Norfolk Classic Revived

GRP manufacturer Broom has begun restoring wooden boats from its past. Jenny Wren was the first to get the treatment

- Emrhys Barrell

It is easy to forget in 2017 that back in its day, wood was the practical building material of choice for most British yards, and many of their craft were as much production line boats as today’s glassfibre equivalents. One company that exemplifies this fact is Broom Boats of Brundall in Norfolk. Broom was one of the first companies to recognise the advantages of the new wonder material back in the 1960s and for more than 50 years its glassfibre boats have earned a reputation as comfortable and seamanlike coastal and river cruisers for buyers across Europe. Incidentally, the designer behind many modern Broom models has been Andrew Wolstenholme, also responsible for many classic craft including the recent Kite trailer-sailer from Demon Yachts.

For many years before the GRP revolution, Broom built boats to an equally high quality, that were just as much production craft, but in wood.

It was as far back as 1898 when CJ Broom began building sailing boats for the local gentry at Brundall on the River Yare. In the 1920s the company started its own hire fleet catering for the booming holiday trade on the Broads, initially with sail, but by the 1930s with motorboats. During the war, the company turned over to building boats for the Admiralty, and the techniques of batch-production they developed then were used to good effect in their pleasure boats, when the war ended.

Pre-cut and pre-shaped frames and planks meant the boats could be put together faster, cheaper, and with less wasted material. They were no less strong and sound, but saved on costs at every stage.

Most were still built for the hire boat fleet, with several recognised classes covering craft from 20ft to 50ft (6m to 15.2m), with berths for up to 10 people in its holiday versions.