UK Marine Surveyor based in Preveza Greece.

Tuesday 2 September 2014

Boats for sale on the Norfolk Broads

This boat belongs to a friend of mine and is a beautiful example of the Tideway type, built in 1992 at Oulton Broad, she is in immaculate condition with a new suit of sails which have been little used, the boat it's self is in as new condition, and has been on the water less than a dozen times, she's has been extensively modified to include a fully laid deck and tabernacle, she's a proper little big boat.... For sale for £4,500.00 contact me at steventruss1@aol.com for more details.

Another good friend is also selling this lovely Broads Cruiser. She’s one of only six built, and after using her at Barton Regatta a few weeks ago I can confirm she is immaculate! Here are the details:

Name of vessel: Tona.

Owner: Mr. A. Lodge.

Intended use: Recreational/private.

Navigation Limits: Category C. (Inshore passages)

Type: Broom Motor Yacht.

Builder: Brooms & Sons.

Year of Build: 1968.

Designer: R.M.Martins (hull); Martin Broom (topsides).

Engine: 2 x Perkins 4107 diesels. HP: 40 each.

Dimensions: LOA 30ft 0in, beam 10ft, draught 3ft 0in.

Displacement: 10 tons.

Hull Material: Fibreglass. Superstructure: Timber.

Hull Shape: Displacement.

Boat description: Fixed canopy, centre cockpit with inboard engines.

Hull Identification Number: B126B. Official number: 337075.

Weight: 11 tons.

Make an offer around £50K and she could be yours. A real eye catcher....

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

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Fairline Phantom 32

I've got three of these popular Classic Cruisers to Survey over the next few weeks. Although it doesn't look quite so radical as the original Fairline Fury, the Fairline 32 Phantom sports a similar, low profile flying bridge, well forward and recessed into the superstructure; again it’s the only helm resulting in a spacious and uncluttered interior. The boat was designed by John Bennett. Fairline launched the Phantom in 1974 and built 310 of them up to 1982.

Surveyors comments generally: One of the easiest and most forgotten forms of maintenance is routine inspection of fluid levels. Checking the engine and stern-drive lubricant levels regularly allow you to spot problems before they become disasters.
If a milky white liquid is found on the dipstick when checking the engine or stern drive lubricant, water is in the system. Investigate immediately.

These clever concepts essentially positions the cockpit above the cabins which gave extra cabin space plus an elevated helm position.

All craft were outdriven with a range of Volvo Petrols and diesel options. This example has the bigger Volvo 41A'S 200HP.

Tuesday 26 August 2014

Falcon Capriole 1020

I surveyed another one of these stylish looking Falcon Cruisers today down at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Horning. Its basically a mirror image of the Sheerline Capriole. Falcon Sportsboats started building boats in the early 1980s based in Brimbelow Road, Hoveton (Wroxham), moving to Griffin Lane Thorpe around 1991, where they continued to produce craft through the 1990s. A number of the designs are now produced by other builders, including Sheerline and Quayline.

The Falcon 1020 is one of the last in the Falcon Cruisers line, a custom-built six berth cruiser. The three cabins - owner's stateroom, saloon/dinette providing double berth with galley and guest cabin aft. An electrically-powered retracting windscreen and removable canopy means that she has a low air draft for navigating the inland water ways. A spacious aft cockpit with helm and double helm seat has ample space. The forward stateroom features a central double berth with storage beneath and wardrobes to port and starboard. The aft cabin offers a twin or double berth layout.

Surveyors comments: These boats are well built and are always in short supply. I would have thought a good investment at this age, and easy to sell on if upgrading. Ideal for the Thames.

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Marine Surveyors Ireland. Hull Survey Steel Barge, Ireland

I was asked to carry out a Survey at Brundall Gardens Marina today. The instruction was to check the vessels CE Certification, Boat Safety Scheme Compliance, and to include a Structural Survey and Valuation for Insurance purpose.

This was a 'Part Built' Barge by Norwich Boat Company. (2011). Check out their website on Sailways: Northwich Boat Company

They are one of the largest canal boat retailers in the UK, with over 200 new boats sold to date!

She maybe up for sale shortly!

Great space, fitted out in light oak

Surveyors comments: It should be noted that all vessels built after the 16th June, 1998 MUST comply with the CE Directive. Vessels built before that date need not comply fully with the new CEN Standards where these differ technically from the EA/BW Unified Boat Safety Scheme provided that this presents no serious risk to life or property. Boats built or largely completed by the owner as in this case can be excluded from the scope of the RCD provided the craft is not sold within the EEA for a period of five years.

Tuesday 19 August 2014

Broom 32

Today's assignment was at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall Surveying this Broom 32 TSMY.

A popular and practical boat with the interior layout packed with ample accommodation into a modestly sized shell, with the double en-suite owners cabin aft, a forward twin berthed cabin with separate shower and toilet, and three further convertible berths in the saloon.

Asleep on the job again!

Normally fitted with a single engine for river use, bow thrusters were sometimes added to aid maneuverability, and in some cases, like this Southampton Show boat, twin Perkins 4108s were installed!

Surveyors comments on 'Older Broom Boats in General'

Older Broom models are well known to suffer from Wicking: Wicking is a defect seen below the waterline where the individual strands of the fibreglass mat behave like straws and draw water along their length, in doing so they swell in size and wicking will quite commonly be identified by a very slight raised pattern of the original matting visible on the gel coat. This ‘wicking’ is an indication that there is moisture in the resin, and is often a precursor to or accompanies blistering.

Common on nearly all old Brooms TSMY's that have not been treated and have their original gelcoats.

Treatment - my advise would be to do nothing. On an old, heavily built boat, this is a genuine option. If there are no blisters I would definitely do nothing even if a moisture meter shows very high readings. If there are blisters but they are small and not too many they are not likely to have any significant effect on the structural strength.

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