GrahamR
New member
I am looking at two boats at present a Birchwood TS37 and a Broom 345 has any body any experience of either and reallistically which would be the easier starter boat?Heart says the Broom bank balance and space the Birchwood :
First boat-forum help please
- Thread starter GrahamR
- Start date
hlb
RIP
Biodegradable Birchwood. Buy the broom!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Graham, welcome to the forum. I am sure you probably appreciate this but the TS37 is a semi displacement boat which probably has a max speed of no more than 20-22knots. I'm told that BMW engined ones should be avoided because of the difficulty of getting service and spares. On the one trip I've had on a TS37 I found it very wet in that the bow threw up a lot of spray. I also didnt like the handling too much in a following sea. No question, the TS37 is a popular used boat as it offers a lot of space for the money. A Volvo TAMD41 engined one in good order might be a sound buy
The 345 is one of Broom's offshore models having a full planing hull with a vestigial keel. With the right engines, the top speed could be in excess of 25knots. I'm told the Mercruiser 220hp engines should be avoided because they dont have enough torque to push this heavy boat easily on to the plane. Brooms are known generally for being high quality boats. A contributor to this forum, sami lymington, has a nice 345. Might be worth a PM (private message) to find out his thoughts on the boat
By the sound of it, you're looking at aft cabin boats which is great. I'm a fan of them too. Worthwile also looking at the following
Broom 37/39 ('89 onwards)
Fairline Turbo 36
Princess 435
Sealine 410
All of these boats are relatively large for 'starter boats' so definitely consider getting at least Day Skipper training before you launch yourself into the blue yonder
The 345 is one of Broom's offshore models having a full planing hull with a vestigial keel. With the right engines, the top speed could be in excess of 25knots. I'm told the Mercruiser 220hp engines should be avoided because they dont have enough torque to push this heavy boat easily on to the plane. Brooms are known generally for being high quality boats. A contributor to this forum, sami lymington, has a nice 345. Might be worth a PM (private message) to find out his thoughts on the boat
By the sound of it, you're looking at aft cabin boats which is great. I'm a fan of them too. Worthwile also looking at the following
Broom 37/39 ('89 onwards)
Fairline Turbo 36
Princess 435
Sealine 410
All of these boats are relatively large for 'starter boats' so definitely consider getting at least Day Skipper training before you launch yourself into the blue yonder
mainshiptom
Active member
always fgo with the heart and the boat you really want rather then a comprmise !
Eevery time I comprmised I ended up selling and buying the boat I really want !
Tom
Eevery time I comprmised I ended up selling and buying the boat I really want !
Tom
NorthernWave
New member
I had a TS37 with the BMW units which are in fact the same as the mercruiser. I loved the boat, correct the following sea was not the nicest state to be in but the boat felt safe. I took her out in some really not so perfect weather the the hull really stood up to tell the story. The parts were no problem to get at all on the BMW's and in fact I found them to be very cheap. e.g. new cylinder head 300 pounds. However by choice I'd try and get something with a little more power. I had planned to re-engine with Yanmar 370's which would have been fantastic.
Chris
Chris
Tucepi
Member
I have a TS37 SS with Volvos, I have taken her out in not too good conditions with others including a friend who has a broom 345 and the birchwood because of it length and hull remained very stable and the whole family finds it a very safe and easy boat to use. The broom 345 is an excellent boat but you should be looking at a price difference of about £60,000 for the broom unless it is an untidy one. My friends boat has the merc engines and seems no problem overtaking me at my max of 20knts and pushing onto to 24knts quite easily. I love the birchwood but no comparison wih the Broom 345, but like I say for a good one theres a bit of a price difference or should be.
Medskipper
Active member
Hi Graham,
I have a Birchwood 37 with volvo engines. It is a great boat, its semi displacement hull gives excellent ride even in rough weather and I have been in some very rough conditions including a following sea and felt very safe. I must add that I cannot believe the last comments on it being a wet ride! it most certainly is NOT because of the large chine on the bow, commonly called the knuckle, this throws the water away from the boat. I have to say that a planing hull will always be a faster hull than the semi, but at a cost to comfort in bad conditions. I know the Broom has a good reputation, but all motor cruisers don't like following seas including Brooms because they are slab ended! i.e. not designed to take a wave hitting the back of the boat!
The Broom tends to be more sought after than the Birchwood but the TS37 still is a very sought after boat and you will not be dissappointed with it. With its large comfortable interior and aft cabin I don't think there is a better second hand cruiser on the second hand market for the price. A good one with Volvos will be just under £100.k
Good luck with your purchase, and if you need any tuition at the helm PM me!
Barry
I have a Birchwood 37 with volvo engines. It is a great boat, its semi displacement hull gives excellent ride even in rough weather and I have been in some very rough conditions including a following sea and felt very safe. I must add that I cannot believe the last comments on it being a wet ride! it most certainly is NOT because of the large chine on the bow, commonly called the knuckle, this throws the water away from the boat. I have to say that a planing hull will always be a faster hull than the semi, but at a cost to comfort in bad conditions. I know the Broom has a good reputation, but all motor cruisers don't like following seas including Brooms because they are slab ended! i.e. not designed to take a wave hitting the back of the boat!
The Broom tends to be more sought after than the Birchwood but the TS37 still is a very sought after boat and you will not be dissappointed with it. With its large comfortable interior and aft cabin I don't think there is a better second hand cruiser on the second hand market for the price. A good one with Volvos will be just under £100.k
Good luck with your purchase, and if you need any tuition at the helm PM me!
Barry
Whitelighter
Active member
For the budget, and if you havent already, I would seriously consider the Fairline Turbo 36. My father had one in 1988 until 1996 and it was a fantastic sea boat with really good space. Should get a really late one in good condition for under £100k
hlb
RIP
A P35 actually loves a following sea, not tried a f8 but f7 and still on auto pilot no problem.
smileygirl
New member
Hi Graham
I was in a similar position, so i went and did my day skipper with Top deck marine based in hythe Marina. They use a Birchwood TS37. Very easy boat to be on, not tried it in a rough stuff though. Good boat, and good people at Top Deck If you are interested try and get one with volvos rather than BMWs (not highly rated and with 180Hp a bit puny). In the end I found an unloved sealine 410 that squeaked into budget.
I was in a similar position, so i went and did my day skipper with Top deck marine based in hythe Marina. They use a Birchwood TS37. Very easy boat to be on, not tried it in a rough stuff though. Good boat, and good people at Top Deck If you are interested try and get one with volvos rather than BMWs (not highly rated and with 180Hp a bit puny). In the end I found an unloved sealine 410 that squeaked into budget.
lanason
Active member
turbo 36 is excellent and massive space for the money - probably comes out bottom in the easy access to the engine room competition
Solitaire
Active member
Your PM box is full! Can't relpy to you. I'm doing shorebased instructor course over weekend, and don't finnish untill 19.00 tomorrow night.
GrahamR
New member
many thanks for all your help some of you have given me contact numbers which when time permits i will call, there are some alternatives i hadn't considered but thanks again for your help.
