard, has twin berth accommodation that tucks back in under the lower helm station. There is a good deal of space in this cabin, with ample headroom to move around, dress and to make up the beds.

Dual access is provided for the bathroom - direct off the main stateroom, as well as off the companion way. It has the usual facilities, all well appointed, and sufficient space for showering and towelling off.

The bowthruster is not essential as the boat manoeuvres quite easily with the twin diesels, but it certainly makes life very much easier if there is a strong cross wind or a brisk current when getting into a tight berth.

The boats top speed is in excess of 30 knots.

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

Broom Saxon 40

Interestin Survey today at Brooms Boats in Brundall, Norfolk.. a one off!!
Originally designed as a successor to the Admiral Class for the hire fleet, only one Saxon 40 was ever built and this is it. Since new the Broom family themselves used the boat every summer whilst taking part in regattas around the Broads. Reluctantly sold with the hire fleet in 2004, the Saxon 40 has undergone extensive improvement to bring her up to private boat standards.

The interior layout builds on the Broom 30 design, with a central wheelhouse equipped with folding windscreens for minimum air draught. Aft, a large living space incorporates the galley and saloon, whilst forward two cabins provide double and twin berths. With a third single cabin amidships, and the option to convert the saloon to a further twin or double berth, a maximum of seven can be accommodated on this versatile cruiser.

Based on a 40 foot Aquafibre hull and fitted with a single 55HP BMC engine, the Saxon is designed and optimised for Broads cruising.

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

Aquafibre Ocean 37

I had a trip up to Nottingham today too Newark Marina Surveying this Ocean 37.

Based on the same hull as the Broom 37 Continental this boat has a significantly different superstructure and changes in the interior layout. Outside, the decks run all round the boat at one level.

Inside, the forward cabin is larger, made possible by moving the galley, now 'corridor' in format, to one side of the saloon towards the stern. The layout of the aft cabin varies between two single berths each side or one double berth accessed from one side. In contrast to the Continental and Crowns, there are no side doors between the saloon and the side decks.

Aquafibre built 157 Ocean 37's between 1973 and 1983.

Most boats were fitted with twin 145hp turbo-charged Perkins 6.354 diesels like this example. Some were fitted with 175hp Perkins, giving a slightly higher top speed of 19Knots



Kingsley Farrington Boat Transport from the Norfolk Broads was also up here today.. busy time- moving boats across the country just before Easter..

Surveyors comments:
Older Brooms boats often suffer from window leaks! These leaks usually develop because the seal between the window frame and the fiberglass part of the boat has broken. The break in the seal can be so small that you can't even see it. This is because of the capillary effect, which draws water into the smallest of cracks and more or less acts as a water pump to keep bringing water in. Its also why water can enter at one point and be coming out somewhere else, perhaps two feet away from the source of the leak.

To stop the windows leaking you may have use a non-hardening caulking so that the caulking can move with the expansion. To deal with this problem, you may have to remove the frames, rebed them and refasten them less tightly than they were previously installed

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

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