Marine Surveyor on the Norfolk Broads.

My services are totally unique in the Surveying world as I guarantee a ‘24 hour delivery’ of a personalised and comprehensive survey in PDF (electronic) format with a bound quality hard copy on request, and i carefully construct a choice of survey options to meet my client's needs.

 
 
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

 

Aquafibre 32

I had a trip to Horning on the Northern Broads today to Survey this Motor Cruiser for Pre-Purchase.

The Aquafibre Sapphire 32 was launched in 1983 as the charter version of the popular Broom 32 production model. It is the smaller sister of the Crystal 37, generally configured as a 4+2 berth and can instantly be identified because of the much smaller cabin moulding projecting upwards onto the flybridge area. This model was very popular at home in the Norfolk hirefleets, and a large number were built for Ireland and other markets. It is often considered to have slightly more elegant lines than its larger sister, mainly because of the differences to the aft cabin.

Aquafibre was founded at Neatishead, Norfolk in the 1960's by a consortium of local boat-builders. The majority shareholders were Robert Richardson and John Linford, who had 30% equity each. The remainder was divided between Martin Broom (Broom Boats), Rip Martins (later of Martins Plastics), Vicktor Bell (Bell Boats), David Millbank (Jenners of Thorpe) and Dawncraft of Wroxham. Dawncraft soon sold their share to David Millbank. John Linford was tragically killed in a light aircraft crash and his share was sold to Martin Broom. Rip Martins also sold his share around the same time.

Robert Richardson felt that he was the main customer of the business and so sold his share to Martin Broom around 1975 to embark on his own operation. Aquafibre was often identified as being Broom's 'sister' company and almost all of their boats up until 2009 were moulded at Wendover Road.

Aquafibre also provided mould development and consultancy services for many other major boatbuilders as well as producing their extensive range of models from the Rackheath facility.

Sadly, in May 2009 the vast Wendover Road site at Rackheath closed its doors for the very last time. Production of sister company Broom's mouldings moved entirely to their Brundall site.

As a point of info Haines no longer use any Broom mouldings products.

The staff at Ferry Marine lifting her out. Very professional set up now at Ferry Marine. The guys are always on time and pressure wash the hull as part of the lift.

Surveyors comments:

This hull had the epoxy-copper anti-fouling gel-coat that had been applied from new. Its developed in the mould application during the manufacture. It produces a hard, abrasion and damage resistant surface that repels fouling and is self cleaning. It also has anti OSMOSIS qualities. It has an ultra smooth surface has low friction against water that results in higher speed and reduced fuel consumption when compared to conventional antifouling. Its quite common on Broads built boats…. I see it regularly on some of the later Broom boats.


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

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.”