White Moth second visit Tonnage measurement and registration

Today was my second visit to see White Moth the Norfolk Broads Wherry Yacht built by Ernest Collins. I spent the morning looking over the rigging and the spars while Adrian Overbury my associate carried out a tonnage measurement for part 1 registration.

Part 1 is the closest to evidence of title and applicants send in a Declaration of Eligibility as well as Bills of Sale showing the history of the boat's ownership for at least 5 years.

The YDSA tonnage measurement application form can be downloaded here.



Pleasure Wherry Hathor and Wherry Yachts Olive and Norada... Constantly being maintained..

Adrian working out his calculations… 23 tons.. A heavy old lady!

Registration on Part 1:

• Enables you to prove title to your boat
• Allows you to register a marine mortgage
• Provides internationally accepted documentation to ease passage to foreign ports
• Entitles you to protection from the Royal Navy and the services of British Consuls
• Can enhance the resale of your vessel
• Provides proof of date of build in respect of the EU Recreational Craft Directive
• Ensures that your boat's name is unique on Part 1

Contact the YDSA to arrange your survey. Don't leave it until the week before you sail, as measurers and the Registries get very busy in the summer months!

Wherry Yacht White Moth

It was a pleasure to Survey White Moth today. She is a lovely old Yacht, and has great charm and character. She is one of the later wherry yachts to be completed, and she is a sister vessel to Olive and Norada. She is restored to full sailing order (with a few mod cons added!) and has been used for charter work since 1993, latterly with the Norfolk Broads Yachting Company.

Built in 1915 by Ernest Collins of Wroxham, WHITE MOTH is the last wherry yacht ever built. She was first sailed as a private yacht until being brought back into the Ernest Collins fleet in 1921, remaining there until 1956 when she was hired out as a houseboat.

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

Sumatra 815 Sports Cruiser

I Surveyed this Sumatra 815 Sports Cruiser today at Barnes of Brinkcraft in Wroxham on the Norfolk Broads. This is a very unusual marc… built in Poland. It will be interesting to see if anyone has more information on these cruisers, there is very little information available on the internet.

Surveyors comments

Not designed or built to the standards of the diesel US sports cruisers like the Searay or Glastron.

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 Ocean 38 Motor Yacht

Today I was at Brooms in Brundall Surveying this Broom 38. The Yacht Broker was Norfolk Boat Sales. The 38 was designed by Andrew Wolstenholme to bridge the gap between Broom's Offshore and Coastal ranges, resurrecting the hugely successful semi-displacement Broom and Ocean 37s. Equally at home at sea or on the inland waterways the 38 incorporates a good size keel which protects the rudders and propellors, gives good steering at slow speeds and has the added advantage of allowing the boat to take the ground in drying harbours.

The wide beam allows for the usual spacious Broom aft cabin, with en suite toilet and separate shower stall, a raised deck lounge plus dinette at galley level. A compact forward V-berth provides comfortable accommodation for occasional guests, with a second toilet adjacent. A sliding door to port provides access directly to the side decks.

The 38 was available with a single 135HP Perkins diesel for displacement speeds, but most boats were fitted with twin Volvo or Perkins engines between 135HP and 265HP each. This one was different and fitted with the Perkins Sabre M265TI diesels.

The Ocean 38 was renamed the Broom 38CL towards the end of its life to strengthen the Broom branding and bring it in line with the rest of the Coastal range.

Surveyors comments: Build Period was between 1997 and 2002 and I think they built around 60. A few years ago the Market Value was around £180,000 to £220,000. With changing times they are available now around £160,000... it’s a great time to buy.

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 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