Your chance to get involved in plans for the Broads -Yare Valley

Wednesday 19 March, Reedham Village Hall, 5pm to 8.30pm



People living in, working in and visiting the Yare Valley are invited to get involved in future plans and projects in the area.

The Broads Authority is holding an interactive area parish forum at Reedham Village Hall on Wednesday March 19th to share information about its work and hear local peoples’ ideas and views.

The public are invited to drop in between 5pm and 8.30pm to meet Broads Authority Members and staff, including the local rangers. There will be information and displays on everything from landscape and cultural history, tourism and recreation, wildlife and habitats, to planning matters, local access, navigation, volunteering opportunities and climate change adaptation. There will be a brief presentation at 7pm with a chance to ask questions.

Ideas will be particularly welcome on improving land and waterside access and on local information for an exciting new Broads landscape interpretation project.

The informal forum follows a successful launch event at Ludham, covering the Upper Bure & Ant, last autumn.  Four forums are planned for each year covering the Authority’s ranger areas. Following the Yare event, forums will be held in the Lower Bure & Thurne in the summer, the Waveney in September and the Upper Bure & Ant in November. 

For more information visit www.broads-authority.gov.uk or telephone 01603 756070.

Connoisseur 1135

I had the morning at SouthWalsham Broad today Surveying this Broads Cruiser for Insurance. She was built in Wroxham, England in 1986 by Porter & Haylett (Connoisseur) for Connoisseur’s rental fleet.

She would of originated from Connoisseur’s base at Trebes, near Carcassonne on the Canal du Midi and transferred to the then Connoisseur base, Port Lalande at Castelmoron-sur-Lot on the River Lot. She’s well traveled!

Since the early 1990s, Porter & Haylett have been known as Connoisseur Cruisers, named after their most successful classes. In 2009, the company took the name of the parent company - le Boat and moved their base to the old Wilds yard in Horning.


The Connoisseur 37 was first produced in 1979, followed in the early 1980s, by the longer 42ft version. The second pairing was produced during 1992 (for the 45ft version) and 1993 (for the 40ft). A number of other models have been produced since 1990, but until c2010 these were only placed on waterways other than the Broads, partly because of their size!

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 335 for sale Carrick on Shannon

I surveyed this locally built Cruiser for the second time today. The Haines 335 is an ideal Broads Boat and offers accommodation for 6 in two private en-suite cabins and the saloon. Accommodation provided is unsurpassed in similar craft of this size. She also had a great upper deck steering position with folding screen option.

She has the 135HP Perkins diesel installed which is powerful enough to cruise the coast in fine weather.

Surveyor’s comments: Excellent build quality from this established local boat builder. The fuel, gas and electrical systems have all been competently installed. The finish to the interior woodwork is top class. She’s an ideal family cruiser for the inland waterways.

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 

Fairline Weekend

It was nice to Survey one of these little boats again today. These 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.

145HP Volvo petrol engine

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. This one has the 145HP Volvo. The seating in the aft cockpit can be pulled out to form a double bed! 

Surveyor’s comments: Fairlines usual superior build quality. Perfect starter/weekend boat! Approx 480 Fairline Weekends were built.

New opportunity to volunteer for the Broads - Breydon Ranger team

Another opportunity has arisen for local people to volunteer for the Broads Authority’s Breydon Ranger team and help look after the remote and wildlife rich areas of Breydon Water and Haddiscoe Island.
The Authority is adding three more volunteers to the Breydon Ranger team’s volunteers which were recruited last year.

They will support the rangers in patrolling the Breydon area both on land and water, carrying out minor maintenance work, mowing and brush cutting, assisting the public, and helping with events, educational activities and small conservation projects. The first tranche of training in boat handling and conservation skills and habitat management will begin in April and end in the Autumn.  Ranger volunteers are asked to offer a minimum of two days assistance a month throughout the year.

The first group of volunteers who were taken on last year have almost completed the second stage of their training, which means they will be able to patrol the lower reaches of the Rivers Yare, Waveney and Bure in a launch  without a member of staff with them.

A role description and a link to the online application form can be found on the Broads Authority’s website, http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk, under Volunteering Vacancies. The closing date for applications is midday Thursday 13th March. Interviews will be held on Saturday 29th March at the Great Yarmouth Yacht Station, Tar Works Road, Great Yarmouth.


To discuss the role contact one of the rangers in the Breydon team - Dave Hemnell 07711 205831 or Jon Hopes 07768 086124 

Sealine F43

I had a trip over to Anglia Yacht Brokers near Lowestoft today. This Sealine F43 is the fourth one I have inspected over the last number of years.

Im not a great lover of plastic boats and my Woodie GB42 is similar in size, but this is a capacious cruiser, it doesn't waste a scrap of space. The bridge overhangs and the voids between the hull and deck are put to good use. Another thing I noticed is the F43 contains a very livable aft cabin. But unlike a lot of aft-cabin cruisers, this boat isn't vertically challenged. You get space in a high-volume hull and sportiness, stability and seaworthiness. In not sure about the shower in the aft cabin, your head fits into a hollow so you can stand up!

A number of engine options are available ranging from these twin 370hp Volvo TAMD 63Ps to the TAMD 74L EDC engines which produce 480hp aside. The boat doesn't mind carrying the top spec motors, which at 2600rpm produce around 32.5kt.

Surveyors comments: Good British build when Sealine were booming. A manorial cruiser ideal for extended families or retiring couples with grand kids in tow.

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 

Grand Banks 42 Classic Refit 2014

Well I certainly haven’t been bored this winter! The inside of my Grand Banks 42 Classic is just about complete now… I’d say 98% done. It’s been a long hard slog taking out all the rot and stopping all the leaks but she’s bone dry at last and a pleasure to live aboard. I’ve refurbished every cabin and painted her throughout. Next jobs will be painting her completely on the outside… I’ve planned this for the last week in March and have the single pack Ivory paint and primer ready in the office. The rigs all off the boat now and stored in one of the sheds at Bells Marina. The mast was solid mahogany so I’m going to varnish this. The rest of the Teak wood on the exterior will be oiled along with the decks. The teak decking for the aft coachroof has arrived and this will be fitted after the paint job. The new name plaques are being carved by a guy up north… she will be renamed DESTINY. Easter time she will be lifted out and the bottom and sides painted. A check of the stern gear and sacrificial anodes then back in for early summer. Fingers crossed the bottoms sound! Watch this space….anyway here are some pics so far…

O yes... have apparently got a mention in Classic Boat next month...so ill look forward to that..

Haines 35 Offshore

I had the morning at Norfolk Yacht Agency at Brundall today Surveying this Haines 35 Offshore. She is the Queen of the Sedan range. A capable sea boat and a comfortable inland cruiser, this category B vessel is equipped to face all boating tastes.

The round-bilge hull has a deep forefoot that develops into a chine as it runs aft. A long deep keel is still in place but on this twin-engined boat this cuts away farther forward and tapers in to give good water flow into the props, while still providing protection and some added stability.

Haines has always been happy to offer a well-finished interior but now there are touches of real contemporary flair.

Surveyors comments: A high quality, comfortable cruiser.