Packet Business
Boat show boost for specialist firm
8:10am Friday 27th January 2012
Cornwall's leisure boat industry has had a shot in the arm thanks to the success of a Cornwall boatbuilding specialist who has gone down a storm at a major boat Show.
Cockwells, based at Mylor Creek Boatyard, will soon be recruiting for two new jobs following a successful showing at the 2012 Tullet Prebon London Boat Show, where it sold two Duchy 27 motorboats valued in excess of £300,000.
The Duchy 27, a semi-production motor launch fitted with a 200hp Toyota-based Nanni diesel engine capable of 25 knots, was displayed out of the water in the Boardwalk section of the London show.
One couple from the Isle of Wight came to see the Duchy 27 ‘in the flesh’ after their interest had been piqued by many positive reviews since its launch by HRH the Princess Royal in Cornwall in July 2011.
They were impressed with build quality, performance figures and layout and made their order the same day.
Another visitor, enamoured with the Duchy 27 at last year’s Southampton Boat Show, made the trip to the London show especially to make his purchase.
“The sales reflect a growing confidence in the leisure market which is great for all of us. I believe, as an industry we need to build ourselves out of the recession with high quality products and a friendly and efficient service,” said Dave Cockwell, managing director and founder of Cockwells.
“As an artisan boatbuilder in Cornwall, it's up to us to lead the charge with yachts that display a high level of quality and fine detail workmanship.
“We pride ourselves on going above and beyond when it comes to craftmanship and the amount of interest generated at the London Boat Show definitely reflects that.”
At the show Cockwells also exhibited Ocean Fauna, one of their bespoke builds, which is for sale by her current owners. A unique beautiful 32-foot gentleman’s launch built entirely from wood and available for viewing at Mylor Creek Boatyard.