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

With the winter season setting in many boat owners have already booked their spot in a yard to either carry out winter project, maintenance or simply to store the yacht. This obviously involves lifting out and propping the vessel ashore and then putting it back in the water comes spring.

Now what we’ve found over the years is that many owners forget their insurance policy requires to have an insurance survey carried out generally every five to seven years time. And often they remember it during summer, thus having to organize the lift of the boat once again for the survey to take place instead of enjoying the good weather.

So how about going through the whole process just once and booking your insurance survey with us whilst the vessel is winterized. It will also enable you to carry out the possible recommendation before spring and to enjoy a worry free summer.

Check our website for the latest fees.

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd    (inc European Marine Surveys)          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

Wide Beam 35′ Steel Canal Houseboat                                                                                  

We have recently carried out a survey on a custom built canal boat. The barge was built in 2005 with the idea of cruising the Broads and therefore was built slightly wider than its counterpart in the north. This gives ample space for cruising and live aboard.

In general the boat was in pretty good order inside and outside and well looked after.

The steel hull was starting to show some rust, which is quite normal on a steel boat and in my opinion is due to the type of anodes used. The boat has been kept in Oulton broad for some years and I believe the anodes to be for fresh water. But if the boat is to be kept there it should be easy enough to replace the anodes with salt type ones, zinc or even alloy anodes.

Apart of that the boat surveyed well and if you want to cruise in style I definitely recommend a canal boat for their classic look and feel.

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

Van de Stadt 8m  Offshore Sloop                                                                                                

We recently carried out a survey on a GRP sloop fin keel built in the ’70s. 

The vessel presented well and we understood that a previous owner had spent a few years refitting the boat. All of the interior had been stripped out and reinforced with added bearers and re-epoxied all of the inside. The chap was also a keen joiner and re-built all of the furniture adding all those extra personal designs that improve so much the life aboard. Being myself a wooden boat builder too I was very appreciative of the details and quality of the refit.

Obviously no extra cabins have been added but the way every things nest together gives the impression of extra space. With a Vee berth in the front cabin and two seats / beds in the main cabin gives the opportunity for a couple to share the sailing experience with friends.

The rig has been kept as a sloop with an added Jib stay for stronger winds.

The vessel is steered by tiller and also has a wind autopilot which would tempt many people to go for long passage just to use it!

Any excuse for a long passage to warmer shores ?

Despite the price tag being slighlty higher than equivalent yachts, this one comes with a well thought-out interior design and practical rig.

We wish them plenty of enjoyable cruising

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

RIVA 52 SURVEY    Pre Purchase Survey in (sunny) Spain

Following instruction from a Brazilian client –  Last month we undertook a pre purchase survey in sunny Ibiza, SPAIN

The flight to Ibiza was fine apart from an hour delay at Stansted, which means I would be running an hour behind the whole day.   That’s all right in the UK with normal working hours but in Spain !   Where they stop between 2 and 4 pm and the yard closes at 6pm, That didn’t leave me much time to run around a bigish boat and try to find something wrong about it

The boat was a Riva Rivale 16m (52ft) and was kept indoor at Ibiza Boat Center, a reasonably big yard where they mainly look after luxurious type of boats. Great to keep the boat indoor away from the weather but slightly hot under a tin roof. I am more used to be in cold wet shed on the Norfolk Broads. But hey !  a bit of sunshine is always good.

The local broker Andreas Moegle of Amo Yachts was very helpful in working out the local logistic. Picking me up at the airport and sorting out accommodation for my one night stay. Andreas is a busy broker who also runs a local charter boat company with all sort of type and size of boats.  If any one fancy a quick ride to Formentera  he would definitely find you the right boat. 

After having passed all the safety check and been approved to walk in the boat yard, I found a very well kept boat. Well that was just my first impression from the outside, and I kept the same impression the whole way through the survey. The captain came shortly after and took me through the history and details of the vessel. A very interesting chap who has been extensively sailing in the Mediterranean sea.

The Riva Rivale is a well built ocean going twin screw medium Vee design. The hull design is built for good speed and reasonable fuel consumption. Powered by twin V8 MAN Engine of 662kw each gives plenty of oomph to the boat to quickly sail from Cannes to Monaco for the aperitif! And if no mooring could be negotiated in the harbor, the Riva Rivale can store a tender up to 3.2m in the garage!

The interior design is practical and of a high quality standard. Riva had design this boat with the idea of the owner self-handling it so to enjoy full privacy when sailing, however a version comes with a crew cabin for when in want of a chef / sailor.

The survey was pretty straight forward, following my routine I have found very little to say about the boat. It has been professionally maintained since it was built in 2005 and apart of the usual necessary maintenance i.e valves, stern tube and packing glands not much was wrong with the boat. Structurally Riva boats are built to last and have great character.

Lunch was the hardest bit of the survey. I mean I normally do the survey in one go. Well there I had to stop between 2 and 4pm for lunch as the yard was shut for siesta.  Lunch was great with some great tasty local product or at least locally from the continent! But getting back into the engine room, cramped with two massive MAN engine and all the system of the boat nested all over the place and with just a small open man hole for fresh air, I was starting to feel slightly too big for the place !

However the engine space on this boat is really well designed. All systems come back there so no need to lift any cushions in the sitting room or dismantle half a galley to reach the water pump. Just not straight after lunch in a boatshed that is close to 37C

I managed to finish in good time before 6 o’clock and after having double check all my findings headed towards the hotel for a well deserved shower and a rewarding cool beer.

Now I could enjoy a bit of my Ibizean time, so I walked along the Passeo Maritimo keeping an eye on a few yachts and super yachts in case I saw someone I knew from my previous jobs in the super yacht industry. Unfortunately or not, no one was there, so that would be an easy evening for me. Had a nice meal in the old town and a bit of wander around and back to the hotel as every local people were just going out for their evening runs

It was really nice carrying out this survey in Ibiza.

Hopefully more of those European surveys to come and brighten our English winter days

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

Broom 37 Continental            Worth buying at the right price            

A Rebuild Project 

We have recently carried out a pre-purchase survey on a 40 year plus Broom Continental 37 from the early 70’s.  The customer had some worries about the safe structural condition of the boat after having viewed the vessel and undertaken river trials on the Broads and so did we when we saw her afloat in Broom’s Marina

The vessel had a laid teak deck and it was definitely looking tired.  The gel-coat showed signs of fair wear and tear and little maintenance.

The internal joinery woodwork hadn’t been protected and sealed for many years and due to some water ingress through the windows was in a poor condition and the list carries on with packing glands in need of servicing or replacing, windows leak, usual seized seacocks and so on.

But all in all, despite the poor cosmetic condition and lack of regular maintenance and up-keep, the vessel was considered structurally good.

She had a small amount of osmosis being expected in a vessel of this vintage and having been moored on the rivers for some years.

This just shows how well and strongly Broom’s Boat are built.  It also shows that a boat is like a house and needs attention and TLC to preserve its market value.

Even more so in a boat !  The effect of water combined with a poor maintenance increases the repair bill far more than scheduled maintenance – which will help keep a boat at a good standard throughout the years.

The joinery woodwork would probably need to be partially renewed but this could be a nice project for someone with an appetite for joinery work.  Beside, it is a good opportunity to redesign the interior according to one’s need !

All in all, this boat displays a great potential as a family boat and perhaps live aboard.

It can be a great project for someone who can spend the time to put it right.  Obviously some professional help might be needed and we know from experience that any boatbuilder taking part into the renovation of such classic motor yacht will be proud of being part of it.

The Broom Continental is one of the hidden gems from Broom Boat Builders and should be stunning once done up.  

I am looking forward to seeing her all done up and sailing down the rivers

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

Bayliner 3255   – With an unusual bow thruster

During last week surveys, I came across an interesting bow thruster on a Bayliner 3255.  As opposed to being built within a tunnel in the bow, the motor and props were externally mounted on the stem

I understand that these units are quite common in the USA being purchased off the shelf and can be DIY installed

     Not a recommended installation

So, as you can see from the above picture, all of the bow thruster is exposed.  And this is probably fine when sailing on the Broads (good for catching ropes etc) at a low speed but if one wants to enjoy a trip out at sea, two things are going to happen

1.     The bow thruster will almost certainly be out of the water when the boat is planing

2.    The chances of this unit suffering accidental impact damage are very high indeed

Since the vessel has twin outdrive propulsion and is reasonably small in length, It is better for the owner to practice control with the two engines and possibly consider removing the external bow thruster or investigating a way to have a bow thruster tunnel fitted.

Despite this slight concern, this boat was a good example of a Bayliner 3255.                     The interior was in a good condition with the usual fair wear and tear consistent with a vessel of this vintage, no osmosis was found and the boat was strongly built.

The usual questions were raised regarding the condition of the legs and since when buying a boat you are also buying one or two engines with it, we always recommend having a qualified marine engineer carry out an in-depth inspection of the out-drive units as they can be notoriously expensive to be put right.

Plus have an engine Oil Inspection Analysis which we offer as a service

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