The bestest all rounder?

byron

byron

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I wonder how the Forum feel and what their views are.

I have always considered the Broom Crown as being the best all rounder ever built. Bearing in mind the initial design was launched in 1978/79 it is still as fresh as a daisy and makes some of today's jelly moulds look sick. The accomodation is superb and it is equally at home on the sea or river. The boat handling qualities make the most cack handed skipper look like an expert. They achieve a moderate turn of speed at sea and happily trundle along at low river speeds.
I genuinely believe that if they were still building them today there'd be a good market for them especially if fitted with modern low weight hi-performace engines.

What about you? Can you honestly say there's a better all rounder out there? Don't talk of Dutch Steel, the are nice looking but they all roll on wet grass and are not that happy at sea.
 
I'd go for the modern version, Broom 38/39. Faster more roomy, handles just as well, does away with useless inside helm. But IMHO twin engines are pointless on the river and limit your mooring options due to too deep draft at the sides, I also think about 30-35ft is the optimum size for the river. However if you want an all rounder a Broom is difficult to beat.
 
I too am a fan of Broom. I particularly like the current 39 and the 38 before that.
I have been on a couple of Crowns recently and if kept updated they are great, but if not can look their age, both internally and externally.
I suspect some of the more serious Dutch boatbuilders might be a bit scathing of your sweeping statement about "Dutch steel".
MBM (orY) brought a Sturier 400OC from Holland to SIBS a few years back in some weather that would have sent me scurrying for home.
 
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I suspect some of the more serious Dutch boatbuilders might be a bit scathing of your sweeping statement about "Dutch steel".


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Perhaps my statement is too sweeping but with the lack of weight below they do have a tendency to wallow.
 
much prefer the European. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
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much prefer the European.

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I have owned a European. Whilst it is the most docile and responsive boat you could ever wish to meet. It isn't on a par with the Crown for accomodation and versatility. Most built were grossly under powered and the L shaped bunks of the back cabin leave much to be desired.
 
Yea ...but the European looks a bit less like the illegitimate offspring of a 1960s aluminium green house and a dumb lighter than the Crown./forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Do agree that decent double bed back aft is much better tho.
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Having looked at dozens of boats over the last year, before sadly accepting that 25'ish was really the size we required, it was this, and similar Brooms which seemed to offer the very best all round excellence.

Build quality was apparently second to none, the owner base was of good breeding stock, and usually experienced, so another good recommendation, while the design offered an unmatched blend of accomodation for all weathers, including the most welcome looking 'Martini deck' above the aft berth.

On a sunny Sunday, the best place to be in the whole world is cruising past Henley-on-Thames, sipping a Martini on the rear deck of a Broom.

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When we get more time, we will get one of these lovely lovely vessels /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
Been considering a European as our next boat but have a few questions.

Are these boats capable of getting under all the bridges from tidal to Oxford? I cant find the air draft. (Looked harder and found 9 ft 3in, so that's a yes then)

Folks say some engines are underpowered but guess all would be ok on the river, but is one manufacturer or type of engine prefered above others?

Byron, like others, say they are easily managed and very controlable boats. Just wondered what's the reason for this? There are plenty of Brooms in our marina and when its really windy, they seem to be the only boats that venture out.

Phill.
 
I guess its all down to hull shape. The fact is they seem to sit where you put them and go where you tell them. They are an incredibly stable craft with absolutely no vices. I used to say about mine "I can leave it and go and have a coffee while it moors itself up"

As regards the river. I can think of no bridges from here down that cannot be negotiated; most even with the canopy up. Upstream of Day's Lock someone else will have to tell you.

The power plants are adequate for the river even the twin 80s which will give a cruise speed of a respectable 9- 10 knots. Which is also adequate for sea passages on a decent day. Though if I were buying I would try and find one with 115s at least. They are quite a wet boat even in moderate seas as indeed are the 37' Crown, Ocean & Continental.

They are a good all round boat and I kid you not when I tell you they will make the most ham fisted boat handler look like an expert.

Lastly of course you have the Broom build quality which was even better then than it is today.
 
We own a European and can only endorse the recommendations. It will fit under all the bridges in normal river conditions without having to lower the mast, certainly up to Abingdon which is as far as we have gone in it upstream. We had a canopy fitted to ours which is taller than I really wanted. Apart from having to drop it down for some bridges, it looks a bit out of proportion. However it does give a really good area under cover which is great in bad weather. I never use the lower helm now at all.

Ours has 80hp Fords which are fine for the river. They are a bit noisy, but they sip the fuel so even with diesel prices due to rocket fuel cost it is not too much of an issue. Many of the older boats have Perkins engines. I think there were problems getting spares for these at one time, but it seems to be less of an issue now. The Broom Owners Club will have more details.

Twin engines may be overkill on the river, but they make handling in tight spaces a piece of cake. I love playing with the throttles and pretending to be a real skipper, even though Byron will say that it is the boat doing the work and not me. There is no doubt that they are really stable boats.

The accomodation is great for extended cruising. Our aft cabin has the L shaped berths, but part pulls out into a double which may be a retro fit.

The only critcism is the lower helm which gets in the way. I suspect most boats with decent canopies over the upper helm have had the lower helm seat removed to create more space in the saloon. The other small problem is that the ignition and engine stops are on the lower helm station only which is a real pain in locks. I don't have the skills to be able to move them to the upper helm myself and the quote I got for the work was more than I wanted to pay.

I looked at a Broom Crown before we bought the European. The extra size felt too big a step at the time and it was a bit dated, but then so are most Broom owners! The one featured in an earlier post looks pretty good though, except for some of the upholstery which I thought was pretty dreadful.
 
David.

Thanks for your views, it's always good to speak to owners. I've seen your boat about on the river and it really does look in nice condition.
I've viewed one boat and am due to see another later this week. The one I've seen had no sign of a lower helm seat, and after reading your post, I now know why.
Just hope I can still find a well looked after example.

Phill
 
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