Yacht and Boatbuilders © The Elephant Boatyard Ltd

<body> <h1>Yacht and Boatbuilders © The Elephant Boatyard Ltd</h1> <P align=justify>The ELEPHANT BOATYARD takes its name from Nelson's Flagship, at the battle of Copenhagen H.M.S ELEPHANT which was built at Bursledon and launched in 1786. The Boatyard was founded in 1952 by Michael Richardson on the site of the old ship building yards at Bursledon.</P> <P align=justify>Since it's conception the ELEPHANT BOATYARD has operated as a traditional family business with the aim of meeting the needs of all yachtsman. The Richardson family and their staff have many years of cruising and racing experience between them, including Transatlantic crossings and Fastnet races all of which bring a depth of knowledge to projects undertaken by the yard.  </P> <P align=justify><A id=image href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/showpicture.php?image=thumb_DSCF1567.JPG"><IMG style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #000000; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #000000; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #000000" height=90 alt="Click for larger image" hspace=10 src="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/images/thumbs/thumb_DSCF1567.JPG" width=120 align=left border=1></A></P> <P align=justify>The yard has, with a skilled team of craftsman, built up a reputation of high quality workmanship in wood and GRP, building, fitting out and providing the essential services required for the efficient running of racing, cruising yachts and powerboats.</P> <P align=justify>It is fitting that Bursledon with its long history of ship and boatbuilding should have a modern day counterpart. The ELEPHANT BOATYARD, in addition to its service facilities , has built and been involved in the construction of some sixty three yachts, both sail and power. These yachts range in size from 24ft to 72ft and for the most part constructed as one off projects to their owners chosen design and specifications. </P> <P align=justify>The yard has built many successful racing yachts including 1/4, 1/2, one and two tonners as well as British and Swedish Admirals Cup yachts and a number of top racing yachts by leading designers including 'Green Dragon' designed by Doug Peterson, RORC Yacht of the Year 1979 and 'Dragon' designed by Ed Dubois, that represented Great Britain in two Admirals Cups series in the 80's and is still winning out of her homeport Barcelona in Spain. </P><A id=image href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/showpicture.php?image=thumb_DSCF1778.JPG"></A> <P align=justify><A id=image href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/showpicture.php?image=thumb_DSCF1764.JPG"><IMG style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #000000; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #000000; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #000000" height=90 alt="Click for larger image" hspace=10 src="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/images/thumbs/thumb_DSCF1764.JPG" width=120 align=right border=1></A><BR>More recently, the yard has been involved with the building of the 50 IRC yacht 'Mandrake' designed by Mark Mills. She won the Gold Roman Bowl in the Round the Island race four years ago.</P> <P align=justify>The yard has also constructed the tooling and mould making for a number of well known production yachts including the Sigma range of yachts designed by David Thomas. The HOD 35, designed by Rob Humphreys, The Barracuda 45 and the Spring Class designed by Tony Castro and Princess 45 which became a market leader for Marine Projects.</P> <P align=justify> The yard has built three Aero Rigged yachts (Unstayed rotating carbon rig) designed by Ian Howlett. Ranging in size fom 30-70 ft. all designed for short handed sailing, 'Fly' the largest, has one of the tallest unstayed masts in the world at 120ft. She has now completed many successful seasons cruising, which have included a number of Atlantic crossings which have been completed singlehanded or with a crew of two. Remarkable for a yacht displacing 50 tons! These yachts were all constructed using Cedar core and epoxy glass laminate, a light and extremely strong method of construction.</P> <P align=justify>Power and Steam vessels have also been born at the yard, including the 40 knot 55 foot 'Sonny Levi' designed by 'Nazca', 'Cardonnes' and 'Amy' both 20 knot cruising motor yachts.</P> <P align=justify>The Victorian style 35' steam powered 'Louise' and the contemporary designed 30ft 'Dione' for Dr Alex Moulton of bicycle and mini suspension fame, were built at the yard underscoring the versatility of the building team. </P> <P align=justify>In a similar vain The ELEPHANT BOATYARD has built the Nigel Irens and the Ed Burnett Gaff cutters 'Zinnia' 30ft and 'Ivy Green' 35ft which have both had good results in Old Gaffer events and have cruised extensively. They were constructed in wood/epoxy to keep maintenance to the minimum.</P> <P align=justify>On a different tack The ELEPHANT BOATYARD has always been mindful of the new generations coming into the sport. The 5 foot Peanut Dingy for young children designed by Blonde Hasler of 'Cockleshell Hero'  and Single handed Transatlantic fame, has been produced by the yard for the past 18 years and sold all over the world including to New Zealand for the children of the Britsh support team of the Americas Cup.</P> <P align=justify>The International 6 meters have been a longstanding interest of The ELEPHANT BOATYARD and the Richardson's. Many of the boats in the growing fleet have been refitted and maintained by the yard. The winner of the 1988 Europeans St Kitts was built by The ELEPHANT BOATYARD as was her close sister 'Georgia', both designed by Ian Howlett.</P> <P align=justify>Over the past year the yard has been kept busy carrying out major refits and repair work including engine installations, repainting of GRP and traditional yachts and insurance repairs. The ELEPHANT BOATYARD is the warranty and UK repair yard for Sweden Yachts.</P> <P align=justify>The yard is currently constructing the prototype of a new 40ft fast motor yacht designed for economical operation both at sea and for estuary and canal cruising. The vessel has many novel features designed to appeal to yachtsmen making the transition from sail to power.</P> <P align=justify>The ELEPHANT BOATYARD continues to offer a comprehensive service with moorings, slipping and storage facilities for yachts based on the Hamble River and further a field. </P> <P align=justify>The yard with the Nelson Touch!       </P> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php" target="_top"></a><br><br> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php?pages=1" target="_top" title="CONTACT US">CONTACT US</a>CONTACT US<br><br> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php?pages=2" target="_top" title="LINKS">LINKS</a>LINKS<br><br> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php?pages=3" target="_top" title="THANKYOU">THANKYOU</a>THANKYOU<br><br> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php?pages=11" target="_top" title="HISTORY">HISTORY</a>HISTORY<br><br> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php?pages=12" target="_top" title="PEANUT DINGHY">PEANUT DINGHY</a>PEANUT DINGHY<br><br> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php?pages=13" target="_top" title="FIND US">FIND US</a>FIND US<br><br> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php?pages=14" target="_top" title="MOORINGS">MOORINGS</a>MOORINGS<br><br> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php?pages=15" target="_top" title="BROKERAGE">BROKERAGE</a>BROKERAGE<br><br> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php?pages=16" target="_top" title="BOAT BITS FOR SALE">BOAT BITS FOR SALE</a>BOAT BITS FOR SALE<br><br> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php?pages=17" target="_top" title="KARI">KARI</a>KARI<br><br> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php?pages=18" target="_top" title="MOONSHADOW">MOONSHADOW</a>MOONSHADOW<br><br> <a href="http://www.elephantboatyard.co.uk/index.php?pages=19" target="_top" title="OHLSON 35">OHLSON 35</a>OHLSON 35<br><br> <center><small><a href="http://www.ittsl.com" target=_new>Website and Content Management By In Touch Technical Services - ittsl.com</a></small></center> </body>