International Dragon

Insurance Surveys

I had trip out to a barn in West Norwich yesterday to look at this International Dragon - a one-design keelboat for insurance purposes.

When you want to insure a boat, or have to renew an existing policy, your insurance company will need an Insurance Survey in order to determine its insurability for the intended use. This type of survey is often referred to as a Condition and Valuation Survey. The scope of an Insurance Survey approaches a Pre-Purchase Survey, but its focus is on structural integrity and safety and it is less detailed. An assessment of the boat's Fair Market Value is part of this type of survey. Insurance companies usually accept surveys made in the water without a haul-out or sea trial. Your insurance company may have its own requirements for what it considers an acceptable survey and boat owners are advised to consult with their insurance broker before commissioning the survey. An Insurance Survey requires several hours, depending on the complexity and condition of the boat. My survey report is similar to a report for a Pre-Purchase Survey, but somewhat less detailed.

The Dragon was designed by Norwegian Johan Anker in 1929. In 1948 the Dragon became an Olympic Class, a status it retained until the Munich Olympics in 1972. The Dragon's long keel and elegant metre-boat lines remain unchanged, but today Dragons are constructed using the latest technology to make the boat durable and easy to maintain. GRP construction was introduced in 1973 and the rigging has been regularly updated.

The Dragon Class is actively represented in over 26 countries in 5 Continents. There were 1444 boats registered in 2004 and the number of boats built has averaged 45 per year. There are many more which are used for day sailing or cruising. The World Championships are held in every odd year and the European Championships are held annually. The Gold Cup, which can only be held in certain specified European countries, is unique in that all six races count without discard. It is held annually and often attracts over 100 entries, usually starting in one fleet.

A strong Class Association manages the class rules carefully to ensure safety, high quality and uniformity. Spars and sails have a wide range of adjustment during racing, allowing a skillful crew to optimize the boat for any conditions. Crew weight limits, and restrictions on hiking out allow the Dragon to be raced successfully by a range of ages and genders. It is possible to trail the Dragon behind many four-wheel drive vehicles. It is often dry-sailed. It may be raced against boats of other classes, employing a Portsmouth Yardstick handicap of 986[1] or a D-PN of 89.5.[2]

Since 2008 the Dragon is one of the Vintage Yachting Classes at the
Vintage Yachting Games.

Broads volunteers needed for Breydon

A new opportunity has arisen for local people to help look after the remote and wildlife rich areas of Breydon Water and Haddiscoe Island.

The Broads Authority wants to recruit half a dozen volunteers to support its rangers in patrolling the Breydon area both on land and water. They will be involved in patrolling the waterways, carrying out minor maintenance work, mowing and brush cutting, assisting the public, and helping with emergencies, events, educational activities and small conservation projects.

In return for necessary training the Ranger Volunteers will be expected to offer a minimum of two days assistance a month throughout the year. The work will be based at Great Yarmouth Yacht Station, Tar Works Road.

They will be joining an army of 150 highly valued volunteers who help the Broads Authority achieve its goals in maintaining and conserving the Broads.

This opportunity has arisen since the Broads Authority took over the management of Breydon Water and the Lower Bure from Great Yarmouth Port Authority last June. Since then the Authority has begun a programme of work to improve safety for boaters and is carrying out year round patrolling.

The role description and the link to the online application process are available on http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/authority/volunteer/volunteer-vacancies.

If you would like to speak to a ranger about the role before you apply you can contact the Breydon Rangers -- Steve Williams on 07768 086399 or Kye Rodriguez on 07733 123883.

Applications should be submitted via the Broads Authority volunteer vacancy web page by Friday 1st February. Interviews will be held on Saturday 9th February at the Priory Centre, Priory Plain, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1NW.

Broom 29

Today’s job was at Broom Boats in Brundall carrying out a Pre-purchase Survey o this Broom 29 built in 1996. This semi displacement Andrew Worlstenholme designed river cruiser came in 2 forms either hard top with wheelhouse or as this example full cockpit and folding hood. The spacious open plan interior offers 4 berths within the cabin with features such as hot water, heating, bow thruster, shower and fridge.

She is the baby of the Broom range, the 29 is a medium powered displacement cruiser designed mainly as a river boat but with a capacity for estuary cruising. They are popular on the Broads as well as other river systems with restricted air draught.

The compact accommodation provides a double cabin forward as well as an occasional single berth in the saloon sofa. The roomy aft cockpit doubles up as living space with the provision of a good quality canopy.

The standard single engine for the 29 ST is a 35HP 4.150HE Nanni diesel, see pic below, although larger engines up to 62HP are also possible.

Surveyors comments: Great access on this model for inspection. There’s a second access trap on the cockpit floor which alows you to see behind all the tankage, steering gear, and all the other equipment. Good Aquafibre hull, strong and thick. Maybe slightly under powered for estuary work but quite capable for Broads use. Might be worth choosing your tides for crossing Brayden Water.

Boats of the week

Next weeks bookings are rolling in nicely....

Right up my street!...Private Survey for Insurance- plus a BSS test. The Dragon was designed by Norwegian Johan Anker in 1929. Reminds me of a Brown Boat here on the Broads...

Pre-purchase Survey at Broom Boats. A nice looking example of the popular Broom 29.

The most popular design on the Broads. A pre-purchase Survey on this Bermuda 34 for Boatshed Norfolk.com

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? Call Insight Marine Surveys Ltd. 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

 

Bavaria 40

I had trip down to Bradwell on Sea in Essex yesterday to Survey this 42 foot Yacht. The Bavaria 40 /42C3 is from Germany’s largest production sailboat builder, Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH. The company builds a complete line of J&J-designed, performance cruisers from 31 to 50 feet and three center-cockpit blue water designs, including the Ocean 40, not to be confused with the aft-cockpit Bavaria 40.

Bradwel Marina in Essex

The sacrifical anode was replaced while the vessel was out of the water......

The reason for Bavaria’s success in the marketplace is value. A new, well-equipped 40-footer delivered UK will cost less than £130, 000. And this is for a high-quality, nicely appointed boat that sails beautifully. The value becomes readily apparent as you stroll around a major boat show like London 2013 and pit the Bavaria 40 against its competitors. How do they do it? By marrying an old-fashioned economic principle with state-of-the-art technology.

While many sailboat manufacturers are limiting production and charging more for boats built to order, Bavaria is taking another tack by churning out boats and keeping prices low. The company has invested in computer-aided manufacturing equipment that has streamlined the production process. Bavaria employs special tools for cutting not only the interior wood sections (other builders do this as well), but also for edge trimming and finish cutouts on the deck. This process reduces man-hours per boat significantly, and the company passes the savings on to the consumer.

Surveyors comments: The Bavaria combines excellent German engineering, versatile sailing characteristics and comfortable accommodations in an affordable package.