Seamaster 813 – A Classic GRP Motor Cruiser 

This inspection was for insurance purposes and we were therefore more concerned with ‘insurance risk’ factors than with structural / operational items, these being covered in greater detail under the popular pre purchase survey

  Fitted with a single BMC 1.5 diesel engine

This boat, viewed at Waterside Marine Sales (Herbert Woods) at Potter Heigham was a good example of a Seamaster 813. She displayed fair wear and tear and general deterioration and bit of rust in some places but nothing alarming for a 36 year old GRP boat being commensurate with age

The vessel enjoys easy access to the aft cockpit, being level and therefore easily accessible from most quay headings around the Norfolk’s Broads. No need to ‘bend yourself in four’ to get on board, just step straight into the large aft cockpit

The helm station has been kept very simple and easy to use and the interior comprise a good double bed in the front with a decent sitting area / galley. A nice river going boat.

Easy aft access                                                                  Decent / wide side decks

There were several important items in respect of insurance being – Bilge pump satisfactory operation, Redundant seacocks not properly secured,  and the security of the propeller fixing – not a nice feeling when your prop drops off in the mud

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

Jeanneau Merry Fisher 755  – A Great Sport & Day Boat                               

A pre purchase inspection undertaken at the newly opened Norfolk Boat Sales, Brundall facility

This recently acquired and extensively refurbished 50 boat marina enables NBS to display boats afloat and to offer servicing facilities, plus a large travel lift for lifting and launching as required

This trailable boat measures 7.4m being powered by a single 150hp Yamaha Four Stroke Outboard

It was built by Jeanneau in 2013 and is therefore still ‘like new’, and it will take some time for it to start show fair wear and tear as it has been solidly built by Jeanneau.

The interior was surprisingly big with some clever storage ideas. Front cabin consist of a typical V berth and the main cabin is generous in proportion offering great visibility whilst the helm station has all the ‘spaceship alike’ control at hands.

    View of main cabin

With the help of Norfolk Boat Sales staff, we took the Jeanneau out for a speed / engine trial. Well, we were both looking forward to it and the boat performed well and reacted to all the manoeuvres just as expected.

All in all this is a very good example of Jeanneau’s quality of work and great fun to drive

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

Profile 33 – A Very Spacious Motor Cruiser                                                                    

Pre Purchase Survey – A displacement hull with central box keel and twin bilge keels

This Profile 33 built in the late 70’s is a ‘relatively large’ 10m motor cruiser fitted with twin Mercedes 42hp diesel engines. With a spacious interior and the added benefit of an aft cabin with two single bed whilst the forward cabin is a classic V berth type.

This vessel was viewed at the developing St-Olaves Marina which has available moorings. The Profile 33 has been reasonably maintained by  the previous owner. However a few details have been over-looked over the years mainly due to difficult access to those areas and consequently the vessel is now in need of some attention and improvement.

Necessary improvements include the steering support bracket which has pretty much disappeared over the years due to heavy corrosion and the port engine / propeller shaft which appears for some unknown reason to be misaligned and obviously needs correcting

‘Suspected’ misaligned prop shaft                       Corroded steering bracket

However, once these areas have been corrected the vessel should give enjoyable cruising to her new owners.

I particularly enjoyed the main cabin which is comfortable and spacious and offers a good look-out from the helm station. Down below is a large well equipped galley offering all what is needed to keep a hungry crew happy on the water

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

Fairline Mirage 29 – Aft cabin                                              

Fitted with a single Volvo Penta diesel engine and shaft propulsion

 A Fairline Mirage 29 ‘floating’ in the air.

This 1985 Fairline Mirage 29 was viewed at Waterside Marina, located in the famous Herbert Wood boatyard at Potter Heigham.

The medium V shape hull allows to a steady and economical cruising speed whilst if fitted with powerful engine will do some decent boat top speed.

The internal arrangement comprise a comfy main cabin with good sitting area and a forward cabin with V berth. The aft cabin with two single beds is a great design for a weekend out with friends allowing everyone to enjoy a bit of privacy whilst the roof accommodate a sun bed area, great for chilling out and enjoying the view.

Interior view with V berth in forward cabin           Sun deck with access door to aft cabin

The vessel was well maintained and mostly displayed general fair wear and tear commensurate with age, however one item of safety was picked upon.

It consisted of the LPG gas pipe’s route passing too close to the hot air heater’s exhaust pipe. For the obvious reason the gas pipe should be re-routed to a safe distance from the exhaust heat. This item should be easy enough to be put right.

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

DC27 – Salvage Buyer Required                                                                                         (# 00870)

Due to an unfortunate incident (not a structural fault) this private Dawn Craft – DC 27 boat unfortunately sank earlier this year but was quickly refloated with minimal structural damage

Inboard petrol engine has been partially inhibited (bores filled with oil etc) propulsion being an outdrive unit

We represent a major Marine Insurance Company who have requested we dispose of this DC 27 on their behalf and are therefore looking for a salvage buyer – professional or private

If interested contact us as below

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

It is not our usual policy to promote ourselves in this way but having regard to the importance of the HMRC case in hand and our contribution, we are printing in full a testimonial letter sent to The Academy of Experts based at Gray’s Inn London, one of the Barristers – Inns of Court, from our client

 Combined Arms of the Four Inns of Court

EU Qualifying Ship for VAT purposes

The background to this action was whether or not VAT was chargeable on a 55 tonne twin engine steel trawler yacht purchased in the Far East and driven to the UK for the purposes of a floating home & office

” Sirs

I’m writing to provide you with feedback concerning a member of your society, Mr John Clabburn of European Marine Services Ltd.

In early 2014, I was in dispute with HMRC regarding the tax liability associated with a boat which I had purchased in 2013. That dispute had reached the stage of being referred to the First Tier Tax Tribunal. It was my belief that the boat should be considered a Qualifying Ship under the VAT Act and therefore not liable for VAT upon importation to the United Kingdom. Sadly, HMRC disagreed with that belief and felt that VAT was due at the rate of 20%.

 Similar vessel

After speaking with a local marine surveyor, they recommended that I speak with Mr Clabburn as they felt he was very experienced in this type of work. Mr Clabburn visited me in Lowestoft, discussed the definition of a Qualifying Ship, agreed to inspect the boat, and provide a report of his findings.

Once the inspection was undertaken I received a copy of the report and this looked at various aspects of the Qualifying Ship criteria together with the findings which Mr Clabburn had reached. This document was provided to HMRC but they refused to change their view and the case continued to a London Tribunal which was held in August 2014.

I appointed David Southern QC to represent me at the hearing and asked that Mr Clabburn attend to present his report to the tribunal. The case was scheduled to be heard over a period of two days and a judgement was expected within a month of the hearing.

However, around two hours in to the hearing Mr Clabburn was called to present his report and undergo cross-examination from HMRC’s lawyer. The cross examination explored several views which HMRC held and Mr Clabburn disagreed with. After around an hour of cross-examination the hearing was adjourned for lunch. Immediately after the lunch it was announced that HMRC were to withdraw their resistance to the topic and recommend my position was accepted by the tribunal. This was on the basis of the strength of Mr Clabburn’s presentation as it left them with no option to continue to defend the matter.

HMRC have since stated “Once Mr Clabburn gave evidence they realistically accepted that they would not be able to counter his factual assertions effectively at the hearing.” They have gone on to add that his evidence was provided in a “firm and absolute manner”.

Similarly, Mr David Southern QC made comment that he felt that Mr Clabburn was one of the best expert witnesses that he had encountered. He was particularly impressed with his clear answers, ability to discuss a complex topic and the assertive presentation.

Finally, in a subsequent document from the tribunal the judge made reference to the manner in which the evidence was presented by the expert and the firm manner in which his points were made.

I therefore felt it relevant to highlight to you the exceptional service which I have received from your member. The topic took approximately two years to conclude and involved a substantive sum of money. The assistance which Mr Clabburn provided me was delivered promptly, professionally and in a manner that greatly assisted a resolution being achieved. This was a unique case, the first production boat, which has been accepted in the EU to be a Qualifying Ship under the VAT rules.

Yours sincerely, ”

Name withheld for confidentiality

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd. 

     Marine Surveyors & Consultants | ADR Mediation  |  Expert Witness 
www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: (44) 01603 327 123

Cruiser International Vee Express 267   –   Fitted with 2x Volvo Penta Petrol Engines

We have carried out a second Pre Purchase Survey in as many weeks of a Cruiser International V sports boat, the brokers again being the Norfolk Yacht Agency (NYA) Brundall, inspection undertaken at their well equipped Service Centre – where their staff are always on hand to help.

With the help of Tiffany being in command of speed trials we carried out engine performance tests etc and achieved very respectable speeds of 28 mph in the de-restricted zone

This model of cruiser has a long dolphin nose design, being a useful foredeck area for rope handling etc

The steering console is equipped like a performance sports car

View of one of the  Volvo Penta AQ171C  4 cylinder petrol engines

View of interior being roomy and comfortable

This boat is designed with a front V cabin and aft cabin under the aft cockpit, as well as the classic push down table to add extra berthing. The helm station offers a good all round visibility and there is a nice comfortable cockpit.

The main findings of this inspection was that the boat was suffering from lack of TLC and equipment corrosion.  The steering installation needs attention / servicing but nothing that cannot be fixed for minimal expenditure. As with all engines of this vintage (1970s) we always recommend a mechanical inspection to protect the buyer’s investment

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

Allante 705 VRi  –  Sports Express Weekend Cruiser                                      

A very nice and attractive sports day cruiser built 1997 by Campion Marine of Canada

We undertook a Pre Purchase Inspection of this  express sports cruiser whilst ashore at St Olaves, being the first time we have inspected this particular make of boat

Designed with a very accommodating and comfortable (if small) forward cabin with a small toilet cubicle, this boat is very much a weekender with no on board service facilities such as a cooking etc. However a small wash basin is provided in the aft – very open cockpit

The aft cockpit area is most unusual with seating up to and around the single engine lift hatch but works well and exiting onto a large rear bathing platform The cockpit floor being teak laid with access hatches designed for such as water skis

This boat is built for speed and performance with a 350hp inboard Mercruiser and will undoubtedly provide an exhilarating experience

We suspect that there is water trapped between the inner forward moulding and hull moulding as very high moisture readings obtained but no evidence of osmosis – A problem easily solved

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

Princess 30DS – Electrolysis / Galvanic Action                                                              

We undertook a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) on this Princess motor boat and found a most unusual phenomena in so far as the antifoul paint had been stripped clean in the areas immediately surrounding all underwater bronze skin fittings

The bottom had been antifouled blue on top of a copper undercoat, which undercoating had not been left clear of all underwater appendages such a skin fittings, rudder stocks,                 P brackets etc.

It is our opinion that an electrolytic current has been set up within the copper based undercoat and the bronze skin fittings, the consequence of which a ‘reaction’ has stripped off the blue antifoul paint within the immediate vicinity of bronze skin fittings.

When the copper undercoat was applied it is necessary to leave a clean (unpainted) radius of approximately 2″-3″ around ALL bronze skin fittings

The owner of this Princess is very fortunate not to have had his props, rudder, P brackets etc attacked and destroyed by electrolysis / galvanic action

For more information on electrolysis & galvanic activity visit (search) our earlier blogs entitled……

* Anodes for Boats – A Clear and Simple Resume          PLUS:

* Searay 290        This blog / post details how a boat sank consequent of electrolysis

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