Another day in the office

Finally a few days on my own boat!

It's been very active with boat sales this April, I think I've booked a survey most days so far. Norfolk Yacht Agency have been extremely busy and some of the smaller yacht brokers have also been finding new owners. The great weathers really helped, and I've finally got a chance to have couple of days on the river myself. The GB's looking good, with most jobs done for now, just a constant 'top up' with the Teak oil on the hand rails  ⚓️👍

Broom 38 Survey at Norfolk Yacht Agency

Today I was at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall Surveying this Broom 38. The 38 was designed by Andrew Wolstenholme to bridge the gap between Broom's Offshore and Coastal ranges, resurrecting the hugely successful semi-displacement Broom and Ocean 37s. Equally at home at sea or on the inland waterways the 38 incorporates a good size keel which protects the rudders and propellers, gives good steering at slow speeds and has the added advantage of allowing the boat to take the ground in drying harbors.

The wide beam allows for the usual spacious Broom aft cabin, with en suite toilet and separate shower stall, a raised deck lounge plus dinette at galley level. A compact forward V-berth provides comfortable accommodation for occasional guests, with a second toilet adjacent. A sliding door to port provides access directly to the side decks.

The 38 was available with a single 135HP Perkins diesel for displacement speeds, but most boats were fitted with twin Volvo or Yanmar engines between 135HP and 265HP each. 

The Ocean 38 was renamed the Broom 38CL towards the end of its life to strengthen the Broom branding and bring it in line with the rest of the Coastal range.

Broom 35 Survey for Sale Carrick on Shannon

Today i was on the South Broads Surveying this classic TSMY (twin screw motor yacht). The 35 European was one of the earlier models to utilise the, now classic, Broom layout of forward guest cabin, midships saloon, aft owners' cabin with en-suite toilet and shower, and the helm on the aft deck. The galley, partly open to the saloon, and a second toilet are between the forward cabin and saloon.

All boats have an internal helm on the port side of the saloon and can sleep from five to seven people, depending on layout variations and the size of the people, with two or three single berths in the forward cabin, two singles in the aft cabin and a single or double on the convertible settee in the saloon. In addition to the door onto the aft deck, the saloon has sliding doors on both sides giving access to the side decks.

Most earlier boats were fitted with twin Perkins H6.354 diesels of either 115hp or 145hp, the latter being turbo-charged, whilst some had 120hp Ford Mercrafts. This example had the 115HP diesels laying on their sides. Most later boats, from 1978(?), were fitted with twin 140hp Volvos which, because they were taller, required the saloon floor to be raised several inches with a consequent change to the saloon roof, which is noticeably more 'cambered' on these later 'Mark 2' boats.

If you are after a Marine Surveyor in Ireland please email me

Maxum US Sports Cruiser for survey

I had this Maxum American Sports Cruiser to take a look at today.

KAD44 Volvo 250HP diesel gives 30mph plus.  

Damaged paint surfaces to stern drives should be sanded down to bare metal and touched up with a suitable primer and top coat, this will help prevent corrosion. I recommend that all sacrificial anodes are checked regularly, failure to do so may cause serious corrosion problems. 

Maxum come from the same stable as Bayliner. They are good boats considering they are built so quickly on a production line. The 2700 is a classic 4 berth american sports boat, 4 good berths with a V in the front which also serves as your dining area and a mid berth under the cockpit separated usually by a curtain.

Maxum tend to use high gloss wood compared to the Bayliner, and are generally considered to be slightly higher quality, but this only really applies to the interiors, and now Bayliner have upped their game, they are pretty much on a par.

With the 2700 there are a few things which are a must. The Radar arch is an option (the big GRP hoop above the cockipt) but the boat looks so much better with one, plus it means the covers work much better when it's rough.

In general, good starter cruisers. 

Stelco 27 for Survey in Horning.

A trip to Ferry Marine this morning and a pre-purchase survey on this Stelco 27. An unusual boat built by the old Stelco team in Norwich on this Falcon hull. A great little weekender, and im surprised there were not more built. 

Wroxham Marine are now located in the boat shed used by the old Falcon Yard, then Stelco, and some of the old crew work at Ferry Marine in Horning.

She is a stylish boat with a surprisingly roomy interior and offers great accommodation for a couple to cruise the Norfolk Broads. She was well built and the systems were typical of the Falcon build. Stelco UK in Norwich un-doubtably employed some good craftsmen at this period who have constructed the boat into something of a prestigious Cruiser.

Haines 350 for Sale River Shannon

Another Haines built cruiser to look at today. The 350 was a successful model from the local boat-builders. Offered as either a river or a full coastal cruiser, with great sea going abilities. Semi displacement hull form, single and twin engine options, en-suite fwd and aft island double berth cabins, and Haines endless degree of choice.

The upgraded 280HP Nanni diesel for sea work. 

Haines Marine are now one of the most respected boatbuilding companies in the UK – indeed throughout Europe.

Aquafibre Opal 28 for survey at Norfolk Yacht Agency

Today i was Surveying this Aquafibre Opal 28 at Norfolk Yacht Agency. She was one of their stock boats. NYA stock vessels are pre inspected by their Service Centre and then prepared for sale.  In most cases their preparation will include a polish, antifoul and engine service where necessary. After handover, the engines and gearboxes are warranted against major faults for 3 months.

Aquafibre were a prolific manufacturer of boat shells - these were then outfitted by a variety of boatyards, including Brooms of Brundall. Unfortunately Aquafibre ceased trading in 2009, marking the end of an era in Norfolk boat building. Aquafibre have been producing Broadland craft since the late 1960s, evolving from designs by Bourne Mouldings, although prior to the wholly fibreglass boats, they were producing Elysian hulls with hand built wooden superstructures. You will often also notice Aquafibre craft badged with different names depending on the outfitter. You will notice firstly the earlier designs only have a length figure, whilst the later designs have 'class' names, and secondly the majority of the designs were produced in two sizes.

Bounty 40 Motor Cruiser

I had the morning at Sutton Staithe Boatyard today Surveying this Bounty 40ft Motor Cruiser. New in 1990, a well laid out 40ft x 12ft centre cockpit, with up to eight berths. Most were built to the standard layout. This included an aft cabin that could be set out as two singles or a double, a twin cabin, bathroom and galley opposite. The raised saloon has a large settee which converts to a large double at night. The forward cabin featured a double with en-suite. The central canopy slides down to make them ideal for all weathers.

As with most models the engine is located aft, on hydraulic drive to minimise noise or needing the cabin layout to accommodate it.

Most recently the model has been produced as the “Silverline 40”, by Silverline Marine of Brundall in spacious 4 berth or original layout design.

Dragon Fly in the sheds for her paint job at Sutton Staithe Boatyard, beautiful....