The 'name plaques' for my boat are almost complete...now time for some gilding...

Grand Banks 42 Classic Refit - Handrails

Im cracking on with a lot of the finishing work now on my Grand Banks 'Destiny'. Ive got a couple of buddies helping me this week so things are moving on a lot quicker. Ive started painting the front of the boat, Rich is hitting all the hand rails and is making a super job. Cookies fairing and sanding other areas and helping me with some of the individual pieces.... still looking to lift her out in about 4 weeks time to paint the bottom.

Before and after! 

Made three plaques for her Index Number

Long painstaking work sanding back all the hand rails.

The wheel for the upper helm has come back to life

Nav light boxes - sanded and varnished

First coat of varnish on the steps..... four to go...zzzzz

Fairline Squadron 42

I had the day at Norfolk Yacht Agency today taking a look at this stylish looking Motor Yacht. Since day one, Fairline has been known for building rugged boats and the Squadron 42 continues the practice. 

Apparently two layers of gelcoat are brushed, not sprayed, into the mold before the first layer of fiberglass is laminated. Extra gelcoat means a more durable finish, and one that's easier to repair when the inevitable dings and scratches appear. After layup is complete, Fairline also gelcoats the inside of the hull – the smooth finish is easier to clean, and resists water absorption in the bilges.

The laminate proper is alternate layers of hand-laid unidirectional fabric and woven roving, using isophthalic resin to protect against osmosis, important in areas where the boat will stay overboard all year. Polyurethane foam coring stiffens the deck; integrally molded engine stringers support the bottom. A liner is bonded to the hull, and then the hull and deck are both bolted and bonded to create a strong almost-monocoque structure. Bulkheads are carefully hand-fitted, then fiberglassed into place. The result is a boat with a minimum of squeaks and rattles, and one that will be as happy in the boisterous waters of the North Sea as in the balmy Mediterranean.

Surveyors comments: Obviously a solidly built boat. Interior finish a little disappointing with iron on edges to some of the joinery. Still a squeeze to get into those shower cubicles. 

Grand Banks 42 Classic Refit 2014 Rigging

Well Im starting to get into some detail now. I always like seeing this stage of any restoration, the rewards! Ive posted a few images of the rigging which is now complete. I plan to paint the superstructure next week weather permitting and we will sand all the hand rails back. I found myself a brand new Pram Dinghy on Ebay for £500 which will sit on the aft coachroof. Im still looking to lift her out at Bells Marina just after Easter, and I guess a few more weeks after this she will be almost complete..... cant believe my luck with probably one of the mildest winters on record!

The mast was solid mahogany so i stripped off 45 years of white paint and varnished! 

New Blocks... don't ask how much! 

The wheel from the upper helm re-varnished as she was looking a little sad! 

The navigation light boxes.... oiled and varnished...

I got my Broads Number... but  I will go for much smaller numerals in white and mount them on Teak plaques... cut down from the old name boards

Destiny's Child! 

A pic of the 'Old Girl' just before I bought her. 

Pegasus 800

My apologies... no BLOGGING for days as its just been so busy with boat sales this time of year. I must also get some pics together of my Grand Banks 42 and the refit - as shes certainly coming along!

I was at Russel Marines Yard in South Walsham today. These Yachts are very common on the Norfolk Broads and there seems to be quite a gathering of them over at Upton and South Walsham. A modern styled 26-footer from Rydgeway Marine, the Pegasus 800 is an attractive small cruiser with a well-finished interior. Nominally six berth, she is in fact much more practical for two to four. With six foot headroom, she has a surprising spacious and comfortable saloon. Many of the centreboard versions of these boats were used on the Norfolk Broads, but they are also capable coastal cruisers like this example with the wing keel.

Originally fitted with either a 6 hp Dolphin petrol engine with shaft drive, or like this one with a Volvo 7.5 diesel with saildrive, many, particularly the petrol engined boats, will by now have been re-engined.

The Pegasus 800 hull was offered with choices of fin keel, twin bilge keels or centreboard, and a number of options were offered for the interior. The rig has a narrow high aspect main, and a large overlapping genoa. 

Surveyors comments: Built from 1977 to the early 1990s by Rydgeway Marine, and later by Pegasus Yachts, the Pegasus 800 was designed by Gordon Harris. Rydgeway's boat names mostly started with a P - ie Pandora, Pirate, Prospect, Prelude and the Pegasus 700, 800 and 1100 models.

She is a moderately fast boat for her size, and when reviewed by 'Practical Boat Owner' they commented ".... her helm was always light, and she remained sensitive without being over twitchy".

Your chance to get involved in plans for the Broads -Yare Valley

Wednesday 19 March, Reedham Village Hall, 5pm to 8.30pm



People living in, working in and visiting the Yare Valley are invited to get involved in future plans and projects in the area.

The Broads Authority is holding an interactive area parish forum at Reedham Village Hall on Wednesday March 19th to share information about its work and hear local peoples’ ideas and views.

The public are invited to drop in between 5pm and 8.30pm to meet Broads Authority Members and staff, including the local rangers. There will be information and displays on everything from landscape and cultural history, tourism and recreation, wildlife and habitats, to planning matters, local access, navigation, volunteering opportunities and climate change adaptation. There will be a brief presentation at 7pm with a chance to ask questions.

Ideas will be particularly welcome on improving land and waterside access and on local information for an exciting new Broads landscape interpretation project.

The informal forum follows a successful launch event at Ludham, covering the Upper Bure & Ant, last autumn.  Four forums are planned for each year covering the Authority’s ranger areas. Following the Yare event, forums will be held in the Lower Bure & Thurne in the summer, the Waveney in September and the Upper Bure & Ant in November. 

For more information visit www.broads-authority.gov.uk or telephone 01603 756070.

Connoisseur 1135

I had the morning at SouthWalsham Broad today Surveying this Broads Cruiser for Insurance. She was built in Wroxham, England in 1986 by Porter & Haylett (Connoisseur) for Connoisseur’s rental fleet.

She would of originated from Connoisseur’s base at Trebes, near Carcassonne on the Canal du Midi and transferred to the then Connoisseur base, Port Lalande at Castelmoron-sur-Lot on the River Lot. She’s well traveled!

Since the early 1990s, Porter & Haylett have been known as Connoisseur Cruisers, named after their most successful classes. In 2009, the company took the name of the parent company - le Boat and moved their base to the old Wilds yard in Horning.


The Connoisseur 37 was first produced in 1979, followed in the early 1980s, by the longer 42ft version. The second pairing was produced during 1992 (for the 45ft version) and 1993 (for the 40ft). A number of other models have been produced since 1990, but until c2010 these were only placed on waterways other than the Broads, partly because of their size!

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at:  steventruss1@aol.com

Haines 335 for sale Carrick on Shannon

I surveyed this locally built Cruiser for the second time today. The Haines 335 is an ideal Broads Boat and offers accommodation for 6 in two private en-suite cabins and the saloon. Accommodation provided is unsurpassed in similar craft of this size. She also had a great upper deck steering position with folding screen option.

She has the 135HP Perkins diesel installed which is powerful enough to cruise the coast in fine weather.

Surveyor’s comments: Excellent build quality from this established local boat builder. The fuel, gas and electrical systems have all been competently installed. The finish to the interior woodwork is top class. She’s an ideal family cruiser for the inland waterways.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at:  steventruss1@aol.com