Broom Skipper

Today’s assignment was to Survey this Broom Skipper at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Horning. They normally have more than 80 boats for sale on both their sites, the other being in Brundall. NYA are quite unique as all their new boats are sold under manufacturer's warranty and their company-owned stock boats are offered with a range of warranties.

This 'Skipper' variant of the Broom 30 was produced with a soft-top and hinge-down windscreen and sides to the wheelhouse/saloon to give an air draught suitable for the Upper Thames, the Broads and other cruising grounds with low bridges. On these models, the wheelhouse is smaller, with a larger saloon and galley aft.

Engines are mostly Perkins 4-cylinder diesels ranging from 35 to 70hp in either single or twin configurations. This one had the 4107 (Taxi) engine 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

Home built Ovni 395 Aluminium Yacht

I surveyed this home built Yacht yesterday down in Filby, North Norfolk. The Survey was requested by the owners insurance company prior to launch.
Cuckoo is a 12 meter aluminium sail boat which the owner had built over the past 5 years. She is built on the same lines as an Ovni 395 which were built by Alubot. Plates were 10mm on bottom and 6 mm on the sides and top. Engine was a 45 hp Perkins also running hydraulics for the engine and winch. She was sailed from Lowestoft as a hull before the owner started fitting her out at his business premises.

Now then... how do we move her out of here!

Rudder designed so the vessel can dry out on the North Norfolk beaches... perfect

Unique dagger boards that are lifted with winches so the Yacht can sit down on the beach

Have you ever seen Cruches so big.... the mast can be lowered by one person with a huge A frame... great design

Just checking the rigging!

An old Perkins 45HP bought in a box... had never been run... what a find!

Any ideas!

Surveyors comments: What can I say... a huge pat on the back for the owner I think.

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

　

Beechams of Tewkesbury Motor Yacht

I had a trip to Maldon in Essex on Friday to Survey this Motor vessel. A twin engine, Classic. This 40ft TSMY (twin screw motor yacht) was conceived by the renowned designer Leslie James and built by Beechams of Tewkesbury in 1963. In the commissioning of the design, Beecham asked for a boat, which could be equally "at home" on sheltered waters and in the turbulent Bristol Channel.She is currently undergoing a huge restoration project at M J Lewis & Son (BoatSales) Ltd in Maldon. Most of her decks, coach roof and cabin sides having to be replaced.

I will look forward to seeing her again nearer the end of her restoration.

A picture of her from a number of years ago

On the slip for a paint and antifoul

The Shipwrights at work

Lovely old yard at Maldon

Looks very old but actually quite new!

Lots of lovely old Yachts up for sale in Maldon

A view of the boat yard

Malvon back in the day

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

Colvic Sailer 26

The Colvic Sailer 26 hulls were moulded by Colvic Ltd., and sold in quite large numbers both to professional boatyards and to home completers for fitting out. One of the major builders using these hulls was Atlanta, who sold the resulting boat as the Atlanta 26.

The hulls have twin bilge keels moulded in as an integral part of the hull, with internal encapsulated ballast. These keels are near vertical, unlike the angled-out bolt-on iron keels found on yachts such as the Westerly Centaur. This made moulding easier but is less efficient under sail.

The saloon usually has the galley and a quarter berth to starboard, and a long settee berth with fold-out table to port. This one was unusual and the other way round. Saloon headroom is about 5' 8". As many boats were home completed to individual ideas, you will often find alternative layouts.

Huge crain at Bells Marine... could lift anything on the Broads!

Kubota 13HP diesel providing ample power...

Just hatched and a suspicious mum!

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

Bayliner 2452

I Surveyed this American Sports Cruiser today…the Bayliner 2452. This is the second time I have inspected this boat for pre-purchase.

This one has the 200HP Mercruiser fitted

Surveyors comments: The Bayliner as a make is similar to say Ford in the UK... ie mass market, knock them out and sell them cheap. They are also, I believe the number one boat in the world in terms of outright sales and brand recognition.

The hull quality, despite what some will tell you is very good, post 1995.. This boat was a 1995 model and at this period they used vynilester resin instead of polyester and it was much more resistant to Osmosis.

Where the costs have been shaved are in areas such as fixtures and fittings, toys and gadgets. The cabinetry will not be genuine cherry wood or teak and not be fitted as well as in other higher end makes. However Bayliners are pretty honest, reliable boats and represent good value for money.

The other good thing is because they are quite basic, you can customise her to your own taste without throwing away ££££££££s worth of functional but not the best fittings.

As far as seakeeping goes, it really is intended for short coastal trips within sight of land. Force 3 is probably the safe limit, force 4 will be getting a little interesting, force 5 and above and you may well be thinking seriously about when you last had your lifejacket serviced!

This one, if sold, will be used on Inland Waterways… American Sports Cruisers are becoming increasing popular on the Broads. Great layouts, modern looks, sociable cockpits, quite engines… I do get it!

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