Freeman 26 for Survey

I had a trip down to Loddon on the South Broads at Jonathon Greenways yard this morning to Survey this Freeman 26.

Using the same hull as the Freeman 25, the Freeman 26's superstructure was developed from the Freeman 22 Mk2. You can see the return of the step in the deck and the larger cabin windows. The Freeman 26 offers larger accommodation and together with the Freeman 22 Mk2 formed the back bone of what was generally known as the Freeman range.

These craft are essentially a stretched version of the smaller 22 and 23 model. Over 300 were built between 1965 and 1973.
A shallow V hull with long keel allows for easy, slow speed handling. 

Surveyors comments: Its well documented that many of the older Freeman models get some Osmosis. (blistering in the gelcoat below the waterline). Experience has shown that early treatment of osmotic boats tends to be less successful than treatment of vessels with more advanced problems. While this may seem to contradict normal precautionary practice, it has been found that breakdown reactions in GRP laminates take some time to reach their conclusion; and if treatment is carried out prematurely it is much more difficult to remove reactive or hygroscopic compounds from the laminate, with the result that a recurrence of osmosis is much more likely to occur. The overriding factor must always be the integrity and safety of the hull. Osmosis in its early stages is very much a chemical condition, which usually has very little effect on the hull strength. 

Thurne Restricted Class Sailing Cruiser for Survey

I had a trip out to Bungay this morning to Survey this Thurne Restricted Class sailing cruiser, a cabin version of the Yare & Bure One Design (YBOD) or 'White Boat'. They are known for her impeccable sailing performance, both single handed or crewed. With her GRP hull and timber superstructure, she combines the advantages of modern materials and low maintenance, with the grace and beauty of a traditional Norfolk Broads river cruiser. This example was featured in the May/June 1988 Classic Boat magazine article about the Thurne and White Boat classics.

It's understood that she could be eligible for admittance into the River Cruiser Class (subject to scrutinizing, etc.).  

Surveyors comments: Designed by Andrew Wolstenholme and built by Kingsley Farrington, enough said! 

Insight Marine Surveys - Training day in Portsmouth

A group of nearly 30 of us (small craft surveyors -the majority members of IIMS) met at Portchester Sailing Club on Monday 23 March for the first Small Craft Working Group training day of the year.
The agenda for this event looked rather different to previous ones and this was perhaps reflected by the numbers who turned up, in what was the largest such gathering for some considerable time.
The aim of the day was to mix some presentations about business management skills with more specific surveyor training and, judging from the feedback received at the end of the day, the format worked for the vast majority of delegates.

Nearly 30 of us were joined by IIMS head office staff at the SCWG training day, which was held at Portchester Sailing Club. 

It felt like my old Navy Days! A giant US aircraft carrier was anchored off Stokes Bay, Gosport on a five-day visit to the UK. Portmouth has changed so much, and is now very cosmopolitan. 

Pram dingy for sale

Any reasonable offers! 6ft long with oars, light plywood construction... Only been in the water twice! Lovely little tender.🚣

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