Thinking about buying or insuring a boat in Preveza Greece??

Saturday 22 September 2012

Princess 33 Mk II

Wow… its been so busy the last few weeks ive hardly had time to keep up with the BLOG. Well here we go… Surveyed this British Classic a few days ago at Brundall. The Broker was Norfolk Yacht Agency and it was a Pre-purchase Survey.











Designed by John Bennet, Marine Projects Princess 33 was in production from 1975 to 1987; nearly 500 were built.

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.

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. Some deep vee versions have a flying bridge like this one I surveyed.

The Y shaped hull was phased out on the arrival of a Mk II version (like this one) in 198, which had a modified superstructure with an extra settee which could be used as a seventh berth, plus a standard fly bridge.

Surveyors comments:  Good solid British build. Good value.

They are old boats now, so It is inevitable that at some stage there will be gel chipping, scratches or damage to the gel coat. It is advisable to have them sealed and rectified as soon as possible. Quite apart from possible severe damage, which has gone through the gel coat and entered into the glass fibre laminate, small gel coat repairs can easily be attended by yourself i.e. scathes, chips, broken corners, etc. To effect the repairs its obviously necessary for the surfaces to be dry and at a reasonable temperature of, say, not less than 45 F.
 

Saturday 15 September 2012

Fairline Phantom 46

Today’s assignment was to Survey this Phantom for pre-purchase. Burton Waters of Ipswich were the Yacht Brokers.

With three separate cabins, two bathrooms, a saloon with all the mod cons, and the scope to fit a lot of water toys, the Fairline Phantom 46 is among the best-selling of all Fairline boats, it has been conceived as the ultimate family cruiser.

On top of this good design is the wow! factor achieved through complex curves in the mouldings, stylish deck fittings, a heck of a lot of polished stainless, split-level saloon windows, and a big overhanging flight deck.











Im always impressed with the hulls on the Fairlines. They are built from solid handlaid unidirectional and woven glass rovings, with transverse and longitudinal stringers, and a deck that is joint bolted. The hull, which has a moderate 18° of deadrise at the keel, runs all the way back under the boarding platform. This way, the platform is an integral part of the boat, allowing you to carry a RIB or jetski on the tail. The pasarelle has been rmoved on this one but usually has a 250kg lifting capacity. Designed by Bernard Olesinski, the underwater shape delivers a beautiful natural trim angle. The hull rises almost horizontally onto the plane. A lot of lift is generated by the reverse chines and pronounced strakes. But displaced water is kept low.

Engine access is through a hatch in the cockpit and another in the saloon floor, making for no-fuss routine checks and maintenance. For bigger jobs, the mechanic might detach the settee in the saloon. As it is, air, oil and water filters fall nicely to hand.

Overall, the three cabins and two heads in this 47-footer don't compromise on space. In fact, every bed is big enough for even a big bloke to gain plenty of sleep - which is an essential ingredient for a happy marriage!

With two big twin Volvos, the Phantom 46 idles at six knots, planes at 12kt, and puts in a heavy-weather cruise of 16.6kt at 1800rpm.

Surveyors comments: Designed by Bernard Olesinski… what can I say!

There is only one berth in the crew quarters, so expect the kids to fight for it!
 Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? Call Insight Marine Surveys Ltd. 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

 

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Westward 38

I was in Brundall on the South Broads today Surveying this Westward 38 Broads River Cruiser for pre-purchase.

The Westward range of motor cruisers were produced by John Williams marine (not to be confused with John Williams Boats of Stalham) on the Ellough Industrial Estate in Beccles.

They launched at the end of the 1970’s with the 38ft Sedan mould which was soon followed by her 31ft sister which was similar in most essential layout and superstructure respects though the hull shape was slightly different. Towards the end of the 1980‘s a centre cockpit version was derived ( like this example) from the 38ft hull though this was only produced for a couple of years.

Characteristics include an ‘island’ double bed in the forward cabin and sliding aft patio door on the sedan moulds as well as sleek lines....

 











Tuesday 11 September 2012

Stebbins Gentemans Motor Cruiser

Surveyed this lovely old Gentleman’s Cruiser today built in the 1940’s by the yard Stebbings Boat builders in Burnam on Crouch, England.  






Always worth checking the bondings and anodes on a wooden boat as the boats normally held together with copper nails which can corrode! To confirm the condition of the bondings, test for continuity between the anode and the sterngear/ steering gear and skin fittingse using a multimeter set to "ohms" on the R x 1 scale. The anode must be scraped with a knife in order to get a good conductive reading




Jon who runs the yard at Wayford Bridge also owns a Stebbins (see 2 x images above)... this ones not in quite the same condition.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? Call Insight Marine Surveys Ltd. 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   


Monday 10 September 2012

Glastron GS249

I Surveyed yet another American Sports Cruiser today… I have never seen so many on the Norfolk Broads as this year. The great thing about the Glastron 249 is the price, and i can totally understand why they are proving so popular. Something similar to this 2000 model will cost you only £25K,   that’s with the more economical 150 Volvo diesel, which is much more suitable for use on the Norfolk Broads. They are normally fitted with a petrol 260hp, 5.0L Mercruiser.








For a 24-foot family cruiser. The GS 249 offers ample passenger seating, a foldout sun lounge and Bimini top. Below deck: a spacious galley, V-berth, dinette and aft cabin. The cabin is spacious and comfortable... with all the needed items (stove, ice box & head).

Surveyors comments.
It looks great!, flashy, nicely styled, with colour accents that work.

There’s a "water trap" between the cockpit & cabin in which the drain is well above the floor of the trap. According to the many reviews on the net, this leads to accumulation of dirt and debris.

Wednesday 5 September 2012

Marex 280 Holiday

Today’s assignment- This was an unusual boat to see on the Norfolk Broads. This was a Pre-purchase Survey. My Pre-Purchase Surveys give you confidence in what you are buying. They are comprehensive inspections covering structural integrity, safety, condition of machinery and equipment, as well as overall maintenance and cosmetic appearance.

Marex are a Norwegian Company, apparently Marex means King of the Sea. A bit of a claim, but any boat built by the Vikings is good enough for me!

Nice layout this, the after cabin is reasonably spacious, and a cruising couple could sleep in there while leaving the saloon free for living in. I suspect, however, that the most time will be spent in the spacious cockpit - plenty of seating, and the galley upstairs. Not the most secure with the open cockpit, however, i like the idea very much – very sociable, very practical – wife can steer the boat, kids can fish over the side while hubby cooks and washes up, all in the same place – marvellous!



Keith from Brundall Bay Marina jet washing her off prior to the underbody inspection







 Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? Call Insight Marine Surveys Ltd. 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    
 

Monday 3 September 2012

Twilight Class Cruiser

I Surveyed this lovely old Twilight Class Broads Yacht today down at Southgates in Horning. Built by Herbert Woods in the 1940,s.

Southgates new owners have turned the old shed into a service station, bought in a new hydraulic hoist (big foot) and have lots of room for winter storage. They provide the hire fleet with pump outs, fuel and water....

Ideal work place for wooden boats at Southgates in Horning


Slipping her back into the water



Surveyors comments:
Opening Up
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.

Planks & Frames 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. Soft wood and cracked frames are dangerous conditions that mandate repair.

Try to slip the pry bar under the frame and pry gently. Does the frame move or rock slightly? If so, there is a fastener problem. This should be done at every opportunity along the keel or garboard area. If the frame ends are split or soft, repairs are necessary. If dealing with tall, sawn frames, one can hit the frame with the hammer to see if it is loose.

Certainly its not feasible to go through the entire hull testing all frames and planks in this manner, and fortunately it is not necessary except for the keel area where this needs to be done wherever possible. Further up from the keel, we can limit our physical testing by looking for signs of weepage. Anytime there is evidence of water migrating through seams, corrosion of fasteners has to be suspected. Weepage shows up in various ways, often depending on whether the wood is painted or bare, its age and so on.

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

Sunday 2 September 2012

Now online for mobile App users

Insight Marine Surveys Ltd is looking to target new and interactive customers. I am now promoting the business and my services to mobile App users on a local, regional and national scale. This includes a bespoke mobile optimised landing page designed to help give the business its full potential.... just GOOGLE 'Insight Marine Surveys' and keep up to date with my daily assignments, information on local boatyards, local news and answers to frequently asked questions....plus links to organisations and other helpful sites....Try it..


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