We are specialists in refit and restoration, and work across all different kinds of boats, from cruising to racing, wooden to GRP, but our absolute passion is Classic Yachts. Our in-house team of boat builders are highly skilled at traditional and new working methods and take an immense pride in giving an old boat new life.
Carlotta, our resident 1899 Bristol Pilot Cutter, was awarded the prestigious 2019 Classic Boat Magazine Award for Best Restoration >40ft for restoration work done both here at the Elephant Boatyard and at Abernethy & Gaudin Boatyard in Canada. What a scoop!
In addition to doing complete refits / restoration (see Nigella below), we routinely undertake all types of restoration work, some of which is listed below. and one of our favourite classic including:
- Re-planking, caulking, re-fastening
- Painting & varnishing
- Replacing rotten structural timber such as deadwoods, stems, hogs, transoms
- Re-decking, raking out deck seams and re-caulking
” The work is excellent. In fact, you would think Sanjula had been built with the modifications that the Elephant Boatyard have now completed” Sir Robin Knox-Johnston*
We recently launched Nigella, a classic 1959 Nelson motor launch, after an extensive rebuild project. The “Before & After” images below show just how much work went into bring Nigella back to her former glory. She is now a delightful gentleman’s launch – perfect for cruising around the Solent.
We were thrilled when Carlotta – our resident 1899 Bristol Pilot Cutter – won the 2019 Classic Boat Magazine Award for “Best Restoration of the Year” over 40ft.
Having had considerable restoration work completed at the Abernethy & Gaudin Boatyard on Vancouver Island, Carlotta came to us with further work required in order to get her afloat. The job list included replacing decayed planks in the stern, fixing leaking seams, deck caulking, ballast, fitting a new stove, plumbing and extensive rigging work.
She is a formidable combination of strength and beauty on the water and has an owner with the enthusiasm, passion and determination to inject her with a new lease of life.
Last year we completed the build of a new 64ft mast out of sitka spruce for a 1963 Sparkman & Stevens 51ft yawl, as well as a new boom. The coins inlaid into the base of her mast will bestow good luck for her and all who sail in he
Sphex is an X boat that came to us in need of some TLC. Work to date has included repair of her stem, deck sheaving, seam repair and priming her topsides ready for a final coat.
John Dory is a 45ft Bermudan Sloop built in 1938 with a fine racing pedigree. Owned by one of our longest standing customers, she is in our shed having a new ply sub deck with a tongue & groove effect to ensure a traditional look is maintained. A relaid teak deck will follow.
