JennyMorgan

Having looked at the F/B page my main concern is that there appears to be no cod-n-chips, arghhhhh! I need to go there & decide for myself. https://www.facebook.com/geldestonlocks/ They do Aspalls!!!!!! No Adnams though

Ohhhhh dear! Where will us posh folk who want to slum it go now? I would hope that The Locks remains as The Locks rather than being turned into just another 'okay yar' gastropub.

Having reviewed the advert I think that as a condition of purchase I would insist on a new boat safety certificate being issued. I say this because a number of pictures show a mass of electrical wiring which I truly doubt to have been professionally installed. Let's just say, room for concern, and maybe a price drop. The advert has also had a large number of views yet she is still up for sale thus the vendor might well be open to a realistic offer, good luck. It's unusual to see white painted rubbing strakes.

Hopefully, when informed of the problem, said professional will right the wrongs, surely.

We are agreed on that. Interestingly no one has commented on the reference to the Countryfile program. Doubtless JP will be using that opportunity to promote his favourite untruth!

I read it all, there is some good news, such as the dredging at Hickling. It isn't exactly a Barton Broad style restoration but at least the Authority is dredging.

There's a thought!

Several years ago now a friend of mine had a small yard & moorings where the engine compartment of a sport cruiser caught fire causing severe damage. The end result was a quality repair with the boat being two feet longer, a new aft cabin and engine room plus the hull was re-lined! A quality job, the owner was well pleased.

Funny that you should write that! It crossed my mind that she might now have a steel superstructure. Not likely but not impossible. My train of thought, now, is that the forward section of superstructure is basically original whilst the aft cabin is of a later date. It is certainly a tad box like and slightly at odds with rest of the boat, sufficient to warrant asking questions. Unless things have changed drastically the good folk at Penton Hook are very helpful, they might also be able to answer a few questions.

Very true but my gut feeling is that there won't be one. The advert features well over 100 pictures but not one of the builders plate, surprising, just about everything else has been photographed.

Just a thought, too late to edit, but I am concerned that she might be a rebuild rather than an original Broom. Not to say that a fire damaged boat, for example, can't be refitted and refitted well but I would want to know that. GRP lends itself to some amazing rebuilds but it begs the question, when does a Broom cease to be a Broom.

Good luck! I note in the advert that the hull is grp, as expected. No mention of the superstructure though. Check what the decks are made of too. Re Thornycroft engines, don't think that many Broads boatyards fitted them. Ask the vendor if a surveyor's report is available, he might have had to get one for his insurance company.

This is a topic that cropped up several years ago on the Drascombe Owners website. Drascombes were certainly supplied with an HN during the 1970's so I assumed that that would be the case for other boats. However, I too may be wrong!

Have now looked at the original site advertising the boat. I suggested 35k, I'd go in at 30k tops. Judging by the huge amount of exposed screws and shoddy timber work under the soles/decks she is not a Broom unless she's one that's been rebuilt by a yard other than Broom. The aft cabin structure is very box like thus I would want to know who built that and what of. I do like the logic of the layout and the lack of any unnecessary paraphernalia, personally I would be tempted but I would want a professional survey on this one. A great deal of fancy woodwork, which I like, but not what I'd expect of Brooms. I'd proceed with care.

Pumpmedic, suggest that you ask the present owner what the HN (hull number) is and request a picture of the builder's plate, that should settle the question as to whether she's a Broom or not.

I'm with Marshman on this one. The 'dressed' screws might not be visible but surely it's no bad discipline to treat them as if they were.

As for guessing the price, with no prior knowledge on this one I'd suggest 35K. I don't know that Aquafibre were particularly fussy as to who they sold their mouldings to. The layout suggests that the builder knew something about boats. My only reservation would be if it was DIY by a house builder! She appears to be unique and a lot of people will be shy of the single engine but for me that would be a part of the attraction. As for the possibility of the superstructure being timber, If it's been well sheathed, and maintained then I see no problem. It's a combination that I would be happy with, especially as condensation will be less of a problem.

That's tasty! Re the windows, rubber gasketed windows of the time were prone to popping out, large ones even breaking if a heavy wave came over the side. As for the single engine, two are not really required on the Broads, or the Thames for that matter. To my mind she's an out and out river cruiser and a very nice one too.

I'm sure that he can be but the harsh reality is that it appears that he isn't. DEFRA has certainly made it clear that it won't interfere with the running of the BA. Thankfully three of our local MPs are on side, acknowledging the democratic deficit of the Authority. However, if 'he' is answerable to anyone in the civil service then I can't tell you who that is.

Marshman is absolutely right about the windows, probably built for the Thames as a river rather than as an estuary boat. Is she single or twin screw?

Richardsons famously have a vinyl wrapped hull in their hire fleet, one that looks a bit like a pirate ship. Clive, where are you when we want you? https://www.richardsonsboatingholidays.co.uk/boats/the-jolly-richie/

The panels, although well proportioned and she does look right, appear to lack the curves that one might expect of a moulded structure. I might well be wrong though!

That is one good looking boat! Don't take this as gospel but whilst the hull looks familiar, might be Broom or Aquafibre, the topsides look to be a one off, possibly sheathed ply. I really like the look of this one, even though it doesn't have a sail! It looks well thought out with no unnecessary bling!

Excellent and wholly reasonable.

Not a security issue, I'm sure! It is just a shame that the Authority had to be dragged kicking and screaming into dredging. Once it was realized that there were conservation advantages, reedbed re-creation and an increase in the flushing factor, the Authority pulled its finger out and now appears to be doing a good job! Surely you remember the hoo-ha from the sailing fraternity over the reluctance by the Authority in dredging The Sound? Anyway, a welcome change of heart. Ten years, are you sure? How time flies!