Mylor-based Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding have added another coveted industry award to their trophy cabinet – a 2018 Motor Boat Award – for the Duchy 35.

The Duchy 35 was one of eight exceptional designs to have been nominated in the Wheelhouse and Cockpit Cruisers category of Motor Boat & Yachting magazine’s 2018 Motor Boat Awards and beat off stiff competition to be crowned the winner at a glittering ceremony held in London’s West End this week.

The Duchy 35 was singled out by the judges as a boat that “tugs at your heartstrings from the moment you set eyes on it” and one that they would all love to own.

Duchy Motor Launches are classically-designed, handcrafted, semi-production vessels that are created by Cockwells’ skilled craftsmen whose design flair, expertise and exacting standards are second-to-none.

Built in low maintenance composites, these launches can be customised with a seemingly infinite number of optional extras: from teak decks and leather seating to bespoke crockery and glassware in tailor-made stowage.

Following the success of the brand’s flagship – the Duchy 27 – and the stylish open day boat, the Duchy 21, the Duchy 35 provides spacious accommodation for up to ten day guests or a luxurious weekend berth for two with a choice of one- or two-cabin layouts. The design also incorporates every conceivable comfort from a shower compartment with generous headroom and a full-width electric sunroof with all-round windows that take in panoramic sea views to a well-equipped galley and customised hardwood joinery, electronics and upholstery to meet the client’s specific requirements.

The judges – Motor Boat & Yachting Magazine’s Hugo Andreae, Jack Haines and Nick Burnham – also highlighted the craft’s “elegant styling, married to a sturdy displacement hull and a beautifully hand-crafted interior… with its sumptuous concoction of handmade cabinets, thoughtful, practical detailing and solid wood… that will ensure this boat stands the test of time.” They also described the Duchy 35 as “a shining example of traditional and contemporary working together in perfect harmony to create a boat that has the retro appeal of a wooden launch, yet all the equipment and comfort of a modern 40ft cruiser.”

“We could not be more delighted that the Duchy 35 has won this prestigious accolade from industry professionals,” commented Founder & Managing Director, Dave Cockwell. “Following Motor Boat & Yachting’s outstanding review of the vessel’s sea trial and the record-breaking sales we achieved at last year’s Southampton Boat Show, this is the perfect beginning to a new year. It is also testament to the exemplary way in which our design team respond to the precise requirements of our clientele, and our highly skilled craftsmen who bring those designs to life in meticulous detail. We look forward to releasing designs for Scandinavian and Mediterranean options of the Duchy 35 later this month, as well as another year of record sales and growth.”