Brooms - any good?

[Gludy]

A few questions on Brooms (I have never been on one):-

What is the build quality like compared to say Princess/Fairlines?

What is the sea handling like for the larger 45 to 50 foot models - again compared to Princess/Fairlines?

Does anyone out there own a 50 foot Broom?



Paul

 

[rhinorhino]

Harry Potter?

 

[burgundyben]

thing is, brooms are ugly

I dont accpet that there is any need ot by an ugly boat, so dont, there you go guldy, solved you dileema 4 you

bound to have offended someone whilst pissed

"Who was he?"

 

[burgundyben]

thing is, brooms are ugly

I dont accpet that there is any need ot by an ugly boat, so dont, there you go guldy, solved you dileema 4 you

bound to have offended someone whilst pissed

"Who was he?"

 

[byron]

<font color=blue>As a Princess owner I can tell you that Brooms are waay waay ahead on build quality on most boats. If you were to call Princess's/Fairlines akin with Fords, Birchwoods akin to a Lada, then a Broom would be a Mercedes.
Brooms have the reputation of being an older person's boat. Don't be fooled by this. I would say they are owned by more experienced people ... and what goes hand in hand with experience? age


http://www.alexander-advertising.co.uk

 

[Doffy]

Brooms were way ahead on quality and certainly price, they now build the same as others veneered foam bulk heads, small engines but they are practical cruising boats. we had two both older boats built like the proverbial? but slow so we have a 385 same as you. Holland in 4.5 hours is better than 6-7 and the ride is softer.

 

[paulineb]

ha ha ha ha ha

Pxx

 

[omega2]

Not much to add to what Byron had to say, we hired on from Loch Goil Cruisers a few years back and took in out into the Clyde and down to Cambletown, she was a 33 footer and old and well used as can be imagined but she handled lovely and the fit out was superb, we even had a full sized cooker. If you have found a nice one look no further.
John

J HAMER

 

[webcraft]

Great for Quidditch

<font color=blue>Nick</font color=blue>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com>

</A>

 

[JohnR]

Had a Broom once, well built far better than any Fairline or Princess that I have seen. Sea going qualities? Well they are used for a different type of cruising. I was happy at sea in mine.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: Brooms - very good?

Paul, having owned various different boats from various different manufacturers including Broom, IMHO Brooms are in a different league quality wise. Stylish and fashionable they are not but practical, comfortable, roomy, safe and satisfying to own they certainly are. Thats why they cost a bit more new but generally they hold their value better than yer average Fairline or Princess
Seakeeping wise, any of the current OS (Offshore) range (345,415,450,50) or their predecessors (33,37,39,41,44) make good solid seaboats, just dont expect sportsboat performance as they're built heavy although later models should be good for 30knots with the right engines. The OS hulls are John Bennett designs and contrary to opinions expressed on this forum, all of the above boats have full offshore planing hull forms but, unlike Fairline/Princess hulls, they have small keels which give the boat extra grip on the water - they're all a doddle to handle at marina speeds.
The other type of Broom currently available is the CL/KL type which do have a Wolstenholme designed semi-displacement hulls with larger keels as they are designed for both inland and offshore use. These boats do also make good sea boats and are supposedly very comfortable in a head sea although I'm told they can be a little wayward in a following sea due to the large keel. Again, due to the hull form, top speeds of the CL/KL models tend to be no more than about 25knots
Personally, one of the most attractive features of a Broom is the aft helm position because, unlike a flybridge, you can batten down when the weather gets nasty or completely open it up like a sportscruiser when the weather's right, you have all the nav instruments at one station, it's sociable because its on the same level as the cockpit and safe for kids as you can always keep an eye on them when they leave the accomodation

 

[Gludy]

Re: Brooms - very good?

Thank you for the solid advice.

I am going to take a good look at the Brooms at the boat show to see how the living accomodation works out.

There are very few, if any, larger OS Brooms available secondhand.

I have decided that I am really looking into the secondhand market anyway for most of the boats. None more than three years old, this way I can enjoy a much higher spec'ed boat.

The Princess 50 or 52 was my favourite last night, today it is probably the Broom but the chances of getting a second hand one seem remote and the new ones with the engines etc I need put both the larger models above the budget I am trying very hard to stick to.



Paul

 

[Bejasus]

Re: Brooms - very good?

This seems to be the best Broom being offered anywhere at present. Almost 10 years old but an immense spec boat @ 295k.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.broom-boats.co.uk/flash/usedfset.htm>http://www.broom-boats.co.uk/flash/usedfset.htm</A>

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: Brooms - very good?

I would'nt agree. Too much money for this boat especially with these engines. The smaller Sabres are bomb proof but these larger ones can give trouble
I would say the Broom 44 is going to settle at around £230 - 250k so £295k is too much IMHO but they are super boats

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: Brooms - very good?

Take a good look at the 450 OS if its at the show. Like any manufacturer, I understand that Broom dealers can be a bit flexible if someone's holding the folding and they've got a stock boat coming

 

[miket]

If it's used you are looking for, don't forget the EU dealers.

Holland (De Vaart) has good contacts with owners and the German owned boats are usually high specification.

If you can't track them down, contact me.

 

[miket]

Also, have a word with Mark Pearce, now at Bray Marine Sales, previously at Harleyford (Broom agent).

Very knowledgeable and helpful.