Thursday 17 November 2011
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Tuesday 15 November 2011
Sheerline 740 sc
Today’s assignment was at Sheerline Boats in Thorpe, Norwich, also known as Wroxham Marine.
Wroxham Marine were located in the boat shed used by JPC opposite River Moorings until they moved to Griffin Lane in what was the old Falcon Yard, then Stelco and then owned by someone else. As far as I know there is no current connection between Wroxham Marine / Sheerline and George Smiths / Sheerline.
George Smiths commissioned their own designs and moulded the hulls. Andrew Wolstenholme was the designer. Originally they started building in the shed on Riverside Road, now demolished where Walton Marines sales basin was. As things took off they were located in the Jack Powles yard on Staitheway Road where the River Moorings development was.
The Sheerline 740 Aft Cockpit provides a perfect entry craft into river cruising. Fold-down screens and hood make this an ideal cruiser for inland waterways with restricted heights. The spacious aft cockpit features a large bench seat to the rear with twin adjustable helmsman's bucket seats. Well positioned stainless steel grab rails all round make for a safe craft for crew to walk around the outside. Despite its size, full standing headroom is a feature throughout this vessel. The forward cabin features two 'V' berths with the option of an infill making a double The galley and dinette area provides seating for four in comfort and converts into a double berth. A shower and toilet compartment completes the high quality accommodation.
Wroxham Marine were located in the boat shed used by JPC opposite River Moorings until they moved to Griffin Lane in what was the old Falcon Yard, then Stelco and then owned by someone else. As far as I know there is no current connection between Wroxham Marine / Sheerline and George Smiths / Sheerline.
George Smiths commissioned their own designs and moulded the hulls. Andrew Wolstenholme was the designer. Originally they started building in the shed on Riverside Road, now demolished where Walton Marines sales basin was. As things took off they were located in the Jack Powles yard on Staitheway Road where the River Moorings development was.
The Sheerline 740 Aft Cockpit provides a perfect entry craft into river cruising. Fold-down screens and hood make this an ideal cruiser for inland waterways with restricted heights. The spacious aft cockpit features a large bench seat to the rear with twin adjustable helmsman's bucket seats. Well positioned stainless steel grab rails all round make for a safe craft for crew to walk around the outside. Despite its size, full standing headroom is a feature throughout this vessel. The forward cabin features two 'V' berths with the option of an infill making a double The galley and dinette area provides seating for four in comfort and converts into a double berth. A shower and toilet compartment completes the high quality accommodation.
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| Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Broads 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 |
Monday 14 November 2011
Caribbean 42
I was back at Brundall today Surveying this Caribbean 42 River Crusier. Such was the success of the 39ft version in the early '70's this 42ft version was launched. This was based on the Bahama hull and superstructure, but its round edged windows make it immediately recognisable.
The layout was incredibly similar to the smaller Caribbean, main difference being a fixed double berth cabin and different, more spacious galley arrangement. Only a handful were built, mainly for the F B Wilds fleet, but also for the odd other operator such as King Line, also from Horning. Three were still running with Horning Pleasurecraft in 2004, one remained in 2005 but sadly none live on as hirecraft in 2006.
Surveyors comments about the build generally:
Check all the floor areas thoroughly. They are a wood core constructed laminate, and if the bilge water penetrates them they become pores and spongy under foot. Its virtually impossible to check the condition of the floor bearers without cutting access traps. Many boats have been 'stripped out' and the floors replaced in 18mm plywood.
The fuel and water tanks are GRP bonded to the hull sides…. Often the bondings have broken and the tanks have moved.
The layout was incredibly similar to the smaller Caribbean, main difference being a fixed double berth cabin and different, more spacious galley arrangement. Only a handful were built, mainly for the F B Wilds fleet, but also for the odd other operator such as King Line, also from Horning. Three were still running with Horning Pleasurecraft in 2004, one remained in 2005 but sadly none live on as hirecraft in 2006.
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| Saloon - showing the popular fold away bed, popular on so many Wilds' designs. |
Check all the floor areas thoroughly. They are a wood core constructed laminate, and if the bilge water penetrates them they become pores and spongy under foot. Its virtually impossible to check the condition of the floor bearers without cutting access traps. Many boats have been 'stripped out' and the floors replaced in 18mm plywood.
The fuel and water tanks are GRP bonded to the hull sides…. Often the bondings have broken and the tanks have moved.
Friday 11 November 2011
Freeman 22 Motor Crusier
I had a trip to Horning today and Boulters Marine to Survey this little Motor Cruiser. One of the earliest production GRP motor cruisers! The Freeman 22 was launched in 1957 by John Freeman of Hinckley, Lestershire. They became one of the major motor cruiser builders of the 60’s and 70’s with a reputation for smart boats. In 1964 the 22 was modified to give increased headroom forward with a distinct step in the deck line. This example has the step, and was built in 1969. Over 1500 22’s were built up to 1970, when the boat was superseded by the Freeman 23.
Surveyors comments:
The fore decks delaminate and become spongy under foot. This is common on the older ones. Many owners of the older Broads Boats will elect to repair the deck core without removing the deck skin. On smaller areas especially this will be the case. Sometimes, though, the glass skin is just too difficult to remove, or, it's an old boat, like this one, and you just don't want to expend the time and effort. It's possible in these cases to perforate the outer skin with drilled holes, dry the area underneath, and then inject with penetrating epoxy sealer/resin or foam, and then close the holes with epoxy filler.
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| The Freeman Cruiser 22 offered luxury classic cruising for its time. Based on the Freeman Caravans it is the original 'caravan afloat'! |
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| The boat has 4 berths in a layout which is basically open plan but it can be divided into two cabins by opening the hanging locker door out across the boat |
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| The boats were fitted with 35HP Ford Watermota petrol engines or 50HP Perkins diesels, with speeds up to 9 or 10 knots.... this one has the petrol engine. |
Surveyors comments:
The fore decks delaminate and become spongy under foot. This is common on the older ones. Many owners of the older Broads Boats will elect to repair the deck core without removing the deck skin. On smaller areas especially this will be the case. Sometimes, though, the glass skin is just too difficult to remove, or, it's an old boat, like this one, and you just don't want to expend the time and effort. It's possible in these cases to perforate the outer skin with drilled holes, dry the area underneath, and then inject with penetrating epoxy sealer/resin or foam, and then close the holes with epoxy filler.
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