February Newsletter

Another busy month at the boatyard with lots of exciting developments planned for 2019, including the restoration of the Victorian launch Constance, a Cornish Pilot Gig build and continuing improvements to the yard.

Constance

Restoration work on Constance is now well underway with shipwright Duncan Skingly taking out the Gribble in the keel band and scarfing in new sections.  A steel shoe is being fabricated to run the full length of the keel and repairs have been completed to the hatches and cockpit sole.  Her first trip has been booked for the beginning of May. Chris Hardman Jones and Susie Ferris will be finishing and painting. Her electrics motors have been installed by Bob Orchard and are working well.

Availability, sample menus and prices will be announced in March on the website.

Long Barn and Customs House

We are pleased to announce we have applied for planning permission to convert the Long Barn and Customs House into holiday cottages at the boatyard. We will also be installing a new, state-of-the-art sewage system for the benefit of all residents, including houseboat residents, as well as new showers and a toilet block as part of the showers.

We are committed to working with local tradespeople and contractors wherever possible and hope to see benefits to local businesses as a result of the holiday cottages.

Falmouth Classics

We are looking forward to Falmouth Classics which we will be sponsoring along with Ratsey & Lapthorn, classic sailmakers who have been in the business for over 200 years. Be sure to come and see us in the Maritime Village on Customs House Quay.

Special Offers

We are extending our February discount on Hempel Antifoul and English Braids. 10% off all English Braids Stock and a FREE antifoul kit worth £8 with any tin of Hempel Antifoul.

Current Projects

Chris Hardman-Jones Water Taxis

The first of six hulls for St Aubyns Estate (St Michaels Mount) are here and plugs are being made for the ring decks and internal fittings. She is being dry fitted with keel irons, moulding for steps and engines boxes being completed. If you are in the Yard, pop into the Tin Shed and have a look at the progress.

Peter Martin Gig Build

Peter Martin, Cornish Pilot Gig builder, resident of Gweek, but long-time resident on Isles Of Scilly, has started work on the new build Cornish Pilot Gig. His grandson Dylan Sofio has held a long term ambition to build a gig with his grandfather and after completing a boat building course in Rhode Island and Rolts Yard, Bristol, he has returned to Cornwall and Gweek Boatyard with his friend Patrick Killian to complete this. 
 
The gig will be built from Lincolnshire Elm (Cornish Narrowleaf elm now being in short supply). Please watch the weekly progress on our website.

Susie Ferris

Surian is one of the projects that Susie has been working on for her yearly refit. 

Other news

Repairs to the quay wall are now almost complete. As many of you know the wall was falling down along the quay frontage and was not the most inviting place for boats coming alongside. Having applied for a new license from the MMO we’ve repaired the existing wall with local stone. 

After a long delay and a catalogue of disasters beyond Jez and Siobain's control, CROCUS eventually made her way up the Helford River on 7th February and she is now moored up at the bottom end of the yard. We welcome them to our community in the Yard.
 
Kylian Maria and Orlane Naour join us from their college in Concarneau for a month in March. They will be learning everything in the yard from general maintenance work and pressure washing to antifouling and engineering work. They will be our second lot of students from the school and we very much look forward to their arrival.
 
Don’t forget our Brokerage! Vessels on our books include Audrey (Edgar Cove Salcombe 16’), Frisky ((Bermudan Cutter 25’), Jehol (Westerly (26’), Joker (Hurley 22’), Laura Lou (Bayliner 25’), Snowdrop (Deben Four Tonner), Snoqualmie (Hillyard 12 ton ketch), Susie II (Aquastar 27), Timbobbin (Dee 25).  Please speak to Gemma for any further details. 
 
The Boatyard have fully involved themselves in several local groups in Gweek including the Neighbourhood Development Plan (a plan that provides the opportunity for communities to set out a positive vision for how they want their community to develop over coming years); Helford Marine Conservation Group (a voluntary organisation working to safeguard the marine life of the Helford River); Voice of the Helford (a resurrected group taking the place of the Helford River Association, to become a sub-group of HMCG) and the Marine Safety Advisory Group (water users of the Fal Estuary and Helford River, including Harbour Masters, RNLI, Coastguards, local Businesses and Leisure Groups).
It has been great to hear from the local Gweek community and as always, anyone is very welcome at the boatyard for a cup of tea and chat.

Kind regards,

Mark and Malcolm