Alpha 35

Today’s assignment was at Barnes of Brinkcraft in Wroxham Surveying this Alphacraft 35. Yet a further extension of the 29' with a longer aft cabin normally outfitted as a four/five berth. The main body of the boat can either be on one level like the 32' or with a normal raised cockpit area.  They have a small bath up front which always appeals, and a ‘Fold back’ often electrically operated roof allows open air living and access to the majority of the inland water ways.

They tend to Survey well, and are popular cruisers on the Norfolk Broads because of their layout. Ideal for family’s with granny 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 

Princess 33 Mk I

I had the morning at Ferry Marina in Horning today surveying this Princess Motor Cruiser. Designed by John Bennett, Marine Projects Princess 33 was in production from 1975 to 1987; nearly 500 were built. 

The most interesting feature about the 33 was the choice offered to purchasers of deep-vee or Y shaped hulls. The latter, with flatter sections aft and a long shallow keel, was intended for displacement and semi-displacement speeds.

Various types and sizes of engines were fitted. Probably the most popular option was a pair of 80HP Ford inboard diesels, giving a top speed of 13 Knots. The deep vee version was for full planing performance. With two 130HP Ford diesels the boat should reach 17 to 18 knots. 

The standard layout has six berths-two vee berths in a forward cabin, a convertible dinette/double in the lower saloon, and a settee which converts into a double in the wheelhouse-cum deck saloon.Some deep vee versions have a flying bridge.

The Y shaped hull was phased out on the arrival of a Mk II version in 198, which had a modified superstructure with an extra settee which could be used as a seventh berth, plus a standard fly bridge. This is the Mark I version without an upper helm.

Surveyors comments:  Good solid British build. Good value. 

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 

Overnight mooring charge at Reedham Quay is dropped

The Broads Authority has responded to the concerns of Reedham businesses and has dropped plans to charge a nominal fee for overnight moorings at Reedham Quay.

The Authority and Broadland District Council which owns the quay, were planning to introduce a £3 charge for mooring overnight at Reedham Quay to help pay for ranger services under the terms of a new lease. Mooring during the day would have remained free.

Local businesses were concerned the fee would deter boaters mooring overnight there. At a recent Broads Authority Parish Forum in the village members and officers listened to the views of residents and in the light of this decided not to go ahead with the proposals.

John Packman, Chief Executive of the Broads Authority said, “We are very conscious of how important tourism in the Broads is to the local economy and that the hire boat industry is in a fragile state. The meeting in Reedham was the second of our Parish Forums and provided an excellent opportunity to engage with local people. The financial contribution from the proposed mooring fees to the cost of providing a ranger at this site would have been relatively modest and having heard the views of local residents the Authority has decided to retain the existing arrangements at the quay.”

A ranger has been employed at Reedham Quay for 30 years to safeguard boaters mooring at a particularly tidal stretch of river close to the railway swing bridge.

A ranger is now on duty for the summer season to welcome boaters, help them moor, and assist with information at the quay.

Broom 425

Today’s assignment was at Norfolk Boat Sales in Brundall Surveying this Broom Motor Cruiser for Pre- Purchase. The 425 combines the best of the 415 and 42CL providing a boat capable of both fast offshore and inland cruising. The design incorporates the dual aft steps from the cockpit, which proved popular on the 365 and 450, as well as modernistic frameless windows. Teak decking on the bathing platform and transom steps is provided as standard.

The design of the Broom 425 incorporates many new features that have been recently developed across the range, plus new ideas created by Naval architect, Andrew Wolstenholme and Brooms in-house design team. The exterior has the  concept in styling and incorporates steps both sides of the transom which have proved to be so successful on the Broom 450 and Broom 365. The design makes use of frameless windows and the latest techniques of bonding the windows to the superstructure.

The hull and superstructure were manufactured just next to my office at Bells Marina by Brooms associate company Aquafibre. The mouldings are of excellent quality and are produced using hand laid chopped strand mat and woven rovings in Lloyds approved isopthalic gel coat and resin, over double brushed isopthalic gel coat all but eliminating the risk of osmosis. Substantial transverse and longitudinal stringers are Incorporated throughout the hull for strength. The hull and deck joint is both riveted and bonded. 

In common with other recent models, the 425 favours Volvo's D series engines and can be supplied with a single 370hp D6 giving a top speed of 18 knots, or more usually like this example with twin engines ranging from 225hp to 440hp. These were the 370's...

Grand Banks 42 Classic Refit 2014 - Handrails

The last of the Teak being stripped

The Boss!

Tricky applying the Teak oil.....  not much varnishing on this Old Girl...

The 'name plaques' for my boat are almost complete...now time for some gilding...

Grand Banks 42 Classic Refit - Handrails

Im cracking on with a lot of the finishing work now on my Grand Banks 'Destiny'. Ive got a couple of buddies helping me this week so things are moving on a lot quicker. Ive started painting the front of the boat, Rich is hitting all the hand rails and is making a super job. Cookies fairing and sanding other areas and helping me with some of the individual pieces.... still looking to lift her out in about 4 weeks time to paint the bottom.

Before and after! 

Made three plaques for her Index Number

Long painstaking work sanding back all the hand rails.

The wheel for the upper helm has come back to life

Nav light boxes - sanded and varnished

First coat of varnish on the steps..... four to go...zzzzz

Fairline Squadron 42

I had the day at Norfolk Yacht Agency today taking a look at this stylish looking Motor Yacht. Since day one, Fairline has been known for building rugged boats and the Squadron 42 continues the practice. 

Apparently two layers of gelcoat are brushed, not sprayed, into the mold before the first layer of fiberglass is laminated. Extra gelcoat means a more durable finish, and one that's easier to repair when the inevitable dings and scratches appear. After layup is complete, Fairline also gelcoats the inside of the hull – the smooth finish is easier to clean, and resists water absorption in the bilges.

The laminate proper is alternate layers of hand-laid unidirectional fabric and woven roving, using isophthalic resin to protect against osmosis, important in areas where the boat will stay overboard all year. Polyurethane foam coring stiffens the deck; integrally molded engine stringers support the bottom. A liner is bonded to the hull, and then the hull and deck are both bolted and bonded to create a strong almost-monocoque structure. Bulkheads are carefully hand-fitted, then fiberglassed into place. The result is a boat with a minimum of squeaks and rattles, and one that will be as happy in the boisterous waters of the North Sea as in the balmy Mediterranean.

Surveyors comments: Obviously a solidly built boat. Interior finish a little disappointing with iron on edges to some of the joinery. Still a squeeze to get into those shower cubicles. 

Grand Banks 42 Classic Refit 2014 Rigging

Well Im starting to get into some detail now. I always like seeing this stage of any restoration, the rewards! Ive posted a few images of the rigging which is now complete. I plan to paint the superstructure next week weather permitting and we will sand all the hand rails back. I found myself a brand new Pram Dinghy on Ebay for £500 which will sit on the aft coachroof. Im still looking to lift her out at Bells Marina just after Easter, and I guess a few more weeks after this she will be almost complete..... cant believe my luck with probably one of the mildest winters on record!

The mast was solid mahogany so i stripped off 45 years of white paint and varnished! 

New Blocks... don't ask how much! 

The wheel from the upper helm re-varnished as she was looking a little sad! 

The navigation light boxes.... oiled and varnished...

I got my Broads Number... but  I will go for much smaller numerals in white and mount them on Teak plaques... cut down from the old name boards

Destiny's Child! 

A pic of the 'Old Girl' just before I bought her. 

Pegasus 800

My apologies... no BLOGGING for days as its just been so busy with boat sales this time of year. I must also get some pics together of my Grand Banks 42 and the refit - as shes certainly coming along!

I was at Russel Marines Yard in South Walsham today. These Yachts are very common on the Norfolk Broads and there seems to be quite a gathering of them over at Upton and South Walsham. A modern styled 26-footer from Rydgeway Marine, the Pegasus 800 is an attractive small cruiser with a well-finished interior. Nominally six berth, she is in fact much more practical for two to four. With six foot headroom, she has a surprising spacious and comfortable saloon. Many of the centreboard versions of these boats were used on the Norfolk Broads, but they are also capable coastal cruisers like this example with the wing keel.

Originally fitted with either a 6 hp Dolphin petrol engine with shaft drive, or like this one with a Volvo 7.5 diesel with saildrive, many, particularly the petrol engined boats, will by now have been re-engined.

The Pegasus 800 hull was offered with choices of fin keel, twin bilge keels or centreboard, and a number of options were offered for the interior. The rig has a narrow high aspect main, and a large overlapping genoa. 

Surveyors comments: Built from 1977 to the early 1990s by Rydgeway Marine, and later by Pegasus Yachts, the Pegasus 800 was designed by Gordon Harris. Rydgeway's boat names mostly started with a P - ie Pandora, Pirate, Prospect, Prelude and the Pegasus 700, 800 and 1100 models.

She is a moderately fast boat for her size, and when reviewed by 'Practical Boat Owner' they commented ".... her helm was always light, and she remained sensitive without being over twitchy".