Hunter Horizon 26

I had a trip out to Loddon on the South Broads today to Survey this Hunter Horizon Yacht for pre-purchase. The Hunter Horizon 26 is a David Thomas design for Hunter Boats, intended to be a slightly larger, more cruising-orientated version of the 25 foot Hunter Delta, itself a development of the very successful Hunter Sonata 24 foot one design cruiser-racer.

Introduced in 1984, the Horizon 26 design was one of the first small British-built boat to have what was then the unusual feature of an aft cabin and aft heads. The design was a success, with about 160 built in four years, and led on to the later Horizon 27, 272 and 273 variants. Although fin and lift-keel Horizon 26s were built, the majority were twin bilge keeled, these twin keels being fairly deep and giving good performance under sail. The Horizon 26 design remained in production until 1988.

The Horizon 26 was designed to have the choice of an outboard in a cockpit well, typically 6 to 9 hp, or a small inboard engine - usually a 9 hp Yanmar like this version.

 

 

If an inboard is fitted it is often a Yanmar 1GM. The alternative outboard is fitted in a well in the port side cockpit locker. As this means this cockpit locker is of little use for fenders etc. the under-companionway space occupied by an inboard become locker space

 

Marine Surveyors operating across Ireland

I was back at work today carrying out this Marine Survey on the River Shannon.

This was a one off from Haines. A 36 footer based on the Elegance model, like a mini 42 version. This was a boat for all the family with a 6 berth layout, or all the live-aboard comfort you would need in one open-plan.

Powered by a single Nanni 62hp, she has hydraulic bow and stern thrusters, 240v shore power, battery charger and inverter and a superb upper deck.

Surveyors comments: Haines have an excellent reputation for build quality and I can never fault them after Surveying dozens of different models. Choice is everything when buying your new Haines, from hull color to layout, or from the color of the window blinds to the number of drawers in your master cabin. Haines will expertly customise your craft to accommodate your every need.

Thinking of Buying a Boat in Ireland 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

More History on Raisena

'Raisena' was built in 1932 by Herbert Woods at Potter Heigham and was the first Bermudan-rigged cruiser which he built for private ownership. Herbert Woods was a great believer in the qualities of Bermudan over the traditional gaff, and was responsible for changing 'Madie's' rig when she was owned by him in 1938..

'Raisena's' first owner was Sir Alexander Rouse, a civil engineer who spent much of his working life in India, and came to East Anglia when he retired. He had been responsible for building a large part of New Delhi, and named his boat after a town that had previously existed on the site of the new city. During the 1950 's. 'Raisena' was based at Oulton Broad, where she was raced and cruised by the builder, undertaker and water-diviner, Billy Youngs and his family.

Billy Youngs was one of the great characters of the Broads, who could hold a pub audience spell-bound with his anecdotes relating to his profession and his sailing exploits. In those days the boat was exceptionally well furnished, with comfortable arm chairs, settee beds and even a bureau.

After a brief period in the ownership of Geoff Priest, she was sold in the early sixties to Mr and Mrs Victor Hoyle, who maintained her beautifully and loved her dearly. She was cruised by them but hardly ever raced. Her present owner, Martin Broom, bought her in 1972. He has refined her appearance by shortening the length of the cabin, and her performance by reducing the surplus weight, including the heavy cruising gear installed for the convenience of previous owners. Amongst this was the powered mast winch, a Saunders Roe outboard (rare and interesting item, this) and a quantity of loose furniture. Modifications to her sail plan and Martin's general tuning of the boat, together with his expert helmsmanship have made her the fastest all-round cruiser in the Class.

Martin's attitude towards cruiser racing is reminiscent of those early owners of the big-class yachts in the pre-war years when life revolved around the regattas and boats were towed from place to place with the sole objective of winning races - or at least getting first gun. This approach may not be approved of by some, but even critics must admire the way in which the biggest and most powerful Broads Cruiser is handled today.

Racing Over the past ten years, 'Raisena' has been the most successful of all cruisers - winning the Coronation Cup, Claret Jug, Wroxham and Oulton Week trophies, and being the fastest boat over the Yare Navigation Race course. Like most of the larger cruisers, she is best handled in a light to fresh breeze.

In very light conditions she will sometimes come off second best to 'Ladybird' and 'Achievement', and in a heavy blow to the smaller boats which come into their own in that condition.

For me, as someone who has raced against 'Raisena' since the early fifties, there is no more awe-inspiring sight than that great hull and tremendous spread of sail roaring up on a broad reach in a fresh breeze and being sailed to its full capacity. The sight of 'Raisena' with 'Ladybird' and 'Cirrus' racing in close competition gives us now some conception of the days when 'Madie', 'Bonito', 'Queen Mab' and their like competed so fiercely.



　

Connoisseur 1070FB

Today’s assignment was at Richardson’s at Stalham, just 14 miles from both Norwich and Great Yarmouth, this site covers some 20 acres and is the largest Norfolk Broads boat base.

They often have ex-hire boats for sale, or sometimes like in this case if you’re after something particular they may pull one out of the fleet for you to buy.

This Connoisseur 1070FB was created for Connoisseur’s European bases. Sometimes known of as Merchant - a name Le Boat/Connoisseur used for the class for the last few years they hired them.

Around eight were produced and four were bought by Richardsons and brought back to Norfolk, early 2011 to become “Astral Gems”.

The class features the same forward arrangement as the 900FB but has a double and bunk cabin aft. They were built with a second toilet though those that have been brought back now feature one shower room & one toilet.
 

Unusual ….but they make the perfect floating holiday home!

Senior 23

I was working alongside Pam Damji, owner and Managing Director of Broadland Yacht Brokers Ltd yesterday. I was Surveying this John Bennett designed Senior 23 Motor Cruiser for a purchaser.

Senior Marine of Southampton built about 250 of these compact Cruisers between 1966 and 1978, most of them in bare hull form for completion by individuals or other boat yards. Eastwood Marines Eastwood 24 and Marina Boats Marina 23 were both based on the Senior hull.

They were sold for use on rivers, estuaries or sheltered waters. They make a great little starter boat for the Norfolk Broads.

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