Rinker 260 Sports Cruiser

I was working at the old Freshwater Cruisers yard today Surveying this American Sports Cruiser. Happy memories in this shed with Will and his Dad chatting about boats (as usual lol) over a cuppa. Wills now taken over his Dads business as Freshwater Marine and is busy with lots of work at his new office at NYA's service station. The old Broadland Boat Centre.

I've surveyed lots of these boats over the years. Not an ideal Broads boat i must admit with that 5 Litre V8, but these are popular boats for socialising and are exceptionally good value for the space and are becoming increasing good starter boats. This example just £13,000! When you're looking at family sport boats or express cruisers, sooner or later it all comes down to one word: Value. The older Rinker cruisers give you that sporty design and head-turning style, all at a price that makes sense. As the oldest American boat brand in continuous production, the Rinker Boat Company has quite a story to tell. From their humble beginnings out of Lossie Rinker's workshop on the White River in Indiana to today when they are exporting boats to more than 40 countries!

Norfolk Yacht Agency's third Service Shed at the old Freshwater Cruisers 

Thinking of Buying a Boat on the Norfolk Broads 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

Proud Lady Class Yacht

I had the morning at Eric Bishops Yard, Coxes Marine in Barton Turf Surveying this 1970’s Yacht for Insurance.  Built by Hebert Woods - the Proud Lady Class I think.

Photo courtesy of Sue Hines

When you want to insure a boat, or have to renew an existing policy, your insurance company will need an Insurance Survey in order to determine its insurability for the intended use. This type of survey is often referred to as a Condition and Valuation Survey.

The scope of an Insurance Survey approaches a Pre-Purchase Survey, but its focus is on structural integrity and safety and it is less detailed. An assessment of the boat's Fair Market Value is part of this type of survey. Insurance companies usually accept surveys made in the water without a haul-out or sea trial.

Your insurance company may have its own requirements for what it considers an acceptable survey and boat owners are advised to consult with their insurance broker before commissioning the survey.

An Insurance Survey requires several hours, depending on the complexity and condition of the boat. My survey report is similar to a report for a Pre-Purchase Survey, but somewhat less detailed.

Thinking of Insuring your Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at:  steventruss1@aol.com 

Maxum 2700 Sports Cruiser

Well its the first day back to work after Xmas and the start of 2015. It should be a good year for boat sales as all sounds stable in the economy and i guess wages should start to catch up this year helping the normal guy in the street looking for a starter boat.

Firstly my own boat, (Grand Banks 42 Classic). I've now finished my aft cabin (converting to a double) after some long hours on-board over Xmas.  I'm really chuffed with the results and think most wouldn't realise id changed the layout. I managed to get a perfect match for all the wood veneer, which has helped disguise any changes. I bought a memory foam mattress, and its really soft and comfortable to sleep on. Thats all the work on mine for now until spring when ill lift her out to do all the bright work.

The TV sits over a new unit which was part of the original single berth

The single berth on the port side is unchanged and can also now be used as a settee. The steps lead out onto the aft deck. 

I sourced the Teak veneer off Ebay! All the floors had to be cut. 

View from the saloon. 

Anyway on today's boat Survey, this Maxum American Sports Cruiser. Amazingly. Ive now inspected this boat four times! It just shows how owners love to change their boats!

Maxum come from the same stable as Bayliner. They are good boats, the 2700 is a classic 4 berth american sports boat, 4 good berth with a V in the front which also serves as your dining area and a mid berth under the cockpit separated usually by a curtain.

Maxum tend to use high gloss wood compared to the Bayliner, and are generally considered to be slightly higher quality, but this only really applies to the interiors, and now Bayliner have upped their game, they are pretty much on a par.

Powerd by this 330HP Mercruiser petrol engine. Expect about 11 gallons/hour at a speed of about 25 knots. 

Check that petrol is readily available in the areas you want to cruise in, it's plentiful on the south coast, but on the Norfolk Broads you may struggle.

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

Picton Spirit 3000

I was back at Anglia Yacht Brokers this morning looking at one of these rare Sports Cruisers, with only around 30 built!  This Roger Clarke Marine version was the better one, and in their time probably equal in build quality as Fairline or Princess. Financial difficulties at RC marine led to Picton taking over the moulds. No major faults, but like any other sports cruiser open to abuse, driven too hard in wrong conditions, etc.etc. so look for cracks, crazing in hull etc. Probably as seaworthy as any of that time, although not as sea kindly as current " Olesinski" technology.

  
Surveyors comments: Never seen one with osmosis! Partitions and floors all nicely glassed & bonded in like an old Princess or Fairline. Provide a lot of interior space, in slightly unusual layout. Rear cabin occupants could suffer from claustrophobia! Above average fuel capacity (170 gals) for size of boat!

Grand Banks 42 Aft Cabin rethink!

Im still 'cracking on' with the aft cabin rebuild on my own boat between Survey work. Ive started building the double berth now out of marine grade plywood. Ive converted part of the old single berth into a side unit, which will be a good spot for the TV and a side light. I have also had to cut all the Parki floors to fit-in with the new layout. Ive ordered 70ft of timber cladding to cover the aft bulkhead and I will have some leatherette panels made up for the sides of the berth. Ive also ordered some Teak capping rails to go around the bed just to give it a Grand Banks feel. I also managed to salvage some of the old draws so these have been refitted under the new bed. Ive also managed to source a nice old electric fan heater to be bulkhead mount below the steps. Onwards and Upwards! lol ... has to be finished between Xmas and Newyear as were moving back onboard for a while!