Japonica Yacht

I was instructed to Survey this old 1950’s Broads Yacht yesterday. The owner had already bought the boat and needed a Condition Report for insurance.

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With accommodation for 4, the Japonica is ideal for mixed parties. They have 4 single berths, two burner cooker with grill and oven and a separate toilet with wash basin.

Surveyors comments:

Good old boats the Japonica's, fine on a reach and running, but not to clever when beating, they don't point particularly high. To get the best out of the them, make sure the jib luff is nice and tight and the mainsail setting well. Don't oversheet, ease the mainsheet, gaffers like to be sailed full and bye.

　

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Norfolk Gypsy

I had a trip up to Neil Thompson’s Boat Yard near Holt today.
They are a family run boat building company situated close to Blakeney harbour on the North Norfolk coast. They specialise in the building, repairing and brokering of fibreglass traditional dayboats, yachts, workboats and steel barges.

They are well known in the Norfolk Boaty world and a bit like Sheerline and Haines they pride themselves on high standards, quality workmanship, sturdy construction and a friendly service. They offer specialised servicing and restoration for all boats in the Norfolk Range.

The boat I Surveyed today was a 1994 Norfolk Gypsy. It was designed in 1989 by Andrew Wolstenholme who is a well known Norfolk based designer of small yachts and dayboats. The Norfolk Gypsy looks like a new design but is based on a combination of traditional yacht designs.

The laminate thickness of the hull is considerably more than expected for this size boat. They use a combination of chopped strand matt and woven rovings which are all hand-laid. Certain key areas of the hull are additionally strengthened by the use of core matt which provides immense strength without adding to the weight of the boat.

Neils main boatshed.. preping older models ready for sale.

Surveyor comments:
I put my moisture meter over the hull this morning, and basically as far as im concerned these boats just don’t get any osmosis blisters! Without becoming too technical about this point, they use the best gelcoat and resins available for hull construction, regardless of expense. They use an Isophthalic resin which is entirely compatible with the Isophthalic gelcoat they use. Combined with this resin they use ‘powder-bound’ matt (not ‘emulsionbound’ as most boatbuilders use) which breaks down more easily and prevents of small air bubbles in the laminate. All their hulls are ‘hand laid’ throughout as opposed to ‘spray-laid’. Added to all this, they mould thier hulls with clear gelcoat from the waterline downwards. Clear gelcoat is considered to be the very best protection against osmosis because the introduction of a colour pigment in the gelcoat can sometimes increase the danger of osmosis. Finally they apply the International Paint ‘Gelshield’ Epoxy Paint System to the underwater section of the hull at an additional cost if required.

Sealine F34

I had a trip up to Lincoln today and Burton Waters Yacht Sales to Survey this 2008 Sealine F34 Motor Yacht for Pre Purchase.

In my opinion there are several reasons for buying a Sealine cruiser over, say, a Princess or Fairline, including value for money, though not at the expense of loosing quality.

As a Surveyor and being out on a number of sea trials over the last few months, looking at the competition, the Sealine was less noisy and choppy at sea - a sentiment echoed by others.

They Survey really well…. especially this F34 model. Great access through to the bow thruster, seacocks, water tanks amidships. Tons of space forward of the fuels tanks and gaining good access through to the sewage and hot water tanks. The Websato warm air heater stands alone and is very accessible. Then back to the huge engine bay with ample room to check all the necessaries.

Osmosis! Forget it…. Its unheard of on a later Sealine hull!

Plenty of Sealine Cruisers up for sale at Burton Waters. According to the Brokers they have had a very good season..

 Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? Call Insight Marine Surveys Ltd. 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

Duchess 9m Motor Boat

This was an interesting Motor Boat I surveyed today. This is the first time I have seen one of these up close.
The Duchess craft were a development between Boating scene of Basildon and L H Jones and son of St. Ives. The boat was designed based on the Seamaster 820 mouldings which were provided by Viking boats. The idea was to produce an easily handling low powered cruiser for river use. About 10 of these boats were built.

　

Surveyors comments: The semi displacement hull has a tall free board hull offering large internal volume. Jones & Sons have a good reputation and I was very impressed with the fit out.

Some Osmosis blistering is common on the older (1980) Seamaster or Vicking hulls. The level of blistering I normally see is considered relatively typical for a vessel of this age used in a freshwater environment and commensurate with other craft of this class that I have previously Surveyed. No remedial action is usually neccessary.....

Take a look at this link for full specs:  http://www.jonesboatyard.co.uk/documents/Duchess-9m.pdf

Broom 32

I had a visit to ‘Le Boat’ Boat Hire in Horning today on the Northern Broads. ‘Le boat’ often sell off a few hire boats at the end of the season and this one has just come on the market…an Aquafibre 32 (Broom). These stock boats are extremely good value. All items of equipment will work at the time of handover (unless marked otherwise and excluded from the boat’s specification). In most cases their preparation will include a polish, antifoul and engine service where necessary. You will be invited for a comprehensive handover to demonstrate and explain the boat’s equipment. After handover, only the engines and gearboxes are warranted against major faults for the next 3 months.

This ex hire boat came from Ireland, and has a steel plate fitted to the undeside of the keel. The River Shannon in Ireland has a gravel bottom along with small rocks in places. Part of the plate had corroded away so it was decided to remove it now the boats on the Broads.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? Call Insight Marine Surveys Ltd. 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