Thinking about buying or insuring a boat in Preveza Greece??

Friday, 21 June 2013

Haines 31 Sedan

I spent the morning with Norfolk Yacht Agency in Horning Surveying this Haines 31 yesterday.


Colour coordination with the crew at Ferry Marine lol…time to give her a ‘wash off’ before carrying out some scrape samples….








Haines Marine are one of the most respected boatbuilding companies on the Norfolk Broads. A family run company based only 5 minutes from my home in Ingham, founded in 1980 by Bob and Mary Haines. They offer a bespoke service for new boats in every respect, trips to their factory to monitor the build, to choose the details of your boat and to follow its progress through the construction.

This older 1996 model was built on the Aquafibre hull. Many of these Aquafibre mouldings do the rounds one way or another and sometimes it's difficult to tell who's version is whos! Sheerline, Haines, Brooms, Aquafibre plus I think Falcon with a Renaissance also used the hull moulding.

Surveyors comment:
I have inspected dozens of these boats over the years and I cant remember one with any structural issues. The gelcoat on the underbody is usually pristine with no signs of any osmosis.

Surveyors Engine Running Checks:

Allow the engine to warm up slowly. Never apply full throttle to a cold engine! Check that the cooling water is circulating - Look over the side to make sure it's discharging. Check the oil pressure, engine temperature regularly and that the battery is charging. Check the stern gland and all seacock hose connections for leaks. Check the engine visually for signs of fuel leaks, overheating and excessive vibration. Before stopping the engine allow it to idle a few minutes to cool down.

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
 

Monday, 17 June 2013

Boat sales up!


It feels like there is a significant sales increase this summer. Im definitely seeing a boost in traffic in the aftermath of the worst of the recession. Lots of people are in search for replacement boats. Things can some times go quiet once the seasons started, but not this year… just had my fourth booking in today.

Fairline 50 with Boatshed Norfolk.

Broom Commander with Boatshed Norfolk.

Alpha 39 with Norfolk Yacht Agency.

Elysian 34 Private sale in Cambridge.

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







Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Finesse 24

I had a trip to Fakenham today up near the North Norfolk Coast to Survey this little Yacht.

 
The owner having a 'clean off'' before applying some new antifouling paint
 
 
 
 


The Finesse 24, which was first launched in 1968, was conceived at a time when wooden boats, and particularly clinker ones, were falling from favour, glassfibre being the material of choice. They’re also solidly built, of good-quality materials, and, in the majority of cases, have been well maintained by their owners. The Finesse 24 is a development of the Finesse 21, which boatbuilder Alan Platt started building in 1961. The design had been produced by a friend, Laurie Harbottell, who wanted a cruiser for sailing in the shoal waters of the East Coast, and it proved to be such a head-turner that Platt went on to build over 80 more. Demand for a bigger version resulted in the Finesse 24 in 1968. The 24-footer is distinctive in style, with a full-bodied hull, pretty swept sheer, broad transom and perky bowsprit, and is every bit an East Coast cruiser, heavily influenced by the shoal-draught designs of Maurice Griffiths.
Surveyors comments: The hulls are so durable being made of top quality Iroko (a type of Teak) a very well built Yacht. Keep your eye on the deck sheathing,. The rate of deterioration and requirement for routine repair will increase with the degree of wear. The rate of wear varies considerably and is dependent on such items as the degree of wear and tear from feet, scrubbing brushes and exposure to sunlight / heat.