How old for a Broom?

[britemp]

I've had a fondness for a Broom of some description (I like the 415 OS) since I was a lad boating on the Norfolk Broads and am now in the position to look seriously at getting one.

Trouble is I'm not far past 30 and whenever someone mentions Brooms here they talk of pipes and slippers!

What do people really think of them? I like their spacious cabins, classy looks and the interiors that are not quite as 'miami vice' as Sunseekers et al - bit too nouveau riche for my liking I'm afraid.

If they are no good I won't get one, but do I really need a pension book to place an order? Am I a boring old git before my time or should I just go and buy a trawler? I would really appreciate some opinions!

PS - I've lots of experience of tidal river boating and will be doing some RYA courses before taking delivery. Use will be coastal, moored around the Solent somewhere and maybe some more adventurous crossings to France or the Channel Islands when I get to know what I'm doing.

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[Doffy]

If you have the money + 20% premium for brooms compared to others. Buy it you'll always go back to Brooms, get the largest engine option, if you are serious about sea work (50 hrs+) forget the Yanmars and go volvos or cats.
Don't let Mrs Broom do the decorating (lovely woman but!) Andrew Stone is the service man another nice guy, Paul the sales manager is ok to (for a sales man)

They are not as they used to but they still have the edge just on other production boats.

All this from a Princess owner, dad had a Broom and we all loved it. Friend has a 41 nice but needs bigger engines 63P's so he say's hard work cruising at 21knts for 61a's

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[LeytonC]

You are the right age for a Broom when you recognise how bl**dy good they
are!! I fancy me a crown in a couple of years, and i am not passed 30 yet!

NB Join us in the chat room www.boatsontheweb.com (follow link to the chat room)

NNB Just wait for the Pi** take now - LOL


<hr width=100% size=1>Thanks

Leyton
(EXTAR Solutions - Software that works for you)

 

[hlb]

Take no notice of them. If it's a Broom you want get one. Dont forget, you can have any coloured net curtains you want.

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<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[petem]

Now I'm only a tad over 18 but quite like the 345 OS which doesn't look to old codgerish if you go for the navy blue hull. I have also noticed that they're offering trendier lighter woods on some of the more recent brooms.

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[oldgit]

If you can still see and still eat solid foods without help from a nurse,you are still to young.Live a little,buy that Sunseeker all you need to go with it is a large medallion and a posse of drug dealer babes to go.

<hr width=100% size=1>Two boats please one here n one in the Med

 

[byron]

It is true that older dudes have Brooms. That is because they have over their years of boating learned that Brooms are synonymous with quality. I have to agree with the remarks made elsewhere about a certain person's taste in decor too.

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[paulrossall]

I reckon it's a bit like cars. I bought my first Volvo at 23 and have never bought anything else with my own money. (I did let a company buy and run Shoguns).
I have never bought one that wasn't at least 7 years old so they are properly run in , and depreciated which is even more important.
Make your own mind up, I gave up listening to other peoples prejudices years ago.

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[britemp]

Thanks for the advice - which engines would be best to go with, I've read about the new Volvo D6 - is this suitable?

With cars I tend to favour larger, less stressed engines and would like to follow this maxim with my boat, i don't want them revving flat out all the time.

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[britemp]

Thanks for the advice on the people at Brooms - I haven't actually spoken to them yet, just had a wander round their yard at Brundall while I was in Norwich on business recently. This means I've actually no idea how long it takes from order to jumping on board! Any ideas? I notice they have some new/nearly new boats already built - would it be better to go for one of these or get one built do you think. I can't see me using it before April/May time in reality. I suppose I really ought to take some time and look at some other options before i take the plunge - I've looked at a Sunseeker Portofino 35/46 and a Sealine 42/5 but I like the Brooms rear cabin layout and general spacious feeling. The Fairline Phantom 40/43 look OK too but I haven't been on one yet. Any advice on others i should look at.

Thanks for persevering with a noob!

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

People tend to graduate to a Broom after they've tried various other boats and found what they really want out of boating. If you find you want sexy swooping styling and high speed, then a Broom isnt for you. On the other hand if you want quality, practicality, space, service and resale value then a Broom might be for you. However, if this is your first boat, I strongly suggest that you look at secondhand boats as you may find yourself wanting to change it fairly quickly when you find out what you really want out of boating and a secondhand Broom will generally keep its value better than other boats. Agree with other comments about engine power. If you intend to do sea work, go for biggest engine option available

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[Andrew38]

I bought my new Broom 38 two years ago having previously owned a Broom 34.
Though it spends its time on the Thames it loves sea work and feels very safe when things get rough (wind over tide in a force 6 off Ostend this August).

The comfort factor is very high and don't miss the privacy that the rear master cabin gives you. Quality is extremely high - though they are complex, low volume built products so they are not perfect. However this is where after sales service kicks in. Both Harleyford and Broom have given exceptional support tome. For example Freddie Dale spent over an hour at a busy time at Southampton BS helping me get support from Barrus to find a resolution to why my starboard Yanmar 250 burns more fuel than the port one.

Handling is perfect for my needs, the keel and shaftdrives ensure good river handling but she still rides well in heavy seas. Top speed 26 knots but still averages over 1.5 mpg at cruising speed (20 knots).

Harleyford have always cut a better deal than dealing with Brooms directly. Also now can be a good time to buy as they have stock boats that they might deal on so that they don't carry them over the winter. On the Thames (with good heating) November and February and March can be good cruising months. Harleyford also supervised the nav fit out for me but only charged me their (discounted) cost price.

If you would consider a nearly new boat call Mark Pearce at Bray Marine 01628 773177, he's ex-Harleyford and knows Brooms better than anybody and has to be the best salesman I've ever dealt with (and I'm a sales director).

If you want the real test take a look at the condition of any other 10-20 year old boats and compare it with a similar aged, used Broom. That's when the Broom quality really shines through particularly as their used value really stands the test of time.

As you can tell I'm something of a Broom fan but I've become it by experience. Happy to send you my phone number if you want to talk.

AJR


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[miket]

Like and agree with Andrew38's comments.
I am just over 50 and bought my first Broom (33) 6 years ago, having had a large number of other makes over the prior 20 years.

Most of the banter on this site concerning Broom boats is quite friendly and inoffensive, and primarily down to envy!!

I currently own an 11 year old Broom 37, with thje largest engine option. It does a totally realistic 25 knots max' with 27 available lightly loaded, but more importantly will cruise all day at 20/22 knots through quite rough conditions.

Recall one occasion coming out of Chichester when just before the bar I was overtaken by a 35 foot Targa boat (standard uniform of rayburns and bald head) at about 25 knots. About 10 minutes later and the seaward side of the bar we passed him at 22 knots. We were still drinking a glass of wine in our shorts and teashirts, he was looking like a submarine and the only thing in his glass was seawater.
I thought to myself, "there aint no substitute for cubes and tons".

Listen to Deleted User's advice on buying used if you are not yet sure what style of boating you require.
As a yardstick on a new purchase you can write of the VAT straight away, which if you are paying £300 to £400k can be a bit eye watering.

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Agree with you about Mark Pearce. We've never bought a boat from him and yet he never fails to remember my name at every boat show and what boat I'm running at the moment. As you say, he's extremely knowledgeable about Brooms as well.

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[omega2]

never too old with age comes experience

<hr width=100% size=1>J HAMER

 

[britemp]

Thanks for those replies Mike and Andrew - they pretty much confirmed what I hoped was true about Brooms.

I thnk I will take it a bit more slowly and reign in my enthusiasm - I'll have a look at some used boats first and speak to the people you mention.

Cheers.

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[tripleace]

Always wanted a Sports crusier, always had a sports cruiser.

However, using my fathers Broom 38 I am really impressed by the handling and spec.

Broom / Andrew Stone : Brilliant
Broom workforce, the ones I met are caring and happy. (gives a good feeling they care about the end product)

Mark Pearce: Trustworthy

Harleyford: just a big marina, no. I wonder what they are like without Mark Pearce?????

Harleyford is reported to be cause of the problems (a large rent increase) which caused MMS to go under. I've never found Harleyford to be that cheap or that good enough to pay the extra.



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[Andrew38]

A word for Espar (the new MMS) at Harleyford.

Yes I agree they can be expensive but on a recent search for davits I tried a cheaper way the conclusion of which is almost certainly going to be in court.

Jason Brasier's experience in the end meant I ended up with a quality job at an acceptable price and in the timeframes I was by then desparate to meet. Everyone else on the Thames charges similar rates or you book a year in advance.

AJR

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[andy_wilson]

30 year old Broom.

It was as good as the day it was purchased.

8 new heads and three new handles and still as good as new.

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[Artie]

Why the question about age? Either you like a boat or you don't. If you like it then go for it. I've got a seaward 35 and love it. My mate has a Broom and he loves it. We cruise together on his boat and on mine and sometimes with SWMBOS on each boat.
My point is if it suits you then s** the rest and their views

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