Sheerline 740 Forward Steer.

I had a visit to Sheerline Boats at Thorpe in Norwich on Friday. This was one of their early boats they were renovating for a new owner. She was built in 1985. They are quite rare these little forward steer Sheerline 740’s and don’t come on the market that often. It is a superb day cruiser or converts to a most comfortable overnight boat.

The boys at Sheerline busy polishing the hull ready for the hand over.

The forward helm position has twin sliding overhead canopies for all weather cruising and the craft's height and width make the majority of the UK inland waterways available. This boat originally had one roof, but Sheerline have divided into two to give the boat a more modern feel and it represents the twin roof version of their newer models.

The newer model they are producing has two interior layouts - Flair and Finesse. Both have a fully equipped galley and a shower and toilet compartment to provide full comfort facilities. The Flair option could be considered a day boat for up to 12 people, converting to occasional use as an overnight boat with berths for two people - either as two singles or a large double. The Finesse option is a mid-engined craft and overnight accommodation is achieved with a fixed double berth in the aft cabin. The forward saloon has a high quality wrap-around settee that converts to an additional double berth.

Take a look at their website for more details:

http://www.sheerlinemotorcruisers.com/pages/index

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

Hampton Safari Mk III

I surveyed another little Hampton Safari River Cruiser yesterday. I’m always impressed by these little Broads Cruisers and I totally understand why they are so popular… they are the perfect floating caravan and very affordable.

Please search my Blog (box top left) for the Safari History and other various models i have inspected over the years.

Surveyors comment:

Prices vary…. Boat prices have slumped since the recession, but still expect to pay 18K for a beauty. 12K will find you an ex hire needing some TLC.

They always seem to have a few blisters (osmosis) on the bottom, but don’t worry to much. Ive never seen one with blisters that have reached serious proportions that would affect the structural integrity of the boat.... the hulls thick and well built.

Its always worth pulling up all the floor boards and checking all the softwood floor joists for any rot.

Water test the window seals with a hose pipe. They can be expensive to remove and restore.

Walk around the decks, foredeck and coach roofs. They should be solid underfoot.

Mk II versions… check the sliding roof has not cracked in the corners.

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 30 Coupe Event

Norfolk Boat Sales and Broom Boats are delighted to announce that the new Broom 30 Coupe will be on show at a preview event at the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club on Saturday 18th August.

Taking place from 12 noon until 6pm, the event will provide an opportunity to look round two of Broom’s newest boats, as well as to enjoy a cream tea or glass of wine, along with entertainment from a popular local blues band.

The Broom 30 Coupe exemplifies the very best of British boatbuilding and shows how Broom Boats are leading the way in modern styling and innovative design. With low air draught and compact design, the 30 Coupe is ideally suited to the inland waterways, and provides all the luxury of a bigger boat in an affordable 30 foot model.

Also on show will be the Broom 370. This latest aft cabin model demonstrates cutting edge technology and contemporary styling whilst upholding Broom Boats’ reputation for quality.

For more information or to secure your place please email Janine or Mathew at sales@norfolkboatsales.co.uk or call 01603 711811.

Broom 30 Coupe Key features • Triple skylights across saloon, galley and forward cabin • Contemporary interior design throughout • Comfortable 'relax and view' seat on foredeck • Large bonded windows give light and airy interior • Low air draft - ideally suited to inland waterways • Luxurious double berth owner's cabin • Spacious cockpit for entertaining

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

　
　
　

Classic River Cruiser for Sale

I had the pleasure of Surveying this Classic River Cruiser today.

‘Glitterwake’ is a real survivor, and has great charm and character. She was built by the famous Jack Powles of Wroxam on the Norfolk Broads in 1937. She is a registered small ship no: 164175, built of mahogany on oak. She had a major rebuild in 1991 in Oulton Broad. The new owner Mr. Lodge who is a competent boat builder has spent the last two years working on her at Wayford Bridge and has replaced the deck as well as approximately 250 feet of new mahogany planking. She’s now in immaculate condition and up for sale at the end of the season. The new owner could be involved in the last few months of the refit, and having a say in the last few fittings, furniture, carpets and curtains etc.

Power is a BMC 2.5 Commander 50HP diesel.

Offers around 48K....

Email Andrew at marion.lodge@keme.co.uk for more information... he has tons of history, pictures and original paperwork.

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

　

Increase in Broads tourism could have knock on effect

Visitors to the Broads increased by 4.2% last year to 7.4 million with a 2% increase in spending and jobs in the tourism sector.

The 2011 figures released by STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor), the leading model for calculating the volume and value of tourism, show that visitors spent £469 million compared to £437 million in 2010. Jobs dependent on tourism rose from 6,236 to 6,367. There were 7.1 million visitors in 2010.

Bruce Hanson, the Broads Authority’s tourism officer, said that the tourism figures had shown a steady rise year on year.“Tourism in the Broads has held up well in an extremely difficult economic climate and we should be very proud of this result,” he said. “This is a tribute to the extremely hard work of many people in the Broads holiday industry who have pulled together and paid particular attention to the need to continually improve the quality of the Broads tourism offer. The efforts of Broads businesses, working closely with the Broads Authority, have resulted in everyone becoming a winner—the businesses, the environment and the visitors.”Mr Hanson strongly believes tourism drives the economy of the Broads and that this success will have a knock-on effect to the wider community.“The challenge is to maintain this momentum,” he said. “Broads Tourism, the organisation representing Broads businesses, is committed to this agenda and I am confident it will continue to ensure the prosperity of the region.”

Barbara Greasley, Chairman of Broads Tourism, said: “I have been extremely encouraged by the findings of the STEAM report. Over the last few years Broads businesses have really identified the need to maintain and improve the quality of our tourism offer. This has resulted in a great deal of investment being made by individual businesses. These results show that all the investment and hard work has been worthwhile.”