Broom 30

No Regrets

No Regrets

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Now I'm sure some of you learned Gentlemen have experience of these old things....

I'm thinking of 'downgrading' my lovely Birchwood to a Broom 30 with Flybridge. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(Don't start OK?)


She's a 1978, with the additional upper helm (I wouldn't quite describe it as a flybridge...) and single Purrkins on a shaft.

The condition is quite spectacular, with a new Gelcoat and windows on the topsides, and wholly lovely interior, with recently rebuilt engine to cap it all.

It's a bit too dear, but IMHO perfect for all weather Thames use, and gives us the chance to take more guests overnight.

Any bad points? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Thank you in advance for your help! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
The Broom 30 has consistently been a best seller since it was developed from the Broom Skipper. In my opinion they are all over priced. Having said that I have to admit the price is in keeping with the popularity and there's no doubting that they are a good river boat. I have even seen them make sea passages when the owners have carefully opted for the right weather.

In short, YES! and you shouldn't lose any money, economic climate excepted /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I agree with Byron. And they certainly squeezed a lot into 30ft. Most of them have osmosis to some degree or other but then they are of an age. My main reservation is the slight feeling of vulnerability when helming from 'up top'. This due mainly to the low height of the side rails/dodgers (any attempt to heighten them just spoils the lines of the boat) and the curvature of the cabin top which can make the placement of chairs a bit dodgy.

There was one with a single 90hp Perkins that used to take part regularly in the MBM x-channel cruises to France and Holland.
 
The phrase they all have osmosis because they of that age, does this mean I have to expect osmosis because my boat is old? What is old, my boat is 40yrs old when does the osmosis arrive? Not being rude, should I be lifting every year for winter to help with osmosis? and allow to dry.
 
Its probably fair to say all grp boats have osmosis, its just a question of degree, quite frankly I gave up worrying about it years ago. It just seems to be something people get all excited about when they have a survey with a "high" mositure reading, whatever that is? seems to depend on the meter used.
Taking the boat out eveyyear slows down the mositure absorbtion process, but you will never stop it, a boat does not actualy dryout unless you strip back the gelcoat and apply heaters. So unless you have blisters the size of dinner plates or small ones with ooze coming out, don't worry just enjoy the boat. Its a massively exaggerated problem that doesn't really need to be fixed.
 
I suppose the simple answer is 'yes' and its more prevalent in boats that have spent the majority of their life in fresh-water rather than salt. I was a great believer in an annual lift-out and store ashore for the winter. Most people seem to see this as beneficial. But I agree with chris_d - the only time osmosis really seems to matter is a) if it gets really serious and b) when you come to sell it! FWIW, I have never seen a boat sink due to osmosis, although one old Freeman 26 at Purley did come perilously near it.

Another thought (although I'm sure some might disagree) is that GRP was a fairly new material 30-40 years ago and moulding techniques probably weren't as advanced as they are today. Hulls were usually thicker but not necessarily so impervious
 
Nice boats with loads of space on board. I have seen custom decking made for the roof to give a flat base for table and chairs which looked stylish and sensible. The full canopy over the upper helm does look rather ungainly though.

Before Jedi they were one of the types being considered by SWMBO and I, we saw several and agree that the affordable ones are elderly or in need of doing up, the good ones are more pricey but probably a better bet.
 
This page is from 25 Years of Motor Cruisers published by Adlards Coles Nautical in assoc. with MBM.
broom30jpg.jpg

Neat little book which may well still be in print.
 
Its a nice riverboat perfect for the Thames, although to my eyes a bit upright.
Look out for one called "Wisecrack" around Bray way formaly owned by Ernie Wise.
 
I rather like the wheelhouse design, although the bows are a litte short in aesthetic terms, and as you say, dated due to the upright angles used.

But lacking the desire to lash out on the later Haines 31 style Brooms (All 60K plus!) this model appears to offer unrivalled style, practicality, all weather appeal and low running costs.

Very few local boats offer a flybridge too... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
I don't know what price is being asked for the one you are looking at, but you may wish to consider also "Julie Bebb" at Val Wyatt.
Asking £29950. twin engined and flybridge. Been for sale for a year now. Looking a bit down at heel, but needs damned good cut and wax outside and new curtains, carpets and upholstery due to multiple dog ownership. Mechanically well maintained. I suspect there may still be some movement in the price although already dropped some way.
Yes, I am biased as I know the owner, as does Byron.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I don't know what price is being asked for the one you are looking at, but you may wish to consider also "Julie Bebb" at Val Wyatt.
Asking £29950. twin engined and flybridge. Been for sale for a year now. Looking a bit down at heel, but needs damned good cut and wax outside and new curtains, carpets and upholstery due to multiple dog ownership. Mechanically well maintained. I suspect there may still be some movement in the price although already dropped some way.
Yes, I am biased as I know the owner, as does Byron.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes! like you Mike I know the owner well, what I didn't know was that the boat was on the market. This comes as a surprise he's owned it since Noah had an Ark.
I concur with your description. In my wildest dreams I cannot see it being worth nearly £30k especially in today's economic climate.
 
This ones Nephthys, at bray sales, and looks five years old, with a single purrkins, and unusually, a Nanni wing engine too!

£35K...far too much on one hand, but I'll bet the cleanest example remaining.
 
Single engine and wing are better IMHO for day to day use.

Twin engines on the upper Thames, on a 30 footer, at least, are going to be thirstier and noisier, and cost twice as much to service!

Sometimes, less is more /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Been for sale for a year now. Looking a bit down at heel, but needs damned good cut and wax outside

****
I concur with your description. In my wildest dreams I cannot see it being worth nearly £30k especially in today's economic climate

****

The price is a hangover from the good times and doesn t reflect what appears to be auto transmission oil in the bilges and the poor state of wiring under the dash.

Maybe just a few fixable leaks but maybe more serious.

How an many carpenters are needed to do the tappets on the Stb engine????

A Broom 30 with single engine must be fine for the river and give good accesibility.

Nearly called on that austere landowner opposite the B&W to inspect that nice old steel pinnace.. At least I knew what to expect.





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[ QUOTE ]
Single engine and wing are better IMHO for day to day use.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've heard of the Princess flying boat. But I didn't realise that Broom flying boats existed /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
Sheesh....I haven't bought the bloody thing yet, and you Birchwood owners are already having a go /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
"Single engine and wing are better IMHO for day to day use."

On a wing and a prayer......


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