Dave Cockwell steps back as Falmouth boatbuilder turns 30

Boat after boat, wake after wake, spread out across the Carrick Roads. Some were among the first the yard ever built. One had only just made her world debut. All of them came out of the same Cornish boatyard, and on Saturday 10 October they took to the water together to mark 30 years of Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding.

The day also marked the end of an era. Founder Dave Cockwell is stepping back from the business, and a new team is taking over.

📷The Cockwells' flotilla featured vessels from the Duchy Motor Launches range, custom-built boats and the Falmouth to St Mawes Ferry, The Duchess of Cornwall. Credit: Cockwells

A flotilla across the Carrick Roads

Invited guests boarded The Duchess of Cornwall, the traditional wooden Falmouth to St Mawes ferry that Cockwells built for the Fal River Company, at Custom House Quay on a fine afternoon. From there they followed the fleet of Duchy Motor Launches and custom craft out across the water in Falmouth.

The line-up ran from early builds to the very latest models. There were two Duchy 27s, Duchess and Kariba Blue, and five Duchy 35s, Betty, Delilah, Flying Squirrel, Isolde and Ornella. Keeper, the all-new Duchy 45, joined them shortly after her world debut at the Southampton International Boat Show.

Three custom boats completed the fleet. Alice Rose is the 38ft motor launch owned by The Nare Hotel. Ocean Fugue is a 39ft state-of-the-art yacht. And the third was an ultra-luxurious limousine tender built for Yntegra Group, the developer behind the private island destination Rosewood Exuma in the Bahamas.

📷The fleet of Cockwells-built vessels moored up in Port Pendennis Marina. Credit: Cockwells

Who was on board

The guest list mixed the people who build the boats with the people who own them. Employees and their families came along, as did board members of the Pendennis Group, which holds a majority stake in the company. Falmouth’s mayor, Cllr Alan Jewell, was there too, along with owners of Cockwells craft and new clients whose boats are still being built.

📷Celebrations for Cockwells' 30th anniversary at National Maritime Museum Cornwall. Credit: Cockwells

A toast at the maritime museum

The celebrations moved on to National Maritime Museum Cornwall, where the company’s achievements were recognised and changes to the team were announced.

Stephen Hills, Commercial Director of the Pendennis Group, said: “We are delighted to be involved with Cockwells and celebrate the team who design and build such fantastic boats, from award-winning Duchy Motor Launches and seafaring Hardy Motor Yachts to spectacular superyacht tenders that propel custom-built on-the-water luxury to the highest level.

“We are also here to raise our glasses to Dave Cockwell, the company’s eponymous founder, who, through his passionate advocacy of traditional boatbuilding skills, pioneering technical expertise and sheer hard work, has created a heritage brand that is recognised internationally for its craftsmanship, seakeeping and style.

“Following Dave’s decision to step back from the business, we look forward to working with a new team at the helm who will navigate Cockwells to its next stage of success.”

📷Cockwells' Management Team (L-R) Tim Tregear (Head of Custom Projects), Henry Ward (Head of Design and Sales), Jack Carr (Head of Duchy Motor Launches and Hardy Motor Yachts) and Stephen Hills (Group Commercial Director). Credit: Cockwells

The new team at the helm

That team is made up of three people. Henry Ward is Head of Design and Sales, Jack Carr is Head of Duchy Motor Launches and Hardy Motor Yachts, and Tim Tregear is Head of Custom Projects.

Their first job was handing out awards to boats and people from the day’s cruise. Flying Squirrel took Best Dressed Boat. The Spirit of Cockwells award went to Phil Hutch, who bought the very first Duchy 27. And Richard Worswick, skipper and owner of Ocean Fugue, was recognised for Seamanship.

Pendennis Group Chairman and Founding Partner Mike Carr then presented Dave with a 30-year-old vintage malt whisky, and a bouquet of flowers to his wife, Jo. A toast followed, to “Cockwells past and future”.

📷The fleet together on the Cockwells' 30th anniversary cruise. Credit: Cockwells

Thanks, and what comes next

Speaking on behalf of the new management team, Stephen said: “We thank everyone who has contributed to Cockwells’ 30 years of excellence and are excited about what the future holds for the distinguished brand that Dave and Jo have created, during the next 30 years and beyond.”

He thanked staff past and present, naval architect Andrew Wolstenholme, who has worked with Cockwells on many of its designs, the owners who took part in or loaned boats for the day, Jo for organising the occasion, and colleagues at Pendennis.

“Following strong interest at this year’s boat shows, we look forward to building on Cockwells’ reputation as an industry leader whilst pushing the boundaries of the possible as technologies further develop and new markets emerge,” he said.

Cockwells is based at Mylor Creek Boatyard near Falmouth and employs 130 staff. As well as its own Duchy Motor Launch range, which runs from 25ft to 60ft, it took on the assets of Hardy Marine in 2020 and still builds its motor yachts. It has also acquired The Southwest Shipyard at Ponsharden, which lets it build more of its larger vessels.

📷A flotilla of Cockwells' vessels cruising across the Carrick Roads to celebrate the company's 30th anniversary. Credit: Cockwells