A boatbuilder is asking for votes in its bid to win two coveted awards.

Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding is shortlisted for two Classic Boat Awards awards and is asking for the public to vote before midnight on Monday, March 9.

The Twin Cabin Duchy 35 has been shortlisted in the Powered Vessels category of the 2020 Classic Boat Awards.

Meanwhile historic Falmouth working boat, Bessie has been restored by Cockwells’ apprentices and is nominated in the Restoration of the Year (under 40ft) class.

The Classic Boat Awards celebrate the best newly-built boats and restorations in the ‘wonderful world of traditional vessels and the people who float them.’

The Twin Cabin Duchy 35, designed by Andrew Wolstenholme and built by Cockwells, has been described by the judges as possessing the ‘good harbour launch looks of her sisters’, the Duchy 21 and Duchy 27.

Duchy Motor Launches are classically-designed, handcrafted, semi-production vessels that are built from low maintenance composites and defined by the number of optional extras that can be incorporated – from teak decks and leather seating to custom glassware in tailor-made stowage.

The Twin Cabin Duchy 35 demonstrates an even greater level of customisation to revolutionise layout as well as ease of use.

Founder and managing director Dave Cockwell said: “The Duchy 35 is for cruising and relaxing, and offers unrivalled seakeeping with style.

“The twin cabin layout transforms the boat into a comfortable family cruiser with a galley located in the spacious saloon and two double berths below,” he adds. “The shower compartment offers generous headroom and a full-width electric sunroof enables you to take in panoramic sea views from all-round windows. Your choice of hardwood joinery, electronics and upholstery complete the picture.”

At the traditional end of the spectrum, Bessie was built in Looe in 1904 to work the oyster beds of the Helford River. Later, she raced in Falmouth.

Now, she is all set to sail visitors across Bideford Bay in the summer months.

Falmouth Packet:

This restoration involved much work to her hull as apprentice, Jack Sullivan, explained: “We had to re-plank, which involved learning how to ‘spile’, or take a pattern from an old plank and create a new one, as well as re-fasten old planks and replace frames.

"I really enjoyed putting my hands to something with a bit of heritage and learning the techniques of proper, traditional boatbuilding as part of my real-time work experience through Cockwells’ Apprenticeships.”

All you need to do to cast your votes is to log onto https://awards.classicboat.co.uk/powered-vessels/ and select Twin Cabin Duchy 35 and https://awards.classicboat.co.uk/restoration-of-the-year-under-40ft/ and choose Bessie.