Fairline Mirage 29

Today’s assignment was to inspect this Fairline Mirage 29 for Pre-purchase at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall on the South Broads.

In an 11-year production run, from 1975 to 1986, Fairline Boats produced 528 Fairline Mirage 29’s. The boat was designed by John Bennet.

There is accommodation for five-two in a forward cabin and three in the saloon, which has a dinette convertible into a double berth and a settee-cum single berth.

The helm position is in a wheelhouse open to a small aft cockpit, which has a settee that can be pulled out to form a sunbed. The hull is medium vee with a shallow 3/4 length keel.

The most popular of a large range of Volvo engine options -single or twin. Also they offered a pair of 140HP petrol engines, giving 26 to 29 knots. This one has a 200HP Volvo diesel on sterndrive.

Surveyors comments:
Overall they are a sound boat and come with quite a few different engine packages, single, twin, or diesel. They were also made as an aft cabin as well as aft cockpit, a late, aft cabin version commands a premium price in the UK.

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

Crownline 250CR Sports Cruiser

Today’s assignment was at Brundall in Norfolk. This was a Pre-purchase Survey and the boat was stock and owned by Norfolk Yacht Agency.

This was the 7^th US Sports Cruiser I have inspected in four weeks.. they are becoming increasingly popular on the Norfolk Broads because of their modern styling, layout for entertaining and open flashy cockpits for holidaying. They have thirtsy petrol engines but at low revs this is not an issue and the units are very quiet... no thumping diesels to think about. This one has some great design ideas in the cockpit including a rear seat that can be converted into a Sunpad... ideal for those lazy days on one of the Broads.

300HP Mercruiser 350 Magnum V8 Petrol engine.. thirsty but very quiet!

Single lounge seat to port

Crownline boats are without a doubt the most progressive boats on the market. They have successfully married a sexy, sporty look with that high sophistication, just the thing for boaters who desire comfort and convenience, yet still yearn for racy, sports car styling.

Crownline has grown to become the fifth largest builder of stern drive powered sport boats in the world. Seventeen different models, offered in ten gelcoat colors, five graphic combinations, eight seating layouts and umpteen power choices, allows boaters to custom build the boat of their dreams.

Surveyors comments:

Deep freeboards provide added safety and comfort for all on board. Full beam swim platforms add boarding and exiting security. Pull up cleats, strategically placed grab handles and four step boarding ladders all help keep crew safe.

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

Sea Ray Sundancer Sports Cruiser

On Friday I Surveyed another Sea Ray Sports Cruiser. This one the Sundancer 1997 model at Norfolk Boat Sales in Wroxham for Pre-Purchase.

Like all Sundancers, the look of the Sea Ray 330 is based on a design theme established for the company’s express cruisers in the early ’90s. The lines are flowing and smooth, avoiding the overly round or bulbous look of some express cruisers of the era. Sea Ray had a hit and stuck to it faithfully.

Just back from our test run across Wroxham Broad.This feels like a sport boat. It turns very well at speed, heeling over noticeably but hanging on through a tight turn.

This boat came from the States without its original Mercruiser petrol engines and the owner had these two 200HP Nanni diesels fitted giving up to 30 Knots in power.

The buyers of this boat said one of the features that drew them to the 330 was the layout of the cockpit and it’s easy to see why when stepping aboard. Not only are the fore and aft facing seats great for entertaining, but the aft facing seat also has storage in the back and base. The battery switches are tucked away in here as well, making them more accessible than in the engine compartment.

Surveyors comments: If you search online for an ‘express cruiser” it’s more than likely a picture or a boat-for-sale listing of a Sea Ray Sundancer is going to pop up due to their popularity, longevity and high build numbers.

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 to take on responsibility for Breydon Water

The Broads Authority and Great Yarmouth Port Company have reached agreement on the transfer of responsibility for navigation in Breydon Water and the Lower Bure.

Breydon Water and the lower parts of the River Bure are within the Broads Authority’s boundary. However, when the Authority was established in 1989, responsibility for the navigation for this area stayed with the Great Yarmouth Port Authority which now delegates most of its day to day responsibilities to the Great Yarmouth Port Company.

Breydon Water and the Lower Bure are vital connections between the northern part of the Broads and the rivers Yare and Waveney, which are also within the Broads Authority’s boundary, and for some long time the present management arrangements have been regarded as an anomaly. Informal agreement between the Broads Authority and the Great Yarmouth Port Authority was reached on the transfer in 2005 and provision was made in the Broads Authority’s Private Bill which was submitted to Parliament in November 2006.

The legislation received Royal Assent in June 2009 and the Broads Authority Act requires the agreement of the Great Yarmouth Port Authority, the setting of a date for the change and its advertisement for the new arrangements to be brought into effect. Now, following written confirmation of the approval of the Great Yarmouth Port Company the date of 1st June 2012 has been set for the transfer and the necessary advertisements have been placed in the London Gazette and the Eastern Daily Press.

Breydon Water is the trickiest part of the Broads to cross – particularly for novice hirers on holiday. A single navigation authority for the whole of the Broads will provide a consistent approach. Under the current arrangements the Broads Authority already provides a launch with two Rangers to patrol the area in the boating season funded entirely by the Authority. One option being considered is to make this a year-round operation.

Broads Authority Chairman Stephen Johnson said, “We are very pleased that we have been able to reach agreement with the Great Yarmouth Port Authority and the Port Company on the transfer of this responsibility. We are also delighted to have received the unanimous support of the Navigation Committee for this important change. Breydon Water joins the northern and southern parts of the Broads where we look after the navigation and it will enable us to provide a single service for the whole area. There will be some additional costs but we have carried out a detailed survey of the area and have a good understanding of what those will be and responsibilities that will transfer.”

The prime aim of the 2009 Broads Authority Act was to improve safety on the Broads and the transfer of the Breydon Water area and lower reaches of the River Bure is the last major element of this legislation to be implemented.
03/05/12

Countdown to the biggest ever Broads Outdoors Festival

It’s the countdown to the biggest ever Broads Outdoors Festival which is being launched on Saturday May 5th at Whitlingham Country Park, on the outskirts of Norwich, with a lively day of music, activities and family fun.

At 11 am renowned naturalist and author Richard Mabey will fire the opening shots by starting a race between the EDP’s Broads Correspondent, Stephen Pullinger, dressed as Billy Bluelight, and the Tri-Anglia Triathlon runners against the Wherry White Moth in a revival of the historic races between Billy Bluelight and wherries in the 1920s. White Moth will be welcomed back by an escort of boats and canoes and will be on public view for the rest of the day.

Billy’s great-great nephew, Andy Cullum, now a Broads Authority ranger, will attend the event.

During the day, from 10am to 4.30 pm there will be opportunities to try six different water sports on the Great Broad as well as Nordic Walking, archery, wall climbing and guided walks. Nutmeg Puppets will be performing from 2.30 -3.15pm.Food and crafts produced in Norfolk will be on sale and there will be a chance to get up close to the alpacas from Burnt Fen. Groups Tamalin, specialising in music, song and dance from West Africa, and Hard Rain, will provide entertainment throughout the day.

The launch heralds two weeks of outdoors fun with 100 events demonstrating all the Broads has to offer. It culminates in the Broads Green Boat and Tourism Show on May 20th at Salhouse Broad.

On Thursday May 3rd and Friday May 4th a preview of what is on offer will be held outside the Forum in Norwich City Centre from 9am to 5pm. There will be displays including Tarka, the world’s oldest operating canoe at 150 years old, boats, a windsurfing simulator, bushcraft demos, angling and pond dipping demos, a mountain bike-mobility scooter, and a Broads Authority 4X4 and RIB. A human sized dragonfly, ladybird, kingfisher and butterfly will be handing out free festival programmes.

The public have the chance to get in the festival spirit by travelling in Edwardian style aboard the wherry White Moth both before and after the festival. They are invited to book paid passages from Wroxham to Upton on Wednesday May 2nd, Upton to Cantley on Thursday May 3rd, Cantley to Whitlingham on Friday May 4th, and from Whitlingham back to Reedham on Sunday May 6th, Reedham to Yarmouth on Monday May 7th, Yarmouth to Ranworth on Tuesday May 8th and Ranworth to Wroxham on Wednesday May 9th.

To make a booking get in touch with Pauline Simpson, Charter Manager for Wherry Yacht Charter on 01692 630674. Income from the sailings is vital for the future of the wherries supported by Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust.

For all festival events visit www.outdoorsfestival.co.uk