1911 Broads River Cruiser Class

• Wood carvel construction
• Ivory enamelled hull ​
• Oiled laid pitch pine deck ​
• Varnished cabin sides and well ​
• Wintered ashore annually
• Last surveyed July 2023 (available on request)

• 2005 Yamaha 4 horsepower 4 stroke petrol outboard
• Standard shaft ​
• Can run from internal or external tank
• 11 litre fuel tank​, external tank and hose
• Engine hours not recorded, but very little use ​(owned from new and in excellent condition)

• Gaff topsail sloop rig
• Wooden mast, boom, gaff
• Aluminium topsail spars
• Standing & running rigging in good condition
• Mainsail  (2011, James Lawrence Sailmakers, excellent condition) ​
• Topsail (Age unknown, Jeckells Sailmakers, good usable condition) ​
• Jib (2011, James Lawrence Sailmakers, excellent condition) ​
• Sail cover (2011, James Lawrence Sailmakers, good usable condition)
• Period jib sheet winches

• 2 berths in 1 cabin
• 2 x Single settee berths to either side of cabin
• Varnished interior woodwork with white deckheads and maroon bunk cushions (Snuggtopz)
• Traditional gimballed oil lamp
• Open-plan layout with galley area in cockpit (Origo two-burner alcohol stove)
• Sea-toilet (not currently in use) in dedicated locker between berths at foot of the mast
• Spacious cockpit with seating and lockers to either side and stern locker
• Maroon cockpit cushions (Snuggtopz)
• Sliding hatch over companionway

• Boat Safety Scheme certificate to September 2027
• Awning (Jeckells, excellent condition) ​
• Basic cover for cabin and well ​(serviceable condition)
• 2 x dry powder fire extinguishers (not guaranteed in date)
• Fire blanket ​
• ​Electric automatic bilge pump
• Quant pole
• High & low mast/boom crutches
• Mud weight
• Rhond anchors
• Various fenders
• Various warps​​

Her owner comments:

Bessie Bell is reluctantly for sale after 22 years in the same ownership, due to advancing years and a change in circumstances. ​

She is in good structural condition, having been wintered ashore annually and professionally maintained, though there are a few cosmetic improvements from which she would benefit. ​

As far as we are aware, Bessie Bell was built in 1911 in Brundall, for hire, by the Norfolk Broads Yachting Company – which later became Broom Boats. ​ She was the second of two near identical sister vessels, the other being “Merry Widow”, built two years previously.

​Bessie Bell is listed in the H. Blake and Co’s Yachting List brochure of 1916, together with her picture. ​ She is described as follows: Built 1911. ​ Carvel built. ​ Sloop-rigged yacht. ​ Sister ship to the “Merry Widow.” ​ Smartly rigged and up-to-date craft. She has fixed cabin top and pine decks. Length 26 ft., beam 8 ft., draught 2 ft 9 in., cabin 7 ft 6 in. ​ long, 4 ft head-room, well 6 ft., forepeak 7 ft. Spring berths in cabins. ​ Usual stores. CB Sailing Dinghy. ​ Terms per week, without attendant – May, £3; June and July, £3 10s; August, £4 10s; September, £3 3s ​

Since coming out of hire, she has had very few owners. ​ The previous owner had her for about 35 years and kept her professionally maintained. Before that, she was owned by the Broadland artist Owen Waters. ​

Over the years, she has had various changes to her rig, keel, rudder and bowsprit to improve her performance and she is now very well balanced and easily controlled whether in light airs or stronger, gusty winds. ​

She has a provisional racing handicap of 14% with the River Cruiser Class and has, in her lifetime, competed in many regattas and races, including the Three Rivers Race. ​ In 2013 she led the flotilla of Broom’s boats at the pageant held to celebrate their 115th anniversary. ​

In the past, she has been fitted with two berths in the fo’c’sle, though these are now removed.

Bessie Bell has some features which set her apart from the majority of the River Cruiser Class. ​ She has a plumb stem, a bowsprit offset beside the stemhead and a fixed (non-lifting) cabin roof. ​ She is strongly built and this, together with her fixed cabin roof, makes her a very sturdy craft. ​

She is a very attractive yacht and well-proportioned yacht, having a long afterdeck and a large cockpit with is unrestricted by the tiller.  She receives many compliments when out on the water, which adds to making trips in her joyful.

More photos coming soon!

Please note: The photos are kindly provided the owner and are from approximately 2010-2013, but we understand that she is currently presented to much the same standard.

The photos with the nautical bunting show her leading the flotilla celebrating 115th anniversary of Broom Boats.

Blakes catalogue from 1916.