New Broads patrol boat launched

The Broads Authority’s new heavy weather patrol boat, designed to cope with the challenges of Breydon Water, was launched at the boatyard which built it - Goodchild Marine of Burgh Castle, right on the doorstep of Breydon.

The need for a new heavy duty patrol and work boat fit to ride 5 ft waves arose when the Authority took over responsibility for Breydon Water last year and committed to year round patrols.

The Authority’s river launches have neither the sea-keeping qualities nor speed for satisfactory patrols which respond to emergency calls from the Maritime Coastguard in all weathers, including fog.

Yards from all over the country responded to the Authority’s tender offering a variety of new, second-hand and adapted craft. But the best boat at the best price was found at the yard where the Authority’s river launches are already maintained.

The new launch, ‘Spirit of Breydon’ has been specially adapted to the Authority’s requirements from a premoulded 33ft AquaBell Trojan hull and superstructure, a proven pilot boat designed for use up to 60 miles offshore.

The £115,000 vessel has a low wash hull and cruises economically at 6 knots with a sprint speed of 20 knots. It has accommodation for a crew of two and seating for half a dozen visitors, a toilet, and a galley. It also has a working area capable of recovering floating debris via a side door. It includes VHF radio, a depth sounder, radar and is powered by a low emission engine.

The launch is part of a £300,000 investment in Breydon Water to make the crossing safer and more enjoyable for boaters. Clearer channel marking, new lay by moorings for boats waiting to catch low tide, new gauge boards at the bridges and a survey and study of the water flows to decide the future of the Turn Tide Jetty at the mouth of the Rivers Yare and Waveney are all part of the package.

Norman 266

I had a day at Southgate’s Boatyard in Horning on Friday Surveying this Norman 266 Motor Cruiser.

All the boats at Southgates have now been transferred to Martham Boats to augment their existing fleet, so at least they are in good hands.The sheds are now used for hardstanding and servicing boats...

Norman Boats business started in Shaw Lancs, then moved to Isherwood Street in Heywood Lancs then back to a new site in Shaw. Other factories were added (Royton and Heywood) and the business expanded into manufacturing windows and windscreens under the name of North West Windows Ltd at our Heywood factory. They also made boat canopies, upholstery, tents etc under the name of North West Marine Trimmers Ltd at our Padiham - Lancashire factory. At the same factory they also made boat trailers (Speedmaster Trailers). At the height of the business 1971 -1973 the business employed around 200 people (approx 120 in boatbuilding) We employed around 70 glassfibre laminators of which around 30 were female.

This later 266 model was the new era of design for Norman . The cockpit was built right out to the hull sides to maximise the space available. The boat was only produced for a short time in the early 80s. This modern design offered an open plan design and there was an option of an additional 2 single quarter berths at the aft end of the cockpit. This set of mouldings went on to become the Bates Astral and the highly successful Shetland 27. The semi displacement hull handles well at low speeds. The engine fitted in this example was a 150HP Volvo on a sterndrive.

Broom 30

I had a return visit to Broom Boats in Brundall today to Survey this Broom 30 … a 1970’s model. Sharing the same round-bilged GRP hull as the Ocean 30, designed by Mr R.M. "Rip" Martins who was a naval architect, the Broom 30 is distinguished by its midships wheelhouse saloon, with sliding doors on both sides. The superstructure and interior were designed by Mr Martin Broom and four pre-1968 boats had a mahogany superstructure and teak-laid deck, after which time the construction was all GRP. Wooden uprights in the forward windscreen and wooden wheelhouse door frames were also phased out in later models.

Most people are surprised by the spaciousness of the interior, which provides four single berths in two cabins, a wheelhouse/saloon with a convertible settee and sunroof, two bathrooms and a 'corridor' galley. Some boats like this example have had a helm position retro-fitted to the aft cabin roof, behind the wheelhouse/saloon, increasing air draught to 9ft.

Engines are mostly Perkins 4-cylinder diesels ranging from 35 to 70hp in either single or twin configurations. This had the larger 4.236 70HP option on a single shaft. The difference in top speeds between these is only about 1 knot.

Hardy Seawings

I Surveyed this stylish looking Cruiser this morning. Hardy's flagship 285 Seawings model first appeared in public at the 1991 Earls Court Boat Show. Andrew Wolstenholme, the famous Norfolk designer was responsible for the overall styling and lines…a really well built boat. This one was unusual and had twin King Cobra American diesel engines…

Lifting her out at Ferry Marina...

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Bounty 34 Sedan

I was working at Norfolk Yacht Agency today Surveying this Broads Cruiser for Pre-Purchase.

Launched at the end of the 1970s, the Traveller is best known as the Bounty 34 Sedan. A sleek craft with comfortable accommodation nicely laid out through three cabins.

There is a large rear cockpit housing the engine and hydraulic drive. The cabin is entered through twin sliding doors into the combined saloon and galley which are light and airy due the glazed patio doors and large windows all round. Forward of this there are nicely proportioned sleeping cabins and bathroom.

A small number were built with a flybridge on the roof. I must admit im yet to see one.

A cold day at the office!!

More detail can be found in the Model Brochure
Surveyors comments:

Older Bounty boats ‘can’ suffer from window leaks! These leaks usually develop because the seal between the window frame and the fiberglass part of the boat has broken. The break in the seal can be so small that you can't even see it. This is because of the capillary effect, which draws water into the smallest of cracks and more or less acts as a water pump to keep bringing water in. Its also why water can enter at one point and be coming out somewhere else, perhaps two feet away from the source of the leak.

Its also worth removing the patio door on this model and resealing it. A cockpit cover would be a sensible option once these vessels go into private ownership.
This was a completely new design for Bounty Boats and in my opinion shes an attractive, stylish, solid built hull. Im surprised not more were built. I’ve only Surveyed a couple over the last 12 years.

If your reading this BLOG and are after buying one of these rare boats, it will be worth contacting Chris Cooper at Norfolk Yacht Agency and see if he knows if there are any on the Broads up for sale.