Boat type for Thames and Sea - Possible?

Flynnbarr - valid points. i have been looking at a Crown 37 and it looks like a good living space. The 41+2 does have the wood, but it appears (appears!) to be in good nick and is new. The engines are twin Volvo TAMD 306hp so probably thirsty. Also the hard top aft section is not great. Not an ideal choice but certainly hits the accommodation requirements. Trying to find a good sized crown within budget in my eastern area to look at and get a real feel. cheers
 
Friend had a 41+2 a few years back. Absolutely loved the boat but always said it was far more comfortable to be on when underway rather than moored up in any sort of swell. Actually changed moorings to be in Hythe Marina in his last year of ownership when he was using it more as just a weekend retreat rather than something to go somewhere with.
 
that is a good point Wavey. The profile does lead to more movement when moored. Would the Brooms be a better choice in this regards also i wonder? I am going to go to NBS to see a host of Brooms on the weekend as they do seem to be the most recommended across a number of factors - living, river, sea, build and price holding. I feel a loosening of th ebudget belt..a
 
I just purchased a Broom , that's is the boat you want, feel free to PM me and you can have a look at mine, but call Dominic Saunders at Bray Marine he is a good guy and sells the boats you want for this specific purpose
 
Not sure how much research you have done Alastair but the Broom Crown, Continetal and Ocean 37 were all built using the same hull and engines (some a Crowns have Volvos but most have the Perkins laid on their sides). Different layouts and the Crown is probably the best with a central berth in the aft cabin and separate shower compartment. Also worth looking at the 12m Monarch....more money but a lot of boat.

If you Google Broom Owners Club you will find their website and they have a gallery of all current and discontinued Broom models.

I have sent you a PM. Cheers
 
As a wild card the Princess 435 might be worth look.They are around at the your price point.
However we are now entering into the dreaded bane of all boat purchasers...........length inflation. :)
 
It's not just length inflation, it's budget inflation too.
I went to buy a Broom with a budget. Did I buy a Broom - yes. Did I keep to my budget - no. I spent 50% more than planned, and sold my beloved Lotus Exige and more spare kidneys than I knew I had to do so.

Just beware Alastair, whether buying a Broom or another brand, you're venturing into very dangerous territory :) :) :)
 
Many thanks Greg, i have PM a reply.

Oldgit - i have looked at the 435 when i was looking at the 415, and it is certainly getting on for size and maybe too long for me, but still in the mix.
Wavey - i am coming to terms with the budget being savaged with buying a good Broom. In the debate going on in my head i see the Broom maximised living space and reputation as a safe bet for myself, who knows nothing of these things.. Regards the engines, are Perkins ok, or are the Volvos the better option if possible? I live in Norwich during the weekends, so having a Broom seems a loyal thing to do. Also if i can buy one up that way i can get it into London fairly easily.

I have an old 1960's Aston Martin that i restored and brought with me from Australia. I am used to having surprising and unnaturally long bills appear, but i really hope i do not have to take on another passionate drain... ..oh well!! Its all fun! A
 
Perkins were the mainstay of Brooms for years until they effectively reached the end of their production life. Agricultural engines and many would say don't touch them the proverbial barge pole due to spares issues. Brooms themselves and the owners club have gone above and beyond to try and keep supplies going, or at least find out where bits can be sourced. Whatever the doom bringers say I personally haven't yet heard of any Broom owners forced into binning the engines because they couldn't get bits. There's an awful lot of them out there still running perfectly well. Had the 145hp 6354 units in a previous boat and loved them. Even I could work on them :)

Volvo units I can't help you with as the only ones I've had experience of were never fitted to Brooms. If you have a question on a particular variant then volvopaul on here is probably your best bet for impartial and down to earth advice.
 
apollo said:
actually its Smulders, but your right, he is a good broker...
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Always given good sound advice. I am on my 5th Boat from Thames Boat sales, and don't bother with surveys any more, as his immediate description is always spot on, whether it's in his interest or not.

Current boat was immediately described as 'Having more Osmosis blisters than I have ever seen' when I enquired, and I'm about to enjoy my 3rd season with almost trouble free boating.

Honesty is the best policy, and if you want it straight, Dominic is the man. Every part exchange/boat brokerage has been dealt with in an utterly professional manner.....highly recommended!
 
I wouldn't rule out a displacement hull necessarily .They are quite capable of coastal and crossing the channel. You would have to be more mindful of the weather forecast and it would take longer of course but some people prefer to take their time.
If you plan to spend time on the inland waterways you would have a boat perfectly suited for that.You could get a decent 12 to 14 metre for your budget.Anyway good luck with your search.

Martin
 
If you are going to use the upper part of the Thames then length and draft become an issue. We have a Sealine F43 and contrary to an earlier post it is a Tardis. The bigger problem is that at 43 feet and a draft of 4feet we couldn't alongside the banks other than on the limited official moorings. If I was doing the upper Thames again I would go for a 30 something footer then again.
 
Well, armed with excellent advice from the above, especially Greg whom has been very generous with his time, I have been in and out of ten or so Brooms this week. My search has narrowed down on an Ocean 42. This gives me the space i need to live on during the week, the Broom benefits - build, reputation etc - and ability to do occasional Thames and sea. My last request for advice is should there be any tips and problems to look out for when viewing this particular type of boat?

Warmly welcome good and bad points! Hopefully i will be afloat in the early new year! Best alastair
 
AlastairH said:
Well, armed with excellent advice from the above, especially Greg whom has been very generous with his time, I have been in and out of ten or so Brooms this week. My search has narrowed down on an Ocean 42. This gives me the space i need to live on during the week, the Broom benefits - build, reputation etc - and ability to do occasional Thames and sea. My last request for advice is should there be any tips and problems to look out for when viewing this particular type of boat?

Warmly welcome good and bad points! Hopefully i will be afloat in the early new year! Best alastair
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There are so many different Ocean 42s, there doesn't seem to be a standard one. I know these inside out as have worked on many of them, what one have you in mind? I might be able to give you some info on its history.
They are a great boat with loads of internal space and the joinery is very well made.
One thing to look at is fuel tanks as they are getting to that age now when they could need replacing, its straight forward job but check their condition.
 
AlastairH said:
Thank you for the great suggestions. Does that mean the princess 415 is totally unsuitable? For the proposed budget there seemed to be more for the money than Broom, although it is a great brand so build quality and reputation for ,broom is good. The river part of my travels will only be Thames and probably as far as Richmond.

I have not heard of the Atlantic so will search. I thought the birchwood would be rather like the 415. It will be stayed on far more than moved unfortunately.. Cheers
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r


Hi, I have not read all the posts. But I would not rule out going upstream of Richmond. I have a boat on the tidal Thames. Downstream crushing is great but there are few places to moor, so you would have to commit yourself to Medway and also plan your journeys around the tide (unless you fuel costs are not a concern). Where as upstream of Richmond you have can moor at lots of places and although not challenging sailing it is great place to motor boat.
 
AlastairH said:
Well, armed with excellent advice from the above, especially Greg whom has been very generous with his time, I have been in and out of ten or so Brooms this week. My search has narrowed down on an Ocean 42. This gives me the space i need to live on during the week, the Broom benefits - build, reputation etc - and ability to do occasional Thames and sea. My last request for advice is should there be any tips and problems to look out for when viewing this particular type of boat?
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A Broom would be a very good choice principally because of its relatively low air draft and because even the full planing hulled Brooms have a keel and therefore offer a degree of protection to the props which is very worthwile having if you are going to venture up into the non tidal Thames. A Princess 415 has no keel and with it's higher air draft it is going to struggle to get under Windsor bridge and even under some bridges on the tidal Thames at the top of the tide. In addition, Brooms tend to have wider side decks which will make line handling easier in locks and for mooring. Having said this, the Ocean 42s are getting on a bit in years and it might be wiser to stretch your budget further to get a newer Broom 38/39/42CL
 
Update.

Thallac - i am now keen, time willing, to get out West above Richmond as I have heard many good things and never been. So, as soon as the longer days appear and i can go I am going to investigate. There seems to be so many communities of keen water folk on the Thames, which is a great thing to discover.

Deleted User - i have stuck to the Broom brand due to reasons including the excellent ones you mention. The ocean 42s are getting on - but arent we all - and i believe they were well made. (my car is from 1968 and my house from 1598, so an 80's 42 is a new member to the group!). I have found one that has been well looked after and documented as such. It is being surveyed with an engineer onboard as well, so hopefully the expert eyes will spot anything, and lets hope there is nothing..

I will be living on the 42 five nights a week and moving it once a month if i am lucky. I think the layout is large enough not to go mad, and fitted out to be comfortable. The newer boats were better boats for modern reasons, but my budget could not stretch to it this time out. As a starter motor boat on the Thames i feel this is a good jump..

Will let you know how it all goes..

Thanks
Alastair
 
AlastairH said:
Will let you know how it all goes..
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Btw Alastair, it is against forum regulations for any forumite to buy a new boat without asking for advice first and then posting loads of pics of it on the forum;);)
 
I think Alastair has found a good compromise and wish him all the best with his new acquisition. For sure the surveyor will come up with a few bits and bobs but given it's Broom that appears to have been well loved and well looked after he shouldn't have any big issues.

We've got a 42cl Mike referred to and it's a fantastic boat. We've had it on the non-tidal Thames and more recently on the coast. We even lived aboard for almost 3 years. It really is the perfect all-rounder but it's also way, way above Alastair's budget and it's too much of a leap of faith to jump straight in with something like that.

If the Ocean 42 works out for him he should be ready to move on to a 42cl around about the time we'll be thinking of selling ours :).

Joking of course :D.
 
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