Hardy 26 Mariner

Todays job was in Brundall at Broadland Boat Centre. They offers a 'one stop shop' for the maintenance and refurbishment of motor cruisers. They are also equipped with a 12 ton gantry hoist, which is ideal for Survey lifts. The centre offers high quality engineering and mechanical staff to carry out all types of work from routine maintenance to full renovation and fit-out projects.

September 1998 saw the International debut of this shaft-driven cruiser which has combined the very best Hardy features with a modern planing underbody. A wide variety of Yanmar diesel engine options with mechanical or hydraulic gearbox is available to suit every need. This was was a Cat B boat with a 230hp motor. The wheelhouse, which can be enclosed or opened fully using four framed teak doors, allows full standing headroom. The cabin accommodates 3 and contains a galley, locker space and toilet/shower compartment.

Traditional wide side decks are apparent with easy access and there is an abundance of stowage.

A really nice sea going boat!

Albin Vega 27 Yacht

I had a return trip to Whelpton Yacht Services at Upton Dyke today. I was carrying out a Pre-Purchase Survey on this Swedish built Albin 27. The Albin Vega was designed by Per Brohall in 1964, for Larrson Trade AB, builders of Albin marine petrol engines, who were looking for a way to increase sales of their engines. A wooden prototype was built in 1965 and extensively sea-trialled, and from this prototype the moulds were made for the Albin Vega. The company soon became Albin Marine, and concentrated on boat building, by 1971 replacing their own Albin engines with Volvo Penta diesels in the by then very popular Vega. Nearly three and a half thousand Vegas were built, until production stopped in 1979, and they have a remarkable reputation for seaworthiness. At least three have circumnavigated, and one has even explored Antarctica.

Sealine 310 Ambassador

I had a trip to Fambridge in Essex yesterday to Survey this Sealine Sports Crusier. Fambridge Yacht Haven is in a charming location on the River Crouch, set within the beautiful Essex countryside and surrounded by natural saltings and farmland. Spread across two sites, the marina provides excellent fully serviced pontoon berths and undercover boat storage.

Fambridge boasts a comprehensive range of boatyard services on-site, including a 25 ton slipway hoist and 30 ton mobile crane; an undercover and fully enclosed storage facility for boats up to 19m LOA; extensive storage outside; 2 wide, concrete slipways; secure lockers for hire; and mast and trailer storage.

My kind of boat!

Fambridge Yacht Haven

Todays Survey.... the Sealine 310 Ambassador has the perfect combination of a roomy cockpit, to seat friends and family, as well as room inside to sleep four.

Fairline Carrera 24

Today I was at Barnes of Brinkcraft in Wroxham Surveying this Sports Cruiser. Barnes have been in business on the Broads for over 45 years. They have a superb range of 35 different types of hire cruisers along with three very different types of shore-based holiday lodges and cottages. Wroxham, which has always been classed as the the heart of the Norfolk Broads, its is a great starting point, for any Broadland adventure. Both the village of Horning and Colitishall, with their beautiful thatched riverside cottages, are just a short journey away.

Barnes of Brinkcraft Hire Boats

Mathew Thwaites the Yard owner pulling the boat out for Survey (handy that fork lift!)

Todays boat for Survey being collected by the Yacht Broker Matt... the batteries were flat!!

In the shed at Barnes of Brinkcraft... No recession in the leisure industry here on the Broads...another yard busy building new boats to hire

waxwing revealed.mp4