Broom 970 tips for viewing

[Sowenna]

Hi all

I plan to look at a late 80's Broom 970 with a pair of TAMD30A's. Any tips on what to look out for on a first viewing?

Does anyone know what the fuel tanks will be made of? And, if mild steel, how much of an issue this would be?

Ta J

 

[Phill]

Well built boats but with anything of that age, condition varies massively. A quick look inside and out should give you a good indication of its past. If you like what you see, dig deeper. On the outside, check the GRP condition, especially around the window frames and deck fittings. There may be cracks around the davits and guard rail bases. Ifs it’s out of the water check the hull and shafts, props, rudders etc. Internally the woodwork is of good quality but can fade with the sun and also be damaged by water ingress so look very carefully around the window frames. The floors are very easy to remove once the carpets are up and give good access to most of the mechanicals.
The fuel tanks are located either side outboard at the aft end of the engine space. Most of the tank is hidden, and only the inboard face, and forward face and a small amount of the top of the tank (accessed through screwed down liners in two cupboards) can be seen. They are made from stainless steel on mine which was made in 1988. The water tank is under the berth in the aft cabin.
Our engines are TMD31a’s, so similar and are quite smokey on start up. They’re better when warmed up and I’m assured this is not totally curable.
I love ours for its layout and ease of maintenance. The boat is very manageable and easily helmed on the river but I’ve never taken it to sea.
If you’re still hooked, make sure you get a survey carried out, I’m sure the insurance company would insist on one anyway.
Feel free to ask here or PM me for any other info. Also there is lots of info on the Broom Owners Club website about these and the owner may also be a member.

 

[Fjord John]

Well built boats but with anything of that age, condition varies massively. A quick look inside and out should give you a good indication of its past. If you like what you see, dig deeper. On the outside, check the GRP condition, especially around the window frames and deck fittings. There may be cracks around the davits and guard rail bases. Ifs it’s out of the water check the hull and shafts, props, rudders etc. Internally the woodwork is of good quality but can fade with the sun and also be damaged by water ingress so look very carefully around the window frames. The floors are very easy to remove once the carpets are up and give good access to most of the mechanicals.
The fuel tanks are located either side outboard at the aft end of the engine space. Most of the tank is hidden, and only the inboard face, and forward face and a small amount of the top of the tank (accessed through screwed down liners in two cupboards) can be seen. They are made from stainless steel on mine which was made in 1988. The water tank is under the berth in the aft cabin.
Our engines are TMD31a’s, so similar and are quite smokey on start up. They’re better when warmed up and I’m assured this is not totally curable.
I love ours for its layout and ease of maintenance. The boat is very manageable and easily helmed on the river but I’ve never taken it to sea.
If you’re still hooked, make sure you get a survey carried out, I’m sure the insurance company would insist on one anyway.
Feel free to ask here or PM me for any other info. Also there is lots of info on the Broom Owners Club website about these and the owner may also be a member.

Thanks Phil, really appreciate your reply. Handy to know where the tanks are and fingers crossed they are SS too. I’ll definitely get a survey too. Might have more questions after the viewing so may be in touch again. Cheers John

 

[oldgit]

Just a tip.
Friend of ours was half way through the purchase of one of these at a Thames brokerage. It all fell down due to Osmosis on the hull.
And not just few blisters either.
The purchaser did make an offer to reflect to work needed at some future point but the owner declined the offer.
It later turned out that a previous buyer had also withdrawn due for the same reason.
Do believe that Brooms in general have a better than average reputation for being well laid up hulls.
This one might have been the exception.
It did disappear from the listings but reappeared recently, have no clue if any remedial work was done.

 

[Fjord John]

Just a tip.
Friend of ours was half way through the purchase of one of these at a Thames brokerage. It all fell down due to Osmosis on the hull.
And not just few blisters either.
The purchaser did make an offer to reflect to work needed at some future point but the owner declined the offer.
It later turned out that a previous buyer had also withdrawn due for the same reason.
Do believe that Brooms in general have a better than average reputation for being well laid up hulls.
This one might have been the exception.
It did disappear from the listings but reappeared recently, have no clue if any remedial work was done.

Thanks OG. Great advice as always. I'll certainly bear it in mind, and will definitely get a survey.

 

[oldgit]

will definitely get a survey.

Personally have never bothered with a survey and relied on previous experience and bid accordingly, this is not a path to be taken if you are not totally confident and especially if you are in hurry to buy a particular boat. !
A good survey could at worst save you lot of grief and money and at best prevent you buying a pile of poo.

Over the years you could form the opinion that boats are most usually sold for not the best reasons, do not buy somebody elses expensive problems.
Chum of mine seems to get his boats sorted to perfection while in his ownership and then sells it on only repeat the process..
Has recently spend a fortune sorting all the grief caused by the delayed mantainance of previous owners.
Have found that sellers sometimes deliberately and sometimes simply due to forgetfullness have a hazy memory as to exactly what servicing or repairs have been carried out in their ownership of the boat.
Good Luck.

 

[Fjord John]

Personally have never bothered with a survey and relied on previous experience and bid accordingly, this is not a path to be taken if you are not totally confident and especially if you are in hurry to buy a particular boat. !
A good survey could at worst save you lot of grief and money and at best prevent you buying a pile of poo.

Over the years you could form the opinion that boats are most usually sold for not the best reasons, do not buy somebody elses expensive problems.
Chum of mine seems to get his boats sorted to perfection while in his ownership and then sells it on only repeat the process..
Has recently spend a fortune sorting all the grief caused by the delayed mantainance of previous owners.
Have found that sellers sometimes deliberately and sometimes simply due to forgetfullness have a hazy memory as to exactly what servicing or repairs have been carried out in their ownership of the boat.
Good Luck.

Thanks OG. One we looked at (re your last point)one that appears not to have been serviced for years and seems a bit neglected. Though Have found a nice one that I’m thinking of getting a survey on. I’ll post a separate thread - as need a recommended surveyor in Norfolk.