Cockwells’ first ever tender returns to Cornwall for refit

Fourteen years is a long time on the water. Long enough for the boat that made a Cornish yard’s name to come home again, this time not to be built but to be brought back to life. T/T Nautilus, the very first tender Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding ever produced, has returned to the UK for a major refit and now sits restored to peak condition, ready to rejoin the 73m superyacht she serves.

📷TT Nautilus returning to her mothership - Image Credit Cockwells

The boat that built a reputation

Cockwells built T/T Nautilus in 2012. After 14 years of continuous service, with all the wear and tear that comes with it, the little craft was due a comprehensive refresh. She was so well loved by her owner and crew that a refit was the only option on the table, and the yard that built her in the first place was the obvious choice to take it on.

The work has been thorough. No element of the vessel was left untouched. Only the original composite structure remains, along with the woodwork, which was stripped back and re-varnished. Every system, hardware included, has been entirely replaced. She now presents like new and has been delivered back to her mothership.

📷TT Nautilus has been restored to peak condition by Cockwells - Image Credit Cockwells

Why a refit over a new build

For Tim Tregear, who currently oversees tender production at Cockwells, the return of the yard’s first tender carries some weight.

“The build of T/T Nautilus 14 years ago was a proud moment that established the foundation upon which Cockwells became renowned in the custom tender market, and to see her back for such an extensive refit underpins the company’s position as industry leading custom boat builders,” he said.

“Whilst it is our aim to support our own global fleet of custom tenders, we are always available to give any tender the Cockwells touch with system upgrades or cosmetic improvements,” Tim added.

He makes the case for a refit as an alternative to starting from scratch. “A refit offers significant advantages to a new build, with shorter lead times, greater cost efficiency and the opportunity to retain a craft that you already know and trust, whilst upgrading it to meet your expectations of performance, comfort and style.”

📷TT Nautilus being raised into her tender garage - Image Credit Cockwells

Care that lasts the life of the boat

The yard is offering aftercare on every boat that leaves it. “Our dedicated team bring their renowned expertise and attention to detail to every project. We also offer bespoke aftercare services for every boat that leaves our yard,” Tim said. “From technical advice and troubleshooting to annual maintenance and systems support, we care for you and your tender throughout its lifetime.”

Cockwells is set up to take on either kind of job, a complete custom new build or a refit of an existing craft. As part of the Pendennis Group, it can also extend refit and repair work into the Mediterranean at Pendennis Vilanova, the shipyard’s Barcelona base, for owners who find that more convenient.

Details on the refit service are at cockwells.co.uk/tender-refit.

📷TT Nautilus returns to her mothership after a major refit - Image Credit Cockwells