Birchwood 370 Commander – Pre Purchase Survey & Valuation                                

Last week we inspected this fine example of a Birchwood 370 Commander at Brundall Marina. The brokers being Norfolk Boat Sales selling from their new dedicated Brundall Sales Office & Marina, where some 50+ boats are available for viewing in very pleasing surroundings.

This Birchwood 370 was a very nice example of this offshore luxury express motor cruiser boat and very little used. Being built in 2002 she offers a large aft cockpit (teak flooring) and sun area with an island bed forward and a central saloon with large dinette plus decent galley space with all features including gas cooking and microwave

Birchwood Boats based in Sutton in Ashfield, Notts designed, moulded and built a range of offshore motor cruisers from 30′ – 60′ in-house. The distinctive flaired bow is typical of the Birchwood 37 being one of the best aft cabin boats ever built with excellent sea keeping qualities.

A pair of (hardly used) Volvo Penta diesels with outdrives propulsion provide economical cruising at around 18 knots completes the package.

We undertook a Pre Purchase Survey & Valuation and found very few problems. Being limited to such as battery terminals and the usually degradation of anodes on the outdrive units. The internal and external presentation was good appearing to be little used. There was no hull osmosis or whicking

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Classic Hire Boat (1938) – Project Rebuild                                                                        

This ‘stylish’ wood motor cruiser is one of the very first broads hire motor boats being built in 1938 by AO King of Wroxham. Being a perfect example of the historic 1930s – British Railway Poster – “The Broads – It’s Quicker By Rail ” images that we see reproduced today.

This fine vessel has been languishing out of the water at St Olaves Marina for some considerable time awaiting a kind buyer whom will spend the money and take the time to restore to its original beauty.

 Aft Stateroom typical of the 1930s era

This boat has an elegance all of its own

The buyer was originally looking for additional accommodation in his garden and thought that a boat-annex in the garden would serve the purpose, but in the event was so struck by this classic that he is undertaking a project rebuild

Louis Bodmer has undertaken a comprehensive pre purchase survey and as one can imagine she is in need of overall restoration with such as daylight showing through planks with rotten planks, plus lifting decks, replacement cabin sides and the list goes on. Plus all electrics and fuel system need to be renewed.

Should you need advice, guidance on undertaking such a project or introductions to boatyards with the expertise and professionalism to undertake such a product – Call Us

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Hampton Safari 25  – Survey for Insurance Purposes                 

Louis Bodmer – This week undertook at Eastwood Whelpton – Upton Yacht Station (home of one of the few dedicated sailing hire fleets on the Norfok Broads) – An insurance survey of this 40+ year old Hampton 25, being probably an ex hire boat, but now in private hands

The Hampton Safari originated on Oulton Broad in the early 60s (initially in wood) being a forward drive hire boat.  Subsequently GRP mouldings were made and many other builders (including Dawn Craft Wroxham) produced this very popular inland waterway boat, both as private and hire craft.

The first Hamptons with sliding forward roofs were produced in 1968 followed by sunshine roof versions.  The hull has a long central box keel giving good manoeuvrability and versions produced as 2 / 4 berth with a single central engine

This particular boat needs quite a lot of cosmetic attention plus improvement to services installations.  To include battery electrics, fuel system and LPG installations

The painted hull has been subject to impact damage especially in the bow area and gunwale fendering bolts show evidence of external corrosion.  The mild steel extended skeg arrangement supporting the single semi balanced rudder shows evidence of corrosion

No boat has sunk as a direct consequence of osmosis – and as always in the majority of broads based boats of this vintage there is intermittent osmosis. The extent is not too severe and structurally this boat should continue for many more years to come

More information, findings and practical recommendations for boat owners to follow in due course or call us to discuss

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Nautor Swan 441 – Blue Water Offshore Cruising Yacht                                              

The Swan 441 is a great blue water cruising yacht being a classic Ron Holland design, being versatile and very well built if slightly heavy in construction

European Marine have been asked to undertake a Valuation of this yacht for VAT Importation Purposes and to provide assistance with documentation, the yacht being berthed in Malta.

Initially a Walk Through Inspection will be undertaken followed by a report detailing the yacht to its present specification and  current condition – being a 1979 construction an area to be looked at would be the (old) teak laid decks which are very expensive to replace

More information, findings and practical recommendations for boat owners to follow in due course or call us to discuss

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Connoisseur 37     Features – A very nice boat for just two people      

A Pre Purchase Survey recently undertaken at Herbert Woods Potter Heigham. This boat started life as a hire boat in France being built by Porter & Haylett of Wroxham part of Hire Operators Le Boat (France)  Whom in turn are part of the much larger Tui Holiday Group

An interesting boat having been much changed from its hire days with the fitting of a very nice and practical kitchen in the bow.

    A large and practical kitchen (galley) in the bow

The master cabin is sited in the stern with a decent sized double bed that actually slides to become even larger, plus a separate shower and separate toilet to one

An unusual feature of the Connoisseur is the single side entrance which is easy to enter from large side decks.  Visibility when cruising is good in a large spacious saloon with a winch operated sliding roof for when the weather is good

The downside we found on this boat was what is most common in many boats that have been changed (modified) and that is the lack of access to systems and services plus bilge spaces etc etc

Hydraulic propulsion via a single diesel engine located in the transom, however as there was no bilge pump in this compartment deep trapped water was evident that needs to be drained asap

Again as in most boats that have spent time on inland waters such as the Norfolk Broads there was intermittent osmosis though not of great concern and not too extensive. All services are in good shape

More information, findings and practical recommendations for boat owners to follow in due course or call us to discuss

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Aquafibre 38     Pre Purchase Survey                                                                          

Pre Purchase Survey carried out at Barnes Brinkcraft of Wroxham 

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 12301603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

c 1960 Classic Wood River Launch                       

” Gentleman’s Frolic Launch “

We recently had the pleasure of surveying this ‘gentleman’s launch’ at the long established Landamore’s Wroxham Yard, helped by the ever supportive and knowledgeable Ronnie Dack

This weekend day boat / launch started life as a small sloop sailing yacht in 1960 being converted by the present owner in 2006 to a very nice classic design day boat. We also understand that this boat was exhibited at the 1960 London Boat Show as a sailing yacht

This river launch is an unusual build being a double diagonal mahogany hull with a mahogany superstructure, plus a small central keel and twin bilge keels. Originally built as a small sloop yacht and then converted to a river launch with a single inboard diesel engine (2006)

The layout consists of a small galley with full cooking facilities, a small toilet aft and central saloon double bed conversion

Steering is forward under an extended peak with drop down canvas side awnings.

Generally in good order throughout though now suffering from lack of cosmetic maintenance and specifically paint and varnish where moisture is now penetrating

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd.  Marine Surveyors & Consultants 
EMS also undertake Boat Safety Inspections & Engine Inspections

www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: 01603 327 123

Alpha Craft 32     Pre Purchase Survey                                                                               

Features:  A very nice forward master en-suite cabin with island bed and plenty of space

A recent pre purchase inspection took place at Herbert Woods of Potter Heigham, being the home of one of the largest and long established hire fleet operators on the Norfolk Broads. They regularly sell older hire boats in order to replace with newer versions with improved specifications so as to maintain a modern attractive fleet

This Alpha 32 is a great cruiser for the Norfolk Broads / inland waterways with a lot of space and well design for extended cruising. These ex hire craft often come with the original simple interior design which is great for some one who likes to put his own mark to the boat by adding personal features.

Great features include en-suite large master cabin situated forward with an island bed with lots of space to move around. Layout also features a centre / aft stateroom with convertible double bed and a well equipped side galley

This boat has a raised centre cockpit / steering position with a sliding winch operated roof and ample room for all to watch the passing broadland scenery at leisure, with the single diesel engine positioned beneath.

The only problems found were the usual osmosis (not severe) to be expected in a GRP broads motor cruiser of this vintage plus some structural deterioration in the wood bearers located in the aft twin cabin and beneath the aft cockpit entrance – in our opinion being consequent of a blocked aft well drain

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Chris Craft 26  (1938)                                                                                                                   

We were instructed by the owner to undertake an inspection for insurance purposes of the 1938 classic 26′ Chris Craft. Other than a few very minor problems this 76 year old Chris Craft passed with flying colours and is a credit to her current owner having taken the time at enormous cost to (almost) rebuild her to an as-new condition

  View of internal structural condition

The owner found  Chris  (ex Charleston) in 2007 , rotten as a pear  and barely afloat,   languishing on the Thames at Trinity Buoy Wharf,  London E14.

In 2007  she was taken to Woods Dyke boatyard Horning  for repairs, which ultimately developed in to a full rebuild. Woods Dyke closed half way through the rebuild so I took her to Phoenix Boatyard at Potter Higham where I discovered that  much of the work done at Woods dyke was of a poor standard and had to be redone. The owner virtually rebuilt the entire boat at Phoenix, leaving untouched only some frames, small sections of chine , the stem and part of the center line , which were in excellent condition. So she can still be considered as an original  vintage boat rather than a new build.

She had previously spent a number of years on the Norfolk Broads but the owner was unable to definitely establish this for definite and there is another virtually  identical Chris-Craft called “Roma”  moored at Richardson’s in Potter Higham and there may be confusion about which boat is which.

The Nanni 3.8 9 (with upgraded 100 amp alternator),  Halyard CV05 Aquadrive,  flexible engine mounts and s/s shaft were  all new and fitted in 2009,  since when the boat  has had  only minimal use but has been stored under cover and the engine has been serviced and regularly  run under load, every week or so.

For information & marine surveys contact European Marine Services Ltd                                            

Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Aquafibre 42   A stylish look with centre cockpit and sliding roof                                 

One of last week’s pre purchase survey’s took place at Richardsons Boatyard of Stalham, being the home of one of the largest hire fleet operators on the Norfolk Broads. And with so many boats in their fleet they regularly sell hire boats so as to be able to offer newer / later models with improved specifications.

This is a great cruiser for the Norfolk Broads / inland waterways with a lot of space and well design for extended cruising. These ex hire craft often come with the original simple interior design which is great for some one who likes to put his own mark to the boat by adding personal features.  For example we have seen vessels with a bath tub fitted and a full size fully equipped ‘house’ kitchen.    Great for baking and having good times whilst cruising Broadland.

The boat was generally in good state of repair being consistent for an ex-hire boat and some general maintenance is needed as with any such boat. Don’t let the servicing schedule run over budget and you will be all right.

This Aquafibre 42 has a sliding roof allowing for pleasant summer cruise in the open, with the main seating area being near by the helm position, the driver is always part of the fun.

Wishing the new owners much fun cruising

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com