Broads Gaffer

spottydog

spottydog

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 Feb 2004
Messages
294
Location
Norfok
Visit site
I have a Norfolk Broads gaff rigged cruiser built around 1930 by I believe the A D Truman boatyard.

She is 21' LOA including the bowsprit, iron 3/4 keel and lifting cabin top.

I would like to put her on a road trailer to get her to my house this winter. But I have no idea of her weight and therefore don't know what size trailer to buy. Could anyone suggest the approximate weight she might be or how to find out. The original boatyard where she was built no longer exists.
 
Broads yachts are lightly built, and rely more on form (broad beam and flat bilges) than ballast for stability. At that size, I would put her around the 1300 - 1500kg mark (assuming no inboard engine).

You may want to join the Norfolk Broads forum - there's a wealth of specialist experience there. www.the-norfolk-broads.co.uk
 
Can you post a photograph? She sounds interesting.
As dombuckley says, most Broads yachts are broad and shallow draft, apart traditionally (after about 1890) with a fin keel.
Mine is 21 feet (excluding bowsprit) built in the 1880s, and predates the Broads tradition by being narrow, with a long hunk of iron on the keel (perhaps about 3/4, ie from stem to rudder post, but shallower at the ends) and the narrow bilges full of scrap iron.

So if yours has an iron external keel, 3/4 of the length, it sounds a bit unusual for a 1930s Broads yacht.

FWIW mine weighs about 2 1/2 tons, I think. Certainly beyond a car to pull - it needed a LandRover.
 
Rather than guess, ask around local yards for a crane with a load indicator, and get them to lift her up to weigh her for you. It will be close enough to give you the load figure you need.

Get it wrong, the Plod will have a field day if they see you with an overloaded trailer!
 
My estimate allows a prudent margin for road transport. I would be surprised to learn she was under 2 tons, perhaps you can let us know when you find out?
 
I used to work for A D Trumans, but a long time after that yacht was built... She looks very much like a Fantasia class yacht - but I have not seen a gaff version before. When I joined the yard we still had a Fantasia in hire, but she had a Bermudan rig. As for weight - we never weighed the Fantasia but she was too heavy for the crane which was rated for 1.5 tonnes. I would guess that she is between 2 and 3 tonnes. It may be worth contacting Nick Truman who took over running the yard when Desmond Truman (who would have designed your yacht) retired. Nick still lives "above the yard". He may even have the original plans in his archive..
 
jon711 said:
I used to work for A D Trumans, but a long time after that yacht was built... She looks very much like a Fantasia class yacht - but I have not seen a gaff version before. When I joined the yard we still had a Fantasia in hire, but she had a Bermudan rig. As for weight - we never weighed the Fantasia but she was too heavy for the crane which was rated for 1.5 tonnes. I would guess that she is between 2 and 3 tonnes. It may be worth contacting Nick Truman who took over running the yard when Desmond Truman (who would have designed your yacht) retired. Nick still lives "above the yard". He may even have the original plans in his archive..
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info I will try to contact Mr Truman.
 
I don't recall Truman's ever having a gaff rigged boat in their hire fleet. Nick (NA) Truman is certainly your man - he's in the 'phone book but if you get stuck pm me. OF
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top