Concrete 40ft Motor Sailer

Back in the day these Ferro Hulls were popular with the DIY builders. This was an interesting assignment today. The aging owner had passed the boat down to his 23 year old grandson and he wanted to know if it was worth while carrying on with the project. The instruction was to check the vessels structural integrity after sitting in a shed for the past 40 years.

Carefully cured mortar over a steel mesh and rod matrix, results in a structure that is tough, strong, will not burn, resistant to chemicals, not affected by ice and gets stronger with age.

Ferro cement boats were first built around the 1850's, loads still survive and are floating today. During WWII pretty large vessels were built of the material. I remember four huge floating concrete barges we use to fish off when I was a kid growing up in North Wales.

Though many good yachts have been built of this material, like the ones by Windboats Ltd. to Lloyd's approval, the reputation has been dead in this country for some time. Europe is catching up with this opinion, for a number of reasons, difficult and expensive surveys being one!

Anyone interested in the method should try to find Jay Benford's book on the subject "Practical Ferro-Cement Boatbuilding" it covers the methods and correct ways to build lighter, stronger ferro yachts. Benford Design Group or Tiller Publications may still have a copy around.

The birds and ...

the Bees! 

The plans came from Auckland in NZ

Surveyors comments: If one can get over the idea that concrete really can float, I think ferro built well is a useful boatbuilding material. The element that provides the strength (the meshing) is hidden and can not be inspected, except by drilling holes through the hull. Usually over weight, slow and sluggish, and difficult to sell second hand...Get an INSURANCE quote before you buy!

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

Haines 320 2009 model

Another Motor Boats Monthly award winner to Survey today, this Haines 320 was built just 5 minutes from my home and offers accommodation for 6 in two private en-suite cabins and the saloon. Accommodation provided is unsurpassed in similar craft of this size. Great upper deck steering position with folding screen option also.

Check out the latest! 

A new model (32 Offshore)  in the Haines range offering amazing accommodation for her size. A full offshore planing hull designed by renowned designer Andrew Wolstenholme, delivers a comfortable performance at low to intermediate planing speeds. Offered with a range of single or twin engine options and Haines unquestionable build quality. Light and airy throughout, with full opening 'slide and stack' patio doors connecting the saloon to the aft deck area. The large island double en-suite cabin forward and generous galley provides excellent accommodation for those longer stays onboard.

Grand Banks 42 1972 Refit

Well was that the last weekend of the summer? Its been great fun living on the boat this year (2014), and amazingly none of the hirers have bumped into her even on our regular trips to Reedham! which is amazing!

 Im really pleased with her paint job and all the woodwork, the superstructure has weathered the hot summer really well, and as long as i cover her up for this winter I should have little to do next year apart from the usual brightwork. 

Inside I have big winter plans with sanding back all he original Teak floors, new cooker and fridge, and im going to fit a double berth in the aft cabin. Some Grands Banks 42's had the double in the back from new, others like mine had the two big singles. Guest can stay in the 'snug' double up front which is great in the summer but a little damp in the cooler months. Im also going to lay Teak across the whole of the upper deck and have also ordered new Tan covers from Custom Craft. 

The Ford engines have been serviced with new belts, filters, oils etc and have run great all year. The battery's and 40 year old electrics never let me down so im going to stick with all the original Grand Banks systems as i cant fault them. 

Ive got to get a new BSS certificate for next April which Freshwater Marine will help me with. My current BSS must have been bought in a pub in Scotland! She failed her test on at least 23 items, including gas locker construction, fuel pipes, fuel tank gauges etc etc.. the list goes on. (shame I cant do my own test!). When things quieten down over Xmas i will set to work.

Anyway some shots from the season.... were still planning our trip to Holland for the middle of next summer.... 

At Bramerton ..... still trying to catch fish! 

Oulton Broad

Waiting for the pub to open at Coldham Hall

Reedham

Spirit 3000

I was back at Brundall today to survey one of these rare Sports Cruisers. Around 30 were built. The Roger Clarke Marine versions like this one were possibly better put together. In their time they were equal in build quality to the Fairline or Princess. Financial difficulties at RC marine led to Picton taking over the moulds. 

Surveys comments: No major faults normally, but like any sports cruiser open to abuse, driven too hard in wrong conditions, etc, so look for cracks, crazing in hull etc. Probably as seaworthy as any other of its time, although not as sea kindly as current " Olesinski" technology.

Provide a lot of interior space, in slightly unusual layout. Rear cabin occupants may suffer from claustrophobia! Above average fuel capacity (170 gals) for size of boat.

Banham Discovery 33

I had a trip down to Richardsons on the North Broads today to look at this lovely 'Old Girl' from the 70's. I know little about Banhams, but apparently they were based in Cambridge, producing many classic wooden designs, a few of which have subsequently been used on the Broads. They also apparently opened a boatyard in Horning, now destroyed and replaced by housing.

Surveyors comments: She reminded me of the Bourne Class, (but a lot cheaper in price!). She had some lovely old features, lights, door furniture, proper 70's stuff! The hulls will normally have some blistering unless already treated, but they are very thick. All things being equal, you would certainly want to choose a boat without blisters. Unfortunately, unless the seller is kind enough to tell you, you can't find out until the boat is hauled out for survey, at which point you've already invested some money in it. It's a fact that most blistered boats are sold without regard to the blistering, and this is one of the reasons why, in my experience, the number of cases where blisters cause the boat to be rejected, or give rise to price renegotiation is considerably less than 5%.

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