New dredging equipment for the Broads

The Broads Authority has taken charge of a second new mud wherry as part of a ten year strategy to replace old equipment.

Much of the equipment was given at no charge to the Authority when it bought the Griffin Lane dockyard from May Gurney in 2008 and it was always known it had a limited life and would need replacement.

Named Gleaner after an old timber sailing wherry that carried cargo into Norwich, the new wherry has been built to a bespoke design by local naval architect Andrew Wolstenholme to transport sediment dredged from the rivers to other locations for re-use. She was constructed in Ireland by John Kearney, the builder of her sister wherry Iona, and has joined her in dredging the River Ant this winter.

This new design of wherry is smaller at 16.5m long and can carry up to 40 tonnes of sediment in the hold. It is stable, manoeuvrable and is small enough to navigate the narrower rivers like the Chet and Ant.

A third wherry of the same design as Iona and Gleaner is being commissioned with delivery due at the end of 2015.

Also retiring is a steel hulled barge with a crane mounted inside which has given many years’ service removing sediment from the Broads. The crane is being removed and her spare parts recycled to help maintain the other cranes.

It is being replaced with a versatile 360 long reach excavator which will sit on linkflotes and dredge using a new hydraulic clam shell bucket.

Rob Rogers, Head of Construction, Maintenance and Environment, said:

“Over the last four years we have purchased three long reach hydraulic excavators, two new wherries and a set of four linkflotes.

“Maintaining the navigation of the Broads National Park requires different plant and equipment, as the width and depth of the rivers and broads varies, meaning a combination of small and large vessels are required. Modern excavators are able to swap between dredging, offloading, landscaping, watercourse management and piling much easier than the traditional grab cranes and offer a more versatile service.

The investment in the new equipment and vessels demonstrates the Broads Authority’s commitment to improving water depth, maintaining safe, clearly marked channels and minimising disruption to the users of the waterbodies.”

Formula 34 American Sports Cruiser for Survey by Insight Marine Surveys Ltd.

Today's Survey was on this 37ft Formula Thunderbird Cruiser for sale at  Norfolk Yacht Agency​. She certainly looks the part!

Thunderbird was founded by Woody Woodson in 1956 in the Miami, Florida, area, and Richard C. Cole was the original designer.

Surveyors comments: Formula is based in Decatur, Indiana and currently manufactures 22 models. These power pleasure boat models include bowriders from 24 to 35 feet, cruisers from 24 to 40 feet, Go-fast boats from 29 to 38 feet, and a 45 foot yacht.

Formula boats are known for their racing heritage; a Formula boat won the American Power Boat Association World Championships in both 2000 and 2003. In 2006, Formula's Unlimited Hydroplane took first place in the ABRA National High Points.

Rodman 41 Luxury Fly-bridge Cruiser for Survey at Norfolk Yacht Agency

I had the morning at Norfolk Yacht Agency Surveying this Rodman 41 luxury flybridge cruiser, built by Rodman Polyships of Spain to Lloyds & NATO Certification.

The origins of the Rodman Group dates back to 1974, when D. Manuel Rodriguez, current president of the Group, founded Rodman Naval Construction and Industrial, starting its activity in shipbuilding. Currently the Rodman Group is the oldest company in its sector in Spain with a wealth of uninterrupted for nearly 40 years.

The class-leading three double cabin layout combined with the excellent performance, economy and ease of handling from the IPS drives make this boat a great choice. Fitted with IPS500 370hp engines, this Rodman 41 will still reach top speeds in excess of 30 knots and cruise very comfortably at 25 knots with a soft ride from her true deep-V hull.

Another one of the larger boats for sale at Norfolk Yacht Agency this Fairline Targa 50

Volvo Penta IPS is the modern inboard system, superior to inboard shafts for handling, onboard comfort and performance.   The IPS system range consists of ten models, from IPS350 to IPS1200, matched to three different pod sizes and available for twin, triple and quadruple installations.

Very impressive woodwork and joinery carried out by these ship builders.

With five boatyards located in Spain and Portugal, the Rodman Group has the largest industrial premises in the sector, totalling 240,000 square metres, 66,000 of which are covered. These facilities have enabled the company to devise an ambitious international expansion plan whose aim is to achieve an export rate of 85% of production in the medium term.

During these years, have built and delivered, in the shipyards of the Group, more than 13,000 boats. This background and experience have enabled the Group to position itself as one of the shipbuilding groups, more established at European level. 

Fairline Sunfury Survey at Norfolk Yacht Agency - Freshwater Harbor

I was down at Freshwater Harbor this morning. This is the third service station now owned by Norfolk Yacht Agency. Their Centres are equipped with lift-out facilities, joinery machine shop and engineering workshops and they are able to carry out all types of work from routine maintenance to full renovation and fit-out projects.

These boats were the first range of the true sports cruisers developed by Fairline. Bernard Olesinski started the modern era with his designs which still are used today. This deep V planing hull craft is designed with performance in mind. The original 26 has 4 conventional cabined berths. The Sunfury has a rear cabin arrangement with large cockpit.

This heralded the design ethos of large sociable cockpits for warm sunny use often found in Europe. All models were outdriven. Powered usually by Volvo petrol/diesel engines.

Surveyors comments:

Fairline Sunfury 26 Typical Specifications

(Specifications may vary between boats)

• Length: 26ft 4ins/8.03m
• Year: 1981 - 1989
• Berths: 4
• Engine: various outdrive
• Beam: 10ft/3.06m
• Draught: 2ft 6ins/0.76m

This sale was 'As Traded In' and means these boats are sold as seen in the same way as a brokerage boat would be. These tend to be older or smaller boats, they are sold without warranty of any sort and are often priced accordingly.

Alphacraft 31 river cruiser for sale with BoatshedNorfolk.com

I was Surveying this Alphacraft 31 again today at Bells Marina in Brundall. Ive now inspected her three times since she was first built in 2008. She is a rare boat, an Alpha hull fitted out by Rod Russel Marine in South Walsham. Since 1967, Alphacraft has been designing and building river boats. In this time, almost every hirer across the Norfolk Broads has an Alpha model in their fleet- and this is still true today.

The company was founded by Langford Jillings, and remains a family run business with Langford and two sons Langford Junior and Paul.

A long established family boatyard which designs and builds all its own boats which means that the range on offer has been developed to match the needs of today’s Broads holidaymakers.   

Surveyors comments: This Alpha 31 is a great cruiser for the Norfolk Broads / inland waterways with a lot of space and well design for extended cruising.

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