We recently carried out a Pre Purchase Survey on a Bruce Roberts Design – ‘DIY Build’ 32 Steel Motor Cruiser

Bruce Roberts Yacht Design provides construction drawings / plans for over 200 designs and plans for both sailboats and motor cruisers in GRP, alloy & steel up to approximately 85′ in length.

Bruce Roberts Yacht Design do not build boats and customers have to find their own builder / fabricator to construct. The 32′ motor cruiser surveyed had in our opinion been constructed professionally as a steel shell and then fitted out internally by third parties

The quality of the steel hull and superstructure was professional, however the internal fit-out quality left a lot to be desired

The layout had in our opinion not been given a great deal of thought with consequential loss of usable space and practicality.

Using our Cygnus 4 Multiple Echo Ultrasonic Gauge – European Marine Services can now measure steel / alloy plate thicknesses whilst the vessel is afloat – Saving you both time and money and slipway / lifting costs.

Surface Scaling / Corrosion and paint coatings are ignored

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd.  Marine Surveyors & Consultants

Tel : 01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

      EUROPEAN MARINE SERVICES Ltd        Big Welcome to William Kirby

European Marine Services Ltd / European Marine Surveys – Are delighted to welcome William Kirby as a new Marine Surveying Associate.

William will be undertaking Pre Purchase Surveys on vessels of less than 50’ and focusing principally on GRP.

Moving from Bedfordshire at the age of 16, William followed his passion for boats & joined his parents in their new family venture of Freshwater Cruisers based in Brundall. Norfolk

Broadening his horizons, in 1999, William trained at Berkshire College to become a Boat Safety Scheme Examiner. He is also qualified as a Gas Safe Engineer carrying out LPG soundness testing, servicing & installations.

The small hire fleet soon developed into a larger scale business incorporating Marine Engineering, Boat Maintenance & General Repairs. This built up a good customer base & reputation for quality workmanship across the Norfolk Broads.

In 2014, some 21 years later it was time for his parents to retire, thus launching the beginning of William setting up on his own as Freshwater Marine focusing on Boat Safety Scheme Inspections & utilising his long established name within the Marine Industry to go forward.

In his spare time he volunteers with The Raptor Trust, rescuing & rehabilitating wild injured birds of prey as well as having his own Hawks which he flies during the winter months. He also enjoys attending motorsport events throughout the summer.

Qualifications:

•  IIMS Diploma in Yacht & Small Craft Surveying.    Qualified in 2004/05.
•  Gas Safe Registered. Previously CORGI Registered.
•  Boat Safety Scheme Examiner since 1999.
•  Member of the Association of Boat Safety Examiners (ABSE)
•  Full PI Insurance Cover with EMS Ltd

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd.  Marine Surveyors & Consultants

Tel : 01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

We recently undertook a PPI (Pre Purchase Inspection) of a Colin Chapman / JCL Marine 1972 Moonraker 360, which was in some ways like going back in time – A Blast from the Past

For those of you whom are interested, and to give some idea as to the background of Moonraker Marine / JCL / Colin Chapman & Lotus Cars we have reproduced the below history from www.moonrakerboats.com and acknowledge them accordingly ………..

 Moonraker 36

History 1967 – 1980  In 1967 a German Rhine Army captain died before he could take delivery of ‘Moonraker’ a boat he had commissioned from Vic Bell at Brundall, Norfolk to build and fit out. The 30′ boat named ‘Moonraker’ by the buyer was an Ocean 30 (built by Aquafibre) and fitted out by Bell’s family firm – still in existence today and run by Vic’s son John Bell.  The German executors asked Vic Bell to sell the boat on their behalf – the name ‘Moonraker’ was kept and the boat sold to a David Buxton.

David Buxton – a car dealer and semi-amateur racer – had been brought to Norfolk, visiting John Berry, as part of his connection with Colin Chapman & Lotus cars. Buxton changed the interior of the boat – adding a stereo and cocktail cabinet, but quickly tiring of cruising on the Norfolk Broads decided to sell Moonraker.
It was the ensuing interest in the boat and the profit he made that spurred him to set up with Vic Bell at Brundall to build six more Moonraker 30’s – without flybridge at this stage.

Having found a thriving market, it was decided to build a bigger model. Naval architect Robert Tucker (for a while he was also a Moonraker company director) designed the 36 foot Moonraker.

Despite the popularity and good sales of the Moonraker 36, the company had financial difficulties and John Berry persuaded Colin Chapman to buy the company, which he did in 1971. Lotus managers and engineers transformed the company and marketing infra-structure as well as making revolutionary changes in design and manufacturing. There was a great cross over of staff and technology between marine & automotive design and production.

Under Colin Chapman the company acquired JCL Marine and expanded the range of boats built. With   Don Shead the Marauder was designed and built. Then came the so called ‘Mediterranean Models’ of  Mystere, Mirage, Mamba, Mistral and the uncompleted Mangusta project.

After the company went into voluntary liquidation in October 1980, the half finished Moonraker hulls were bought by Waveney Lakes. The Moonraker moulds were bought by DC Marine who built the marque under the name Moonraker ‘Super 36’. Vic Bell bought the moulds back in 1990 and built one more Moonraker before leaving the moulds to stand on the Brundall site.

Although the Mystere / Mirage moulds were bought by Tamaris Marine – the company folded without producing any further boats.

The Mamba mould tools were sold on and at least one model produced under the ‘Falcon’ label.  The Marauder plans along with the ‘Streaker’ (adapted Mamba open sports model) were sold to a company trading as Cleopatra Ltd.

We believe that the Moonraker 36 mould tools are still at Bell Boats Marina, Brundall – are they waiting for another chapter to open ?

  Moonraker 36 ready for survey

Moonraker Models

As well as the 3 main types of Moonraker available (Sedan, Cruiser and Sports Yacht, with many variations of these also available) from 1972, coloured hulls were also available, the first being yellow. The ‘D’ series was introduced in 1973, which extended the forward cabin windows so giving greater head/standing room.

In August 1975, JCL / Moonraker Marine International Ltd became the first boatyard in the country to hold the Lloyd’s Register of Shipping Quality Control certificate. In 1976, the Moonraker 36 was the first boat to comply with and receive Lloyd’s Register Building Certificate (L.R.B.C.).

The exact numbers of Moonrakers built and sold by Moonraker/JCL between July 1971 and voluntary liquidation in 1980 are not available. Many records were destroyed when the Brundall Gardens office was hit by lightening on 15th August 1993, however surviving records show that by April 1979, 384 Moonrakers had been built and sold.

Post liquidation some half finished moulds were completed by Waveney Lakes. DC Marine then bought the moulds and competed approximately six Moonraker ‘Super’ 36. This had a much updated interior, 2 x 175hp Perkins Diesel engines and some exterior styling changes.

Vic Bell then again acquired the mould and in 1991 commissioned Excel Marine to build a Moonraker for his own use. Although planning to use this for a demonstrator for further builds, these did not happen and the Moonraker moulds remain at the Bells yard site.

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd.  Marine Surveyors & Consultants

Tel : 01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

We undertook a Pre Purchase Survey of a very nice c2011 Fairline Targa 50. As a direct consequence of which several months later we then represented (Expert Witness) the then owner in respect of Dispute / Warranty Claims.

Our attendance / inspection of Warranty-Work in Progress on a month by month basis, being agreed with both Fairline and their Agent

The background to this being that as part of the buyer’s purchase T&Cs, Fairline and their agent / broker agreed to warranties covering ship’s services etc.

Though there were several (42 items) warranty claims, one significant claim was for the ingress of water through the recessed deck hatches located both port and starboard in the teak faced side decks.

These recessed side deck hatches cover the electrical motors operating the main saloon (very large) windows which are designed to lower into the saloon side linings.  However it was discovered that debris (ex production) had blocked these locker drains, a consequence of which the lockers over time subsequently filled with sea water – flooding the electric window motors / winding gear and eventually flooding into the guest cabins below via ducting, destroying deck head linings, side linings, carpets & electrical gear etc.

We also understand that this same problem has happened to other Fairline Targa 50s, fitted with the same main saloon electrical window operation – potential buyers beware

In support of the Fairline Agent involved they undertook and eventually rectified all warranty items and carried out work above and beyond the actual claim – to the satisfaction of the owner. However many items claimed were as a direct result of poor quality control in the Fairline building programme.

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd.   Marine Surveyors & Consultants

Tel : 01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

The Ocean 30 also built as the Moonraker 30, were built mainly between 1968 – c 1980 and therefore to conduct a pre-purchase survey on a boat reportedly built early 1991 is unexpected – However the date appears to check out as the engine number is  c 1990

The moulding was by AquaFibre of Rackheath, the semi-displacement round bilge with a long central box keel design by John Bennett – the vessel being rated as an extremely good sea boat.

Herbert Woods of Potter Heigham were the predominant fitters-out until 1975, plus Broom Boats of Brundall and RA Nunn after that. Between 1968 – 1970 Bell Buxton produced the Moonraker 30 based on the Ocean hull. Over 1,000 Ocean 30’s were built. Most can be found on inland waterways but these boats are quite capable of going to sea.

The boat we inspected was an aft cockpit version with a bathing platform, davits, single diesel engine with twin bilge keels – again unusual. An aft cabin version was also produced mainly as a hire boat but the usable deck space (and aft cabin space) in this version is somewhat limited

On our Ocean 30 the following items required attention:

Fuel tank access / piping conformity                          Auto bilge pump operation

Recommend the LPG water heater installation is checked by a qualified engineer

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd – Marine Surveyors & Consultants Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Japan – A long way to go for a Marine (Insurance) Survey, but a great adventure & experience

Several years ago back in 2007 we had the pleasure and honour to be instructed by a large Japanese Corporation to undertake a Condition Survey / Valuation of this most famous 110′ gaff rigged ketch built in 1927 by Camper & Nicholsons UK.  (Launched as ‘Gwendolen’)  We therefore thought that this condition / valuation survey would make an interesting blog

Dimensions:   Auxilliary Gaff Rigged Ketch ‘Cynara’        LOA  109′ 8″ x   Beam 18′ 7″ x   Draft 11′ 3″

Rumour is that ‘Cynara’ belonged at one time to Winston Churchill. The Cynara itself doesn’t have a log. It also doesn’t have a certificate to prove Churchill’s ownership. However the Japanese owner’s believe this to be true

During her early years she was owned by Lord Northampton, her longest owner to date, and was later used for charter in the Mediterranean where she entertained the likes of Prince William of Gloucester. Another of her accolades involves the film industry where Cynara starred in the film, Arriverderci Baby ! with Tony Curtis and Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Cynara (73.4 tons) was sailed to Japan in 1973 to become a promotional tool for ‘Seibu’, a Japanese department store. Cooking classes were held on ‘Seibu’s luxury yacht’ as part of the companies’ ‘edutainment concept’ and she regularly went out on sunset cruises. During this time her devoted skipper took serious pride over the maintenance of the vessel, especially when it came to his varnish!

View aft standing on bow sprit                  Deck view                   View from beneath with a 11′ 3″ draft

Japan (Tokyo) is a long way to go to undertake a condition survey & market valuation, plus travelling south to Kanagawa (marina) which took a day by car, but had the pleasure of the bullet train ride back to Tokyo – a very rewarding experience

If anyone wants to know what it is like staying in a local Japanese hotel with communal bathing and sleeping on a mat on the floor plus eating ‘real’ Japanese food,  don’t ask.

       My two Japanese helpers

Plan of Cynara

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd – Marine Surveyors & Consultants Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

A recent pre purchase survey on a 1985 Princess 35 powered by twin Volvo Penta 165hp diesel engines, showed us that you can buy a ‘lot of boat’ for a budget price

This Princess 35 is an estuary / coastal GRP motor cruiser with twin inboard diesel engines and standard shaft propulsion. The hull design is medium V with chines

This marine survey was carried out at St Olaves Marina. Where earlier this year they upgraded their lifting capability with the addition of a 50 tonne travel lift. Being only 1/2 hour from Breydon Water / Gt Yarmouth, St Olaves Marina now offers a readily accessible lifting service to boat owners and passing yachtsmen

As is usual most boats of this vintage that moor on the Norfolk Broads / inland waterways this Princess being no exception, the underwater surfaces will tend to have osmosis. Interestingly boats moored in salt water will (to a much greater extent) tend to not have osmosis.

All GRP structures immersed in water will absorb water through the gel coat, to what extent this happens is dictated by numerous factors. Water temperature, thickness of gel coat, quality of construction, quality of materials, temperature during build, and salinity of the water all have some bearing on the absorbency of your hull.

Visual evidence of osmotic blistering                      Associated moisture meter readings

Very simply, the problem is caused by water penetrating the gelcoat and entering the laminated structure. This water takes in solution free chemicals salts and becomes denser than salt water on the outside of the hull. This creates a differential pressure and since water will not compress blisters form on the outer side of the gelcoat

Today the presence of osmosis does not cause great concern. 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.

Other than the above osmosis which is considered relatively minor there were not too many negative factors, and at the price paid the new owner is able to bring this Princess 35 up to top specification and enjoy many more years of top quality cruising

In summary the following items required attention:

Raw water seacock valve security                            Fuel tank piping conformity

Battery storage                                                            Auto bilge pump satisfactory operation

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd – Marine Surveyors & Consultants Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

We undertook a pre purchase survey on this ex hire boat ‘classic’ being in private hands for some time and were pleasantly surprised at the results

This 26′ carvel constructed mahogany on oak (ex hire R Moore & Sons (Wroxham) Ltd) built in 1950 and therefore now some 65 years plus of age, is still going strong and in remarkable good structural condition – being an OAP and of ‘retirement’ age

The bottom is heavily tarred which has gone along way to protect the structure and the presentation topsides / superstructure is beautifully varnished giving an overall classic appearance – per original build

The above photos being typical of the build and current condition

To be expected – not everything was in perfect structural condition however, there being some wet rot in bottom planking (not extensive) with wet rot in a bulkhead beneath the side decks. The BMC 1.5L diesel engine and exhaust manifold was heavily corroded -but overall nothing too much and all recoverable

Examples of engine / manifold corrosion present

The interior is typical of this era with (by today’s standards) a very basic rear saloon / cabin / galley area with a settee / double bed and not much else – but this is all part of its charm.  A great escape from television and the world of the internet

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd – Marine Surveyors & Consultants Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

Boat of the Year – Oslo 2004              ” A Great Charter Yacht “

We recently conducted a pre purchase survey on a Beneteau 323 which was stored ashore at the Titchmarsh Marina, Walton on the Naze, Essex – A beautiful location with stunning views across to Harwich.  The sun was also shining making this inspection more pleasurable

The first thing to be said about this Beneteau was the price, being sold at an agreed bargain price of around £15 – £20k less than the selling price she would command on the South Coast.

The Beneteau Oceanis 323 inspected had a fixed fin ballast keel and single rudder as apposed to a lifting keel and twin rudders

The stainless standing rigging was all in good shape although the running rigging could do with being ‘washed’ (in a net bag in the washing machine) as it has been exposed to all weathers.

   An excellent view of the fin ballast keel and rudder

As the alloy mast was in position we could only report on the ‘rigging’ etc as seen at deck level. Not being sail makers we do not comment on the sails – and its just not practical to open up large mainsails / foresails for examination other than in a sail loft.

One novel feature that we did not appreciate at the time was that the wheel / helm console in the spacious aft cockpit can be rotated 90 deg fore-aft to allow for easy side passage.

This yacht passed survey with flying colours but one comment is why do manufacturers / boat builders mix mild steel washers with stainless bolts as is the case with the keel bolts !

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd – Marine Surveyors & Consultants Tel :  01603 327 123        www.europeanmarinesurveys.com

This is a month of carrying out Pre Purchase Surveys on the ‘classic’ Freeman Range of  inland waterway craft that were built between the 1960s and 1970s and still going well after 50 years

As they say when waiting for bus along come three ……….

” History ”   Acknowledgement to the official Freeman Cruisers website

The first 22ft Freeman Cruiser emerged in 1957. By the 1970’s the factory was employing 125 people, building three 23ft and one 26ft cruiser each week and one Freeman 30 every 2/3 weeks. There were 4 or 5 factory lines at a time: It took 25 men to build a single boat. Some 6,000 boats were produced by the time John decided finally to retire, he now lives in France. Incidentally, the last boat to be built was a Freeman 27 in October 1983.

In 1964 the model was changed bringing in the new 22 which is now known as the Mk 2 (hence the previous boat is referred to as the Mk 1). The cabin was raised so that you could walk right through,- the well renowned “step in the deck” was established. As with the 22 Mk 1 there is a narrow beam version of the 22 Mk 2 at 6ft 10″ wide which can also be used on the canals.

     Traditional Freemen 22 with a ‘stepped’ deck

    Traditional Freeman 23 with level decks

    Freeman 27 a radical design change

A common feature of the earlier Freeman’s design was the flexing of the forward decks due to lack of reinforcement within the GRP such as a balsa core.  In both the 22 and 23 this was the reality.

In some earlier models a bolt-on encapsulated wood keel is added for improved steerage so attention must be made to the keel bolt fastenings

Both the smaller models had the historic Ford Watermota inboard four cylinder petrol engine, which were still performing well. However when undergoing a survey particular attention must be made to the petrol system installations to include earth bonding.

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