Landamores Broads Cruiser

I was down in Brundall today on the South Broads inspecting this Landamores Elanco 37 Classic Broads Cruiser. Built in 1962, the Elanco 37 was, at that time, the largest hire cruiser one could rent on the Norfolk Broads. 'Snow Goose' is famous here on the Broads as she is one of very few surviving examples. She has a pair of modern diesel engines fitted. Also a generator has been installed that ensures that you are completely self sufficient when away form your home berth and shore power hook-up. All of the above means that she lends herself very well to being used as a liveaboard boat.

Surveyors comments on Surveying wooden boats generally:

Concealed areas within a hull are always a problem but, most wood vessels are constructed in such a way that enough access is available to make a fair assessment. It is usually possible to pull up floors (such as screwed in place plywood panels and the like) and remove enough paneling that one can get a fairly good glimpse of the bottom and lower sides. Carrying an electric screw gun is a must in order to do this quickly and effectively.

Three important tools are a slim but heavy gauge pry bar - of the sort used for pulling nails - a heavy hammer and a large standard blade screwdriver. Check the joints between planks and frames visually, looking for gaps or any sign that the plank is not tight against the frame. Then use the screw driver to test the wood for softness on both plank and frame near the mating surface. If the frame is cracked or the wood is soft, one doesn't have to go any further. Soft wood and cracked frames are dangerous conditions that mandate repair.

Broom 33

I was back at Brooms today... the weather was gorgeous for this time of year, really hot. The Broom 33 was intended to strengthen Broom's presence in the seagoing medium-size cruiser market and bridged the gap between their well-reputed river boats and their larger sea-going models. It represented a popular entry level boat in the Fast Offshore Range, although it has since been discontinued for a larger model.

The interior layout could be offered with or without an interior helm, the latter option providing a more spacious saloon. The aft cabin makes the best use of space by fitting the double bed diagonally, and still retains separate shower and WC cabins.

The standard engines for the Broom 33 were twin 100HP Volvo TMD31Bs but as these only gave a top speed of 12 knots the 33 was more typically fitted like this example with the more powerful 180HP or 200HP Volvo TAMD41/A/Bs for offshore cruising.

The Old and the New...saw this nice collection of old boats in the sheds... some of them built by Brooms... and then thier latest flagship the 455 back from the Southampton  Boatshow..

The Navigator Class

Rare Broom Robb

Raisena.. owned by Mr. Broom and raced every year... for the last 79!!

Shadow 26 Motor Cruiser

Todays assigment was at Horning on this this cruiser that was a radical design in its day offering a wide beam for her length together with a large perspex sliding door to the cabin. The open plan cabin is famed for comfortable seating which folds down into berthing. 2 versions of the boat were made. The offshore version had 2 larger petrol engines on outdrives and ths river boat version featured a modification to the hull to allow the installation of a shaft driven single  diesel engine. There was also an option of hard top or a full canopy version.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com

Broads Green Boat Show promotes groundbreaking initiative for hire boats

Boat owners interested in a ground-breaking green initiative for hire boats  will be able to view the first boat in the country to receive green certification at the Broads Green Boat Show on Sunday 25th September 10am-4pm.

Norfolk Broads Direct’s diesel electric hybrid cruiser, ‘Fair Princess’, which is leading the way nationally with the Green Tourism Business Scheme’s new Green Boat Mark, will be exhibited on moorings at Salhouse Broad alongside the GTBS stand.

Stuart Brain, the senior grading assessor for the East of England, will be giving advice on the new initiative which was launched between the GTBS, Broads Authority and Broads Tourism earlier this year. It is available to any hire boat which belongs to a boatyard with GTBS grading and is awarded for hull design, method of propulsion and green information for guests.

The public will have the opportunity to get out on the water in a wide range of craft, from canoes, rowing boats and pedal boats to electric and sailing boats and will be able to watch boating demonstrations. One or two boats may even be for sale.

They will be able to arrive in style by electric water taxi from Granary Staithe Hoveton for a return trip for £7 which includes admission to the show and a 30 minute silent boat trip down the River Bure.

There will be plenty to interest children with the Nutmeg Puppet show ‘Apple Pip’ highlighting environmentally friendly issues at noon and BeWILDerwood’s boggling treasure trail round the broad.

Children will even be able to design and build their own “green boats” from recycled materials and then race them.

There will be a variety of stands promoting green boating including fuel cells, solar panels and wind turbines. A smoothie maker will be operated by pedal-power among the locally sourced refreshments. The Norfolk Broads Concert Band will provide the entertainment.
19/09/11

Discounts are offered if you arrive by public transport, bike, green boat or foot. Moorings and car parking are provided, for which there is a small charge.

The show is organised by Salhouse Broad and Broadland Cycle Hire with support from The Broads Authority.

Broom 36

It was another Survey day at Brooms today. Its been a busy month in Brundall, probably my busiest ever! If you're in the market to buy a boat and you have the means, now may be the absolute best time to get a deal – possibly the best buyer's market in a generation. With sales knocked flat by the economy and many dealers flush with inventory that is expensive to maintain, serious buyers can expect both a substantial price break and a handful of perks if they are willing to put their money down.

The Broom 36 was part of the fast offshore range with a planing hull but without a keel, making it a fast boat for offshore passages but less suitable for inland cruising.

The interior layout makes the most of the limited space with an offset double berth in the aft cabin as well as separate shower and WC cabins. The deck saloon has to double up as the dining area, with steps down to the galley, forward heads and guest V-berth.

Most boats were fitted with twin Volvo's, typically 220HP. This boat had my prefered option the Perkins Sabre M255TI 225HP.

Surveyors comments:

The grease cups for the rudder tubes should be tightened down a couple of turns before each long trip, and the stuffing boxes checked every 100 hrs running. The rudder gland packing is 5/16” x 5/16” Sq. The grease cups for the rudders on nearly all the Broom models are situated below the aft berth. Keep grease cups full of light machine grease.

The propeller shaft glands should be checked every two weeks for leaks. These are situated aft along the propeller shaft behind the drive couplings. These glands are adjustable to stop water coming in, to adjust the glands turn the thin lock nut about 2 turns, then turn the large nut onto the thin nut, then lock it off. The glands should never be over tightened but should be tight enough so as to allow a drip of water to issue from the glands every 60 seconds approximately. If the glands are adjusted to tight this will cause heat and is liable to damage the gland packing.