Simon Everett ponders the merits of a classic boat you can build to order.

The term ‘classic boat’ receives various interpretations in marine circles. Some say 25 years and older on a rolling basis, while others have a cut off of 1970, thus freezing the future of classic boats to a particular period in time. Personally, I think both are wrong. The word ‘classic’ refers to enduring and timeless appeal, regardless of date of manufacture. With that in mind it is interesting to consider the popular Broom runabout boats, which date from the 1940s through to the 1970s but can still be built to order today.

Broom in focus
Broom runabouts were the brainchild of Jack Broom and, right from the off, there were some very specific themes to the model names. One such theme was historic settlers, the Viking and the Norseman. There were weapons too, such as the Rapier and the Javelin (pictured left). And then came the planets with the Broom Jupiter, Saturn,  Saturn deluxe and the Apollo. Finally there were the signs of the Zodiac, which were to become the now famous Aquarius, Aries, Capricorn, Gemini and Scorpio.

However, the Broom family never built boats on a mass production line. Instead, they built each boat individually to a customer’s specification and they were very well built indeed, which is why so many have survived to remain in use today. They were ahead of their time too, with flared bows typical of the style, providing a dry ride on the choppy waters of the east coast, where most of their boats were sold. They also found favour in the Lake District and were mostly used as family waterski tows, hence their popularity in places as far apart as the Broads, Windermere, Loch Lomond, Cornwall and North Wales.

Today, there are a number of cherished Broom boats in the hands of the Classic Motor Boat Association (CMBA). They get used now as much as they ever did and they will go on giving good service to their owners for many years to come. Some of these boats are over 60 years old and yet they are still providing enduring pleasure to all who see and use them.

Modern Broom
John Broom has taken over the family business, still building many of these popular models to order. It is strange that we export our own, home-grown boats to places such as the Gulf, the Great Lakes and the Mediterranean, and import boats for our own use from elsewhere around the world. Wouldn’t it make more sense to buy a boat designed and built in this country for the very waters in which we go boating?

In any case, for a chance to see some of the Broom boats in their natural habitat, visit one of the CMBA events. They represent a great chance to talk to people if you have an interest in becoming a classic boat owner - and that’s ebtirely feasible, as Broom runabouts do sometimes come up for sale.
Broom Aquarius, Scorpio and Gemini are probably the most likely to be found in good used condition but if you find a well-kept Broom Capricorn, make sure you don’t let it go. Drive one of those on the water and you will wonder just how much progress our technological advancement of the past 30 years has really achieved.

More information
John Broom Boats: 01603 712136

The Classic Motor Boat Association of Great Britain
www.cmba-uk.com