boatone
Well-Known Member
Shakedown cruise from PH to Marlow and back with stopover at MDL Windsor both ways.
A few observations which may be of interest:
Broom 34 is 7 feet longer than Hardy but a massive 3 feet wider so had to drastically revise spatial thinking ! Result was generally very cautious approach and entry to locks and moorings and some adjustment of fender positions as the trip progressed! Only single engine now (Hardy was twin) together with the ubiquitous bow thruster which I am more than happy to use - in fact found myself wishing there was a stern thruster on more than one occasion. Broom has a bit of a keel/skeg but not as directionally stable as previous boat and steering, though hydraulic, is quite heavy.
Waiting for a new stop solenoid so whole trip accomplished by using jury rig pull cord to stop lever on fuel pump which was a bit of a pain but easy enough through small hatch next to con. Instruments generally behaved with usual inaccuracy of fuel and water level meters to be expected. No separate rudder indicator but Raymarine Autopilot display provides this so was using it in Stand By Mode quite happily. However, life got quite interesting when for no apparent reason it decided to take it into its head to switch to Auto and apply full port rudder !!!! Initial panic gave way (very quickly) to immediate pressing of Stand By Button and rapid turning of wheel back to recover midships position. Did this two or three times before decided best turn it off and rely on intuition - no further problems but begs question as to why this should happen? One suggestion from another knowledgeable boater is possible interference from VHF?
Simrad Chart Plotter works well but only have manual in german (boat was originally supplied to german customer) and been impossible to obtain paper copy of English manual. Now have in pdf form on iPad. Although proper charting not available does actually show good schematic of river with key locations etc.
Masses of room inside and evening relaxing and comfort much improved. Need to do something about more pleasant lighting - led string waiting to be installed. Ebersplutter (when working) raises cabin temperature to toast level fairly quickly which was very welcome when waking to temperature of 3 C on Monday morning ! Good domestic water pressure and huge calorifier mean plenty of hot water but only luke warm next morning - only ever had a really effective calorifer and that was when it was brand new.
Huge windows to clean but Karcher WindowVac excellent !
200 HP six cylinder Volvo TAMD41A gives lots of power and consumption looks like under a gallon an hour at river speed including considerable use of heater.
Finally back at PH and a look down engine bay revealed several litres clear water in bilge under engine - not coolant so must be a leak in the raw water side somewhere that needs sorting.
River was generally very quiet. Marlow moorings pretty well full when we arrived around 2pm on Saturday but a mass exodus around 3:30 before filling up again late afternoon.
So, all in all a good weekend of discovery, delight, and a little despair - don't you just love boats?
Oh yes, and enjoyed a very pleasant meal at the George and Dragon in Marlow with Apollo and family and had a brief chat with Gavi as we passed his now post floods re-occupied abode at Staines.
A few observations which may be of interest:
Broom 34 is 7 feet longer than Hardy but a massive 3 feet wider so had to drastically revise spatial thinking ! Result was generally very cautious approach and entry to locks and moorings and some adjustment of fender positions as the trip progressed! Only single engine now (Hardy was twin) together with the ubiquitous bow thruster which I am more than happy to use - in fact found myself wishing there was a stern thruster on more than one occasion. Broom has a bit of a keel/skeg but not as directionally stable as previous boat and steering, though hydraulic, is quite heavy.
Waiting for a new stop solenoid so whole trip accomplished by using jury rig pull cord to stop lever on fuel pump which was a bit of a pain but easy enough through small hatch next to con. Instruments generally behaved with usual inaccuracy of fuel and water level meters to be expected. No separate rudder indicator but Raymarine Autopilot display provides this so was using it in Stand By Mode quite happily. However, life got quite interesting when for no apparent reason it decided to take it into its head to switch to Auto and apply full port rudder !!!! Initial panic gave way (very quickly) to immediate pressing of Stand By Button and rapid turning of wheel back to recover midships position. Did this two or three times before decided best turn it off and rely on intuition - no further problems but begs question as to why this should happen? One suggestion from another knowledgeable boater is possible interference from VHF?
Simrad Chart Plotter works well but only have manual in german (boat was originally supplied to german customer) and been impossible to obtain paper copy of English manual. Now have in pdf form on iPad. Although proper charting not available does actually show good schematic of river with key locations etc.
Masses of room inside and evening relaxing and comfort much improved. Need to do something about more pleasant lighting - led string waiting to be installed. Ebersplutter (when working) raises cabin temperature to toast level fairly quickly which was very welcome when waking to temperature of 3 C on Monday morning ! Good domestic water pressure and huge calorifier mean plenty of hot water but only luke warm next morning - only ever had a really effective calorifer and that was when it was brand new.
Huge windows to clean but Karcher WindowVac excellent !
200 HP six cylinder Volvo TAMD41A gives lots of power and consumption looks like under a gallon an hour at river speed including considerable use of heater.
Finally back at PH and a look down engine bay revealed several litres clear water in bilge under engine - not coolant so must be a leak in the raw water side somewhere that needs sorting.
River was generally very quiet. Marlow moorings pretty well full when we arrived around 2pm on Saturday but a mass exodus around 3:30 before filling up again late afternoon.
So, all in all a good weekend of discovery, delight, and a little despair - don't you just love boats?
Oh yes, and enjoyed a very pleasant meal at the George and Dragon in Marlow with Apollo and family and had a brief chat with Gavi as we passed his now post floods re-occupied abode at Staines.
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