Broom Ocean 42

I had another visit to Brooms Boats yesterday. Brooms was founded in 1898 by Charles J Broom at first building individual sailing vessels for the local gentry to sail on the wide open spaces of the Norfolk Broads. Over the course of the next 100 years Broom have gone from strength-to-strength, offering innovation and quality hand craftsmanship.

They specialise in Aft Cabin Cruisers, manufactured to the very highest standard. The main advantage of owning an Aft Cabin craft is that it makes full use of the spacious full beam width, providing a large cabin with walk around 'island berth' and en-suite facilities, along with built in, full length wardrobes, dressing tables & bedside cabinets.

This Broom Ocean 42 in my opinion was one of the best of the classic style. Interior layout varies in detail depending on what was specified when new. All boats have a large aft cabin and two forward cabins although in some later models the forward V-berth was replaced by an island double, allowing guests to be accommodated in some comfort.

Some boats like this one do not have the interior helm position, preferring instead to make the most of the large deck saloon. In most cases a 'corridor' galley, reminiscent of the Ocean 37, leads to the en-suite owners aft cabin, although some models had a separate staircase to port.

A variety of twin Volvo diesels were fitted during the production life, varying in power from between 200 and 300hp, which had a corresponding impact on performance
Some stats for you:

LOA: 42ft 1in / 12.83m

Beam: 14ft 0in / 4.27m

Draught: 3ft 3in / 0.99m Min.

Air Draught: 10ft 6in / 3.20

Hull/Deck: GRP Hull Form: Semi-displacement Cruise Speed: 15 knots

Max. Speed: 22 knots Fuel Capacity: 2 x 150 gals / 2 x 682 ltrs Water Capacity: 1 x 145 gals / 1 x 660 ltrs

Build Period: 1978-1989

Number Built: 36

Successor Model: Broom 44/Broom 42CL

Market Value: £120,000 - 140,000
They always Survey very well. Just keep your eye on the window leaks. Built like a tank… a real little ship.

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
 

Woodruff Broads Yacht

I had the pleasure of Surveying Woodruff yesterday.

When Percy Hunter was establishing his fleet in the early 1930’s he engaged Alfred Pegg to build ‘Woodruff’ at his Wroxham yard. Her internal layout differed slightly to the others of her class and she had the distinction of being the only Hunter boat to feature the brass portholes which are clearly seen in this picture. During the days of the Norfolk County Sailing Base, In 1973, Woodruff suffered the fate of a few other craft on the Broads. That is Calor Gas leaked from its container and filled her bilges with gas. Vaporised Calor Gas is heavier than air and will remain in a boat’s bilges without dispersing!

When the hirer lit a match to start the stove and make breakfast, there was an explosion that caused serious structural damage to the yacht. It was fortunate that this accident took place at the yard, that nobody was seriously hurt and the yacht also survived! All too often these incidents result in fire and complete destruction. 'Woodruff' was written off by the insurers and disposed of by the yard. She was subsequently rebuilt, at Acle, and survives in private ownership to this day.

 

Easticks 28 Yacht

Yesterdays assignment was to carry out an Insurance Survey on this Easticks 28 Yacht. Production Years were from 1980-96 and the builder was Easticks Yacht Station in Acle, Norfolk. The original Easticks fleet were sold off to the Caister Group in 1965. The Caister Group had undertaken a mass buy out of many fleets in 1965 and, whilst most of those remained where they were and ran under the old yard's name, the distinction was made with the Eastick's fleet which were moved to Potter Heigham and ran under the Herbert Woods name..... thus the yard and Easticks name were retained by the owner.

This ones designed to race hard!

Norfolk Broads Forum comments:
 
Neil Hunt designed the Easticks 28 in about 1981?. It was a joint venture with David Berry (then owner of Easticks).

Neil claimed the idea was based upon classic cruiser/racers like the Sabrinas, but the lines don't bear this out at all. In design terms the E28 is far more block efficient and there's a pronounced rise from the rear of the keel to the transom, which prevents them from squatting in their own wake whilst driving hard.

The E28 was the first GRP hull to be formally approved by the RCC. It was followed by Leslie Landamore's 28 foot Matilda design, but approval for this was delayed by controversy, and I'm not sure that Andrew Wolstenholme's Faringdon 25 design, which appeared later, did not pip if for second place.

Anyway: back to the E28s, the first of which was Neil's own boat Woodpecker. All as far as I am aware were built at Easticks. Actually they were closer to 27.9 in overall length, if I remember correctly. Its a powerful hull, and the fastest ever example was Ted Brewsters Marylyn Anne which sailed to 1% or scratch. Nowadays M/A sails with a reduced plan, but the former big Bermudan rig survives on Firebird. Other fast E28s are Joy and Wanderer. During the heyday of construction, David Berry had been supplied with a job lot of pine to build masts, and these proved less than durable, with the result that E28 dismastings were common, particularly in one notorious Yare Navigation Race when they went down like ninepins. I believe all of these have now shattered, so the problem's in the past.

I think 3 basic variants of the E28 were built. The first were fully rigged gaff boats to the spec of Woodpecker; then came the three quarter rigged (smaller sailplan), of which White Rose, Picus and Poppy are examples. Masts for these are generally uncrossed. There was also a hire boat variant which Berry used to supply his own fleet and others. Here the mould was extended to provide slightly more freeboard to the finished yacht.

I can't guess the exact number of E28s in class or hire, but Neil or the RCC could probably tell you. Neither do I know if the mould survived the disastrous Easticks fire which destroyed the River Cruiser Vanessa, amongst others. I think the E28 is a good design which has produced some fine boats. If there is a fault - its that for its length and available layout, its a cramped 4 berth, or an over-indulgent 2 berth. I think its generally accepted that early keel design was not good, and if yours has one of these I'd change it first chance.If you've got one of the old masts, then it will probably do the job for you!

Speed run at Brundall

Broom 39 2+2

Yesterdays assignment was to Survey this 2005 Motor Crusier for Pre-purchase at Broom Boats. The 39 2+2 is a variation on the 39KL providing two ensuite cabins and an extended deck saloon. The dinette is removed, and the additional space is given over to the larger forward cabin and a bonus utility space, which can be used for a washing machine, a generator and additional stores.

Intended mainly for extended periods of cruising, the 2+2 is normally fitted with twin 260HP Yanmars and larger fuel tanks for longer range. This one had the D6 210HP Volvos fitted.

Surveyors comments: Typical Broom aft cabin semi-displacement cruiser with raised bridge deck. Always Survey very well. Always worth having a really good look at the window seals.  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