the engine and building brand new masts.” The shipwrights say that’s what they like about the job though, as they never know what is going to happen each day - what boat will sail in next and what prob- lems they may unearth. “Every boat is different and sometimes one side of a boat maybe different to the other. We sometimes have to create brand new tools just to do one bit of work on one particular boat to access a certain nail or screw!” The team keep photographic evidence of all their projects - showing the different stages. John says the photos are best when a really dilapidated boat comes in as the changes are more evident. He thinks it’s all worthwhile when they watch a newly refurbished boat being launched back into the Dart: “You can work on these boats for months, you literally live and breathe them and feel a real sense of ownership, so it’s such a great feeling when they eventually take to the water. It’s even better when you catch a glimpse of the yacht out and about when you’re not expecting it and you think ‘I helped build that.’” The close knit team (which also includes Alan the yard hand, Roger the shipwright and Fran who applies the protective coating systems) always have a project on the go and the sound of sanding and the smell of varnish is in the air all year round, rain or shine: “We have a covered slipway and dry dock so we can do a lot of work
under cover, but it gets pretty cold in the winter. We just put on an- other jumper and some gloves and carry on!” They are quite isolated so there isn’t a chance for anyone to pick up a cappuccino, but they say they bring lots of warm food to keep them going in the colder months and when it does warm up they have been known to send one of the boys to the SPAR shop to collect ice creams for the crew! It seems John can’t get enough of the water. He’s working along- side it all day and looking at it every evening - as his house is just a stone’s throw from Blackpool Sands. He and his family also use the company RIB every now and again to dart up to Dittisham for some crabbing or to pop out to the Mew Stone to spot seals and fish for mackerel. Although the team have been
working here for years, ‘being in charge’ is all still fresh and new as they only took over in March, a couple of days before lockdown. In fact, they were denied a proper celebration, partly due to lockdown and partly due to their busy work- load, but they did all have a glass of something at home! They say they want to tidy up the yard and get things more ordered before they look to gently expand: “It will never be a flashy marina, we will always try and maintain the charm, but we do want to grow and take on more work and just let more people know we are here.”
creeksideboatyard.co.uk
Will
Chris
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