Freeman 26

Today I spent the day at Mermaid Boatyard in Brundall on the South Norfolk Broads Surveying this Classic Cruiser for Insurance purposes.
Using the same hull as the Freeman 25, this Freeman 26's superstructure was developed from the Freeman 22 Mk2. Notice the return of the step in the deck and larger cabin windows. The Freeman 26 offers larger accommodation and together with the Freeman 22 Mk2 formed the back bone of what is generally known as the Freeman range.

Over 300 built between 1965 and 1973. They are ideal for the Broads, but most can be found on rivers, though they are cable of making passages in estuarial and sheltered coastal waters in fair weather.

The boats were fitted with a number of engine options from new. This model was fitted with the Perkins 4107 diesel. I have Surveyed some with twin Petrol’s.

 

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

Broadland Holiday 1954

Kayla promotes Broads lifejacket campaign

A nine year old girl who won a Broads Authority competition to promote its lifejacket campaign last year is back holidaying on the Broads with her grandparents this week.

Kayla Dyne from South Ockenden, Essex, is on holiday with her grandparents, George and Gloria Dyne, who have been holidaying on the Southern Broads for over 30 years.

For the last six years they have been hiring cruisers from Silverline Marine, run by Colin and Lesley Dye at Brundall.
Kayla entered a competition in the Broads Authority’s Broadcaster visitor magazine to design a badge or sticker carrying an important safety message.

She said: “It’s very important to wear a life jacket. If you don’t and you fall in you can get very hurt.”

The Broads Authority launched its Wear It safety campaign in April to warn boaters to wear life jackets after five people died while boating on the Broads last year. None of them was wearing a life jacket and it is believed that four of them might still be alive if they had been wearing one. Wear It posters are now displayed at boat yards around the Broads and hire boats have all been issued with keyrings displaying the safety message.

Kayla was presented with one of the keyrings, a Wear It wind-up torch and a Broads goody bag as her prize.
Kayla, who has been accompanying her grandparents for three years and is already selecting next year’s boat, says she loves the Broads because it is so “calm” and she loves being outdoors.

She is also a keen fisherwoman and has beaten her granddad in a contest by landing a 16-18lb pike at Coldham Hall, on the River Yare.
Gloria, 65, from Basildon in Essex, said they often came to the southern Broads twice a year.

“We just love it,” she said. “My husband is a driving instructor and he loves slowing down. It’s so peaceful and we love being on the water.”
George, 63, said: “I love the freedom and the friendliness of the people here. This yard is very special.”

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