Buying a Cruiser Class on the Norfolk Broads

I had a trip out to Crown Cruisers Yacht Station in Lowestoft today. I Surveyed this Broads Cruiser again built by Applegate’s on a Jack Powles hull back in 1932. In the 1930’s, the Applegate’s yard built a series of yachts, all of which were mahogany-planked and bright varnished, giving a distinctive appearance.

General advice: Opening Up Concealed areas within a hull are always a problem but, most wood vessels are constructed in such a way that enough access is available to make a fair assessment. It is usually possible to pull up floors (such as screwed in place plywood panels and the like) and remove enough panelling that one can get a fairly good glimpse of the bottom and lower sides. Carrying an electric screw gun is a must in order to do this quickly and effectively.

Thinking of buying a Broads Yacht.... drop me an email at steventruss1@aol.com I will be happy to chat....

Cored hulls on boats



The risk of water entry into a cored bottom boat is obvious to most experienced boat owners. All it takes is for one improperly made screw hole to turn a boat bottom into mush. Take a look at the above photo that illustrates the results of what happens when water gets into a core. What you see there is the bottom chamber of the boat hull that was in the process of completely disintegrating. The reason is that once water gets into a core, a phenomenon called hydraulic erosion takes place. Due to the slamming and pounding of the hull bottom on the sea surface, water contained within a core will be compressed by the flexing laminate structure. Thus, the bottom literally becomes a diaphragm pump.

 

Bounty 34 Soverign

Yesterdays assignment was to Survey this Sovereign Sunbridge 34 for Pre Purchase.

The Sovereign range was one of the last designs by Bounty. The Sunbridge 34 version was built as both a dual helm model, featuring both external helm and a second located in the central saloon, and single helm models. The single helm had just the external helm, with folding canopy over. The galley and forward bathroom layouts changed as did the saloon layout which offered an even more sociable area with additional seating space.

Bounty Boats was formed by Mike Brister, and in 1968 was sold to Peter Brown. At the time the company was a small hirefleet of assorted craft, based at Brundall on the Norfolk Broads.

Sunbridge 34, Standard Dimensions:

Length: 34ft (10.39m)
Beam: 12ft 4‘ (3.77m)
Draft: 2ft 6‘ (0.76m)
Airdraft: 2.6m
Displacement: 6.6 tons

Marine Surveyor Norfolk Broads

Welcome to Insight Marine Surveys Ltd

I have been Surveying boats since 1995. By 2013 I have completed over 3000 surveys, which included 100's of types of sail and power boats. Being based in East Anglia on the Norfolk Broads in South East England I also specialise in Inland Cruisers, Ex Hire Boats and Classic Timber Motor Boats and Yachts.

I provide a range of Marine Surveys including Pre-Purchase Surveys, Hull Surveys, Systems Surveys, Sea Trials, Insurance Surveys, Valuation Reports, Boat Safety Scheme Examinations and Finance Surveys. 

 

http://www.insightmarinesurveyors.co.uk/

Battery cables - sizes

Even with boats with BSS certificates, I keep seeing small cables connected to batteries. Might be worth checking yours this winter!

CABLE (master switch in positive wire) MIN. SIZE
Master switch(1) to starter battery 25mm sq
Master switc...h(1) to starter solenoid 25mm sq
Starter battery to engine negative post 25mm sq
Engine negative post to alternator 10mm sq
Alternator to blocking diode 10mm sq
Blocking diode to batteries 10mm sq
Master switch(2) to service batteries 25mm sq
Master switch (2) to blocking diode 10mm sq
Master switch (2) to distribution box 10mm sq
Services negative post to service battery 10mm sq

 

 

Asking for trouble!

This shore power cable was live...

Batteries - gas- some thought required!