This Falmouth Boatbuilder’s First Duchy 35 Has Crossed the Atlantic

A motor launch built beside Mylor Creek is now moored on the far side of the Atlantic. Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding has delivered its first ever Duchy 35 to new owners in Rhode Island. And she turned heads at an American boat show before she even reached her mooring.

Frisia finds a home in Rhode Island

The Duchy 35 named ‘Frisia’ is a customised take on one of Cockwells’ most popular models within its Duchy Motor Launches brand. This one carries a varnished Iroko transom and double doors, a twin cabin layout, and a traditional navy hull finished with a red and white cove line.

She was delivered with Cockwells’ exclusive North American dealers, Wellington Yacht Partners, also based in Rhode Island. The firm is led by respected yacht broker Ted Hood, whose late father was an internationally renowned yacht designer and builder.

📷Duchy 35 'Frisia' flying her new American flag - Image Credit Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding

A stateside debut in Connecticut

Before settling with her owners, Frisia made her American debut at the Connecticut Spring Boat Show at Safe Harbour Essex Island. She appeared alongside a Duchy 27, and the pair drew admiration for their modern usability, pleasing proportions and craftsmanship.

Dave Cockwell, Cockwells’ Founder and Sales & Technical Director, attended the show. “It was fantastic to see how well the first Duchy 35 was received by American boat lovers as they complimented her exceptional build quality and classic styling,” he said. “If this reaction is anything to go by, I am sure we will be seeing a lot more Duchys in the United States in the future.”

Ted Hood, Managing Director of Wellington Yacht Partners, welcomed Dave Cockwell to Connecticut to meet customers in person. “As the exclusive North American representatives for Cockwells’ Duchy Motor Launches, we are proud to connect discerning American boaters with a legacy rooted in English craftsmanship,” he said.

📷Duchy 35 'Frisia' in New England waters - Image Credit Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding

What the Duchy 35 offers

The Duchy 35 is a classically crafted motor launch, and a former winner of the Wheelhouse and Cockpit Cruisers category at Motor Boat & Yachting magazine’s Motor Boat Awards. It has a spacious cockpit and an airy saloon with room for socialising and relaxing, whatever the weather.

With the single cabin option, she works as a luxury day boat or a weekender for two. Choose the twin cabin layout and she becomes a family cruiser, with a well-equipped galley in the saloon and two double berths below.

Duchy 35 key figures

• Length overall: 11.48m
• Beam overall: 3.77m
• Draft: 0.89m
• Displacement: 8.75t
• Engine: twin 270hp Nanni T4
• Maximum speed: 28 knots
• Berths: up to ten day guests, or a weekend berth for two with the option of a second cabin

The smaller Duchy 27, first delivered to the United States in 2025, is a weekender for two or a picnic boat for six guests, with punchy performance and comprehensive creature comforts.

📷The Duchy 35 with her beautiful wooden transom and bifold doors - Image Credit Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding

The Cornish boatyard behind the brand

Cockwells is based at Mylor Creek Boatyard near Falmouth, at the westerly edge of the UK. The company builds bespoke superyacht tenders and motor launches, and created the Duchy Motor Launches brand, which runs from 25ft to 60ft.

In 2020 it acquired the assets of Hardy Marine and continues to build those seafaring motor yachts to their original specifications and to reimagined designs. Cockwells recently became part of The Pendennis Group and employs a team of more than 150 skilled staff. Its acquisition of the Southwest Shipyard at Ponsharden lets it build more of its larger vessels and offer clients a range of boatyard services.

Following recent showings in Europe at boot Dusseldorf and with partners Davis Marine Brokerage in Sydney, the company’s next stop is the Southampton International Boat Show.

📷Duchy 35 arrives in America - Image Credit Cockwells