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The History of Broom Boats
A history of quality and innovation
For more than 110 years, the Broom name has been synonymous with luxury boating. From the earliest days of hand-crafted wooden sailing ships to the sophisticated cruisers of today, a tradition of engineering excellence and quality of manufacture runs through every boat we build.
Broom was at the forefront in introducing motorised cruising, building the holiday hire business and developing the first fibreglass boats. Our boats introduced many to the joys of being on the water: from the simple pleasures of boating on the Norfolk Broads to the luxury of cruising at sea for the rich and famous. Throughout our history we have led in the development of new ideas to make boating more enjoyable.
Early beginnings 1898 - 1914
In 1898, Charles John Broom launched his business, acquiring the Brundall boatyard of the Norfolk Broads Yachting Company where he had worked as a craftsman before rising to manage the yard.
Although the River Yare was then a thriving commercial waterway, change was on the way. The railways were taking away the freight transport but bringing new holiday makers keen to enjoy the tranquillity of the Norfolk Broads.
Charles built “beautifully crafted sailing cruisers for gentlemen” to meet this new market as well as maintaining and mooring the boats for his wealthy clients.
In 1912, Broom was among the first to operate a hire fleet, offering boating holidays to a wider audience. For many, this was their first boating experience, so ‘attendants’ were employed to help sail the boat and do the chores.
The yard was closed during the First World War. Charles died in 1915, but the business was opened up after the war by his sons Charles, Bernard and Basil. |
CJ Broom and his wife
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From sail to motors 1915 - 1939
Lightweight petrol engines suitable for marine use were becoming freely available in the 1920s, making craft more easily manoeuvrable by inexperienced sailors and increasing the holiday market. Broom was well placed to take advantage, being located next door to the railway which was the preferred method of arrival.
Initially motors were fitted to sailing craft, not always satisfactorily. Broom led the way in developing a standard model of 30 ft motor boat for sale or hire, powered by a Morris petrol engine.
The range expanded in the 1930s, with options of open or enclosed cockpits, aft cabins and single or twin engines. The Broom Standard 35 ft Estuary Cruiser remained in production until the 1950s.
Also in the 1930s, Broom produced their first sea-going boats: motor-sailers with masts which could be lowered and stowed so they were also suitable for inland waterways.
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From sail to motors
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War time resilience
1939 - 1945
The coming of the second world war brought an immediate end to the holiday business as fuel usage was severely restricted. However, the skills of Broom’s boat builders were in immediate demand for Admiralty contracts. This kept together the essential craft skills in a hard working yard producing harbour launches, whalers and other small craft
Much of the Broom hire fleet was used for billeting defence forces or, with mounted machine guns, for river patrols. They escaped the fate of others which were used as permanent floating obstructions to prevent seaplanes landing on the Broads.
So Broom was well placed for peacetime, with a productive yard, a skilled workforce and a fleet of well-maintained cruisers needing minimal refurbishment to welcome back holiday makers. |
War time resilience
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The growth of the
hire business 1946
Broom had been one of the first to set up a hire fleet of craft for upmarket holidays on the Norfolk Broads, using the services of Harry Blake’s booking agency in London. In 1912 sailing craft usually came with attendants who sailed the boat and did the cooking.
Motor boats were easier for the novice to handle, but attendants were still on offer when the business really came into its own after the second world war. However, a boating holiday was simple: a gas cooker, ice box and paraffin stove for heating would be standard equipment.
By 1946 Broom was building a new range for sale as well as hire. Spacious cruisers named Captain, Commander and the largest – at 42ft – the Admiral set the standard for the next 20 years.
Cleaning, maintaining and turning round 60 boats between hirings became almost a military operation. Broom developed the service skills and resources which now support many boats in private ownership. |
Hire Fleet
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The last days of wood
1950 - 1960
In the late 1950s, boat builders were beginning to investigate new plastic materials which had been developed during Word War II. However, wood was popular and proven through centuries as the material for smaller boats. Wooden boats were built to last if well cared for and some, now more than fifty years old, are still to be seen on our waterways.
Tertia Y691, a Broom Captain was launched in 1959 and is still seen today looking in excellent condition.
White Heron a Broom Commander, another 50 year old boat returned to Broom in 2011 to be offered for sale by our brokerage service.
Katinka a 6-berth 43ft cruiser, launched in 1961, has remained in the same family moored at Brundall and cared for by Broom throughout its life. |
Last days of wood
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London Boat Show 1954
Broom was involved in the Boat Show from its inauguration. The popular small tender, seen here at the first show at Olympia in 1954, was given to Martin Broom for his work on the stand.
Martin was later to be a leading figure in the British Marine Industries Federation and became Chairman of the National Boat Shows in 1989. He was awarded the MBE for services to the marine industry.
This photograph of a 1971 Broom 37 Continental at the London Boat Show shows how a well-made boat will hold its value. Offered then at £15,450, a 1971 37 Continental will cost between £35,000 and £45,000 on today’s market after 40 years of boating enjoyment. The Broom 30 behind could be bought for £6,195 and would fetch £25,000 or more today. |
London Boat Show 1954
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Boats for the rich and famous 1964
In the 1960s many leading business people chose boating as their relaxation and reward for their labours – and Broom as their boat builder.
During 1964 and 65, four large motor cruisers, based on a 45ft wooden hull design by Arnott Fowler, were supplied to leading businessmen. Each had a luxurious interior designed to their individual specification by Martin Broom.
Jabet, configured for 8 berths with twin screws was bought by Jack Dickman, Managing Director of Fidelity Radio. Cadilly was built for Michael Freeman, a Stockbroker and Sujuroto for Mr Godfrey, a Midlands industrialist. Albert was built for Ian Mackintosh of the confectionery family. Having cruised the Mediterranean and the Baltic, she is now based at Wroxham. In 1976, she was used to take HM Queen Elizabeth and party from Horning to Ranworth.
Among other illustrious customers were the Lord Stokes, Chairman or British Leyland and the comedians Ernie Wise and Dick Emery. |
Boats for the rich and famous
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New materials - new directions 1960s
In 1958 Martin Broom became the third generation of the family to join the Company. He was soon faced with one of the key decisions in the development of Broom.
The fundamentals of boat building had not changed for generations. Hulls were built from timber which had been cut, steamed and shaped at Brundall. The craftsman shaping a wooden framework by eye with an adze was a familiar sight.
As Martin joined, Glass Reinforced Plastic was being promoted as an ideal material for boat building, being strong, lightweight and waterproof. Recognising the opportunity, he and four other businessmen set up Aquafibre in 1965 to make mouldings for the boat-building industry. Aquafibre became fully part of Broom in 1971.
Initially GRP hulls were used with traditional wooden superstructures, but by 1971 fully GRP boats were the norm.Typical was the Broom 30 which remained in production for 15 years from1965, with some 250 boats built. The early models had timber superstructures, but these were soon replaced with fibreglass.
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Broom's first GRP Boat
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Expanding capabilities 1970s
As the fame of Broom continued to spread, the business expanded in size and capability to meet this growing demand. The Brundall boatyard became too small to support the growing activity.
Part of the grounds of The Yare public house were acquired in 1966 and new moorings were dredged out on this land. To the west, more land and river frontage was bought from Tidecraft Cruisers in 1970, followed by the Moonraker factory in 1990.
This expansion provided the opportunity to keep as much as possible of the boat building process under direct control to ensure quality and timely delivery. With GRP moulding, joinery, engine workshops, stainless steel fabrication and upholstery all on the same site, Broom was able to oversee every aspect of production.
With the range of skills on site, the Brundall Yard became a focus of craft and engineering skills, supporting a thriving service business and used by owners of boats of all types as well as other boat builders and operators.
All the resources of Broom were needed in the 1970s to keep up with demand, particularly for export markets which made up more than 50% of production. Demand in was particularly strong in Holland and Germany. At one London Boat Show, the Dutch agent placed an order for twelve Broom 37s at the same time. |
Broom's expansion
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The aft cabin cruiser
1978 - today
Broom’s speciality has become the offshore cruiser which is equally at home at sea as on inland waterways. This was typified by the John Bennett designed Broom 37 Continental launched in 1968, initially with a timber superstructure, followed by the Mk II with a fibreglass deck.
As engines increased in size, the V hull was developed to provide increased speed. The first 37 with this hull was launched in 1988.
The design was refined many times to respond to owners’ suggestions. By the launch of the Broom 44 in 1991, the interior helm option was rarely chosen as buyers opted for the additional saloon space that made living on board more comfortable.
With luxurious aft cabins and more choice of layouts of the aft deck as a place for relaxation and entertainment, the concept has been continually improved. Stylish living has been added to the legendary sea-keeping and comfortable handling of superb boats. |
Broom's first Aft Cabin Cruiser
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Unquestionably Broom. Definitely Different. |
