Sealine F44

I spent the morning looking over this Sealine F44 at Brundall today. Built in 1998, she powered effortlessly on the speed trial with her 370HP Volvo engines. 

The standard of fibreglass moulding is impressive. There are lots of curves and rakish lines that fall somewhere between flybridge cruiser and mini-motoryacht.

A high-volume production boatbuilder, Sealine uses galvanised iron beams for the engine bearers and sub-floor structure. Longitudinals are glassed-in and run well forward for rigidity.

The Sealine F44 is built to Design Category B, which means that according to the book it can withstand Force 8 winds (near gale at 34-40kt) and waves up to 4m high!

Surveyors comments: I found that on the river trail and speed run the low centre of gravity leads to nice seahandling and you can count on British engineering to get you home.

Fairline Targa 33

Hoping the rain keeps off today for the 'Speed Trial' on this FAIRLINE TARGA 33 Cruiser at Brundall. Always been impressed with this model - the hull has pedigree, as it hails from Bernard Olesinski, the naval architect behind all Fairline (and Princess) boats. It should have British racing-car-like performance!

It all began when Jack T Newington, known always as ‘JT', was searching for an inland base for his own boat. He stumbled upon a disused site on the River Nene at Oundle, near Peterborough, but soon realised its commercial potential. First he converted the pits into a marina before adding a slipway, workshop and chandler's in 1964. Oundle Marina Ltd was born.

When the young company was offered the moulds to a craft called a Fairline 19 in 1967, JT saw another opportunity to expand his business. The snug little daycruiser and its derivatives proved an instant hit, with over 700 being sold in its eight-year production run.

In 1969, the Fairline 19 was joined by a Fury 25, designed by John Bennett, the most prolific boat designer of the time. This was a genuine, if unusual, offshore cruiser - the single helm was set into the cabin top, and was accessed by a set of offset moulded stairs.

In 1971, JT's son, Sam Newington, a former fighter pilot and business graduate, came on board, and changed the name of the company to Fairline Boats to better identify it with the craft it was building.

John Bennett's relationship with the firm was also further established, after he was commissioned to design a 22ft sportscruiser, which would become the Holiday.

But it wasn't until the Bennett-designed Phantom 32 hit the market in 1974 that Fairline was truly recognised as one of the big players in the vanguard of GRP builders. The seven-berth Phantom 32 remained in production for 13 years, with more than 600 built.

From the late 1970s to the early 80s, Fairline began to assert their iron grip on the market with a couple of classic designs: the Fairline 40, which was in production for a record 11 years, and the very first Targa.

The Targa, which celebrated its 20th birthday in 2005, has proved to be a highly significant contributor to the company's growth, spawning enduring models like the Targa 38, Targa 52 and the 44 Gran Turismo.

In the early 1990s Fairline made their move into the larger yacht market with the first boat in the now-renowned Squadron series, the innovative and stylish 62. Those ideas were gradually filtered down into the more affordable models in the Squadron 55 and the Squadron 43.



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 

Bounty Sovereign Sedan 34

Yesterdays assignment was to Survey this Bounty Sovereign Sedan for Pre Purchase.

The Sovereign range was one of the last designs by Bounty. The Sedan 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.

As with many of the Sovereign range, the moulds are now used by other manufacturers which can make identifying those produced by Bounty more difficult.

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.

Surveyors comments: These are very popular cruisers. Ideal for the European canals, Ireland and also perfect for the Norfolk Broads. They don’t stay on Brokerage for very long and also don't come cheap. A 1998 version still holds 70K. 

Classic Broads Yacht

I had the chance to Survey another classic Broads Yacht today at Martham Boats. "Aerial" was built by Leo Robinson of Oulton Broad back in the early 30’s. Originally part of a Broads hire fleet (and she is included in the 1936 Blake’s catalogue). 

Any more information on her history from readers would be appreciated. Was she really built for the Hire Fleet, or was she built for a private owner? Some of her curves just look to good for a hireboat... and 'round windows'! 

Martham sheds 'cram packed' as usual for this time of year...

Paradise for the wooden boat enthusiasts 

The original Baby Blake! 

The Robinsons boatyard became one of the established names in boat hire business during the first quarter of the 20th century. By the 1930s, motor cruisers had also begun to be added to the hire fleets in increasing numbers and other well known yards at Oulton Broad included W.S. Parker and A. Fuller. Leo Robinson had a good name for himself and also expanded his business, running the large general stores along Bridge Road and operating what must have been one of the largest hire fleets on the Broads before WW2. He produced many promotional postcards which proudly showed off his fleet, such as the one seen here which dates from the 1930s.

Surveyor’s comments:  Well designed and extremely well constructed. Leo Robinson un-doubtably had some good craftsmen in the 1930s. Any more information on her history from readers would be appreciated. Was she really built for the Hire Fleet, or was she built for a private owner? 

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.

Rare chance to buy a Broads Authority river inspector's launch

The Authority is selling two of its traditional Thames launches which have been taken out of service after patrolling the Broads for 40 years.

They are 29ft long, have a 7ft beam, are fitted with a 38hp Nanni diesel engine and will be sold with a new Boat Safety Certificate. Their traditional wooden cabins are fitted with a gas hob, grill and a diesel heater. They have undergone refits most years so their condition for their age is extremely high.

Motor Launch Thurne, built in 1975, was originally based at Irstead helmed by Port and Haven Commissioners staff until the inspectors transferred to the Broads Authority in 1989. During the last ten years the launch has been used by rangers in the Wroxham area. 

Motor Launch Barton, built in 1976, was always based at Ludham and mainly patrolled the middle and lower Bure.

The launches have been replaced by the heavy weather vessel Spirit of Breydon patrolling Breydon Water and a new generation launch with a hybrid engine patrolling the River Yare.

Arrangements for viewing the vessels can be made via Broads Control on 01603 756056. Offers over £25,000, should be made by sealed bid on a form obtained during the visit or from Broads Control by Friday March 21st.