Broads Authority holds volunteering taster morning

The Broads Authority is looking to recruit new volunteers to help with a wide variety of tasks in and around the Broads area.

Current vacancies on offer include Yacht Station Volunteer (Great Yarmouth), Ranger Volunteer and Broads Authority Practical Volunteer. There are also work experience placements available. Full details can be found on the Volunteer Vacancies page, and more roles will be advertised as and when they become available.

The initial task will be looking to recruit volunteers to help out at Great Yarmouth yacht station, to assist the Ranger Teams and to provide general volunteering assistance out and about with maintenance teams undertaking habitat management tasks.

There is a taster/selection afternoon on Thursday 3 May, 2pm at How Hill, Ludham for anyone interested in practical volunteering. There will be the opportunity to try out practical tasks alongside existing volunteers and staff and an informal interview with Broads Authority staff. More information about Broads Authority Volunteer Vacancies.

Bayliner 2655 Ciera

I was back at Norfolk Yacht Agency today Surveying this American Sports Cruiser, the Bayliner 2655 Ciera. Checking my archives Ive Surveyed ten of these over the years on the Broads and it’s a ‘big boat for small brass’ as the Yanks would say! 

These are boats you can step-down to and still get many of the comforts of a full-blown cruiser. Attractive family or couples boats, the Ciera offers a mix of dayboating comforts and handy amenities down below. Though they are relatively compact, each is exceedingly high volume. Bayliner doesn't hide from this fact. Certainly, it prides itself on making mid-sized production cruisers that offer more for your money.

The boats come with bathrooms and toilets and hot showers, cabins with double bunks, dinettes, and galleys with alchol burners. Both the 26 and 28-footers offer enough cabin space for a family of four or two couples to sleep with a fair degree of comfort and privacy.

A big attraction for passengers is the fully-moulded, enclosed head on the starboard side. It includes a manual-flush toilet with a holding tank, vanity and moulded sink, and a hot/cold tap that doubles as a hand-held shower. There is no extractor fan, however.

The petrol-powered 230hp Mercruiser engine with a Bravo sterndrive leg, the boat offers a handy turn of speed and great manoeuvrability.

Surveyors comments: A big boat for the money. A mid 90’s version in good condition £19K!  Petrol-powered performance to wow the sporty set and user-friendly handling at the marina. Room to enjoy below and space to kick back up top. A consistent standard of finish, smart mouldings and chic styling. Great access to the bow.

Why the fixation on beige? Smarter fabrics and sisal carpet would lift things below, although frequent model updates will limit your Ciera's freshness. Fuel consumption at top revs won't be pretty. Prop was mismatched on 2655 and 2855's power-steering can some times have too much play. Remember for Broads owners. Its becoming increasing difficult to get Petrol on the Norfolk Broads…. which will mean filling by hand.

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

Westerly Spirit.

Today’s assignment was at Lowestoft Yacht Services to Survey this rare Yacht for Insurance. They only built 14 of these Westerly Spirits.

Designed by Ed Dubois check out the Westerly Owners Association for more info

A view over to Haven Marina

The little Spirit, which itself came from an altered and shortened Griffon mould, became the 260 in late 1993. In the early 90s, the Company was just reforming itself from bankruptcy and needed to have something new to claw back some of the attention and sales that had been going Moody’s way since the turn of the decade.

There was no money to do anything dramatic, of course, so no new boats could be developed (it costs at least half a million to bring on a truly new yacht). Which is why the idea of making a whole new range out of existing boats was so exciting.

The Regattas which included the Spirit would capitalise on the fast image of the Storms that had been such a success in the late 80s, while the Oceans would carry forward the proud tradition of generations of Westerly cruising boats.

(First published in WOA magazine No. 67, Winter 2001)WOW says...So after only building 14, why were these boats such a total failure, in commercial terms? Probably, the changes were just too much to take in. That was certainly the feeling of WOW. Boat interiors had all looked the same since the last time Westerly took a big step forward in the late 70s, with the GK29s and Konsorts leading in to the look of the 80s and 90s followed by almost every boat built in Britain since. In fact, and with hindsight, these are wonderful designs, with more interesting new woods, more curves, more comfort, better stowage, better galleys, better chart tables and a fresh, bright, light and truly interesting look. One person’s breath of fresh air may be another’s draught, but as fresh air types, living in a modern world, buying new design in every other walk of life, isn’t it time we gave these super boats a second look?

Surveyors comments generally on rigging: Regularly check the rigging for tensioning and the lock nuts or pins for safetying. Have owners regularly secure, lubricate and check the bottle screws for tensioning: if the rigging is loose, the chain plate friction may generate wear. Never lubricate bottle screws with silicon grease: use tallow, graphite grease or other. Change all shrouds or stays exhibiting kinks, severed wires or other defects. Regularly check the chain plates and stays for condition.


This disclaimer applies to all content in this blog, along with much of the article & tool content as well. I provide information, advice & content based on my personal and professional experience. This content is, by-and-large, opinion, and although I do my best to limit false or misleading information, the practices of search engine optimization and search engine marketing are rarely an exact science and my results applying this information may vary.

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

Nimbus 310 Coupe

I was back down at Ipswich today Surveying this Nimbus 310 Coupe 1998 model. I was in Neptune Marine in the heart of the City Centre.

I have only Surveyed half a dozen of these boats over the last ten years. Nimbus are Scandinavia's leading manufacturer of pleasure boats. They offer exceptional comfort, innovative design, quality through genuine craftsmanship and are built according to the highest safety standards. Nimbus models include the R-Series, Nova, Coupe Cruisers, Ultima and the Flybridge Commander.

This Nimbus 310 Coupe has surefooted performance and generous accommodation within its modest overall length.

Yanmar 4LHM-STE 230HP inboard diesel on shaft drive. Cruising speed 18 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

Sealine 310 Ambassador

I had a trip to Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall today to Survey yet another Sealine Sports Cruiser. This the Sealine 310 Ambassador has the perfect combination of a roomy cockpit, to seat friends and family, as well as room inside to sleep four.

The engines are the well respected Volvo Penta AD41P-A models, which are a turbo-charged 6 cylinder 3.6 litre engine. They produce 200hp each, and are capable of attaining around 34 knots in flat conditions and light loading. She will happily cruise at 22-25 knots.

The 310 Ambassador is a spacious sports cruiser that has stood the test of time.

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