A well-known Cornish boatbuilder is celebrating its 25th anniversary by expanding its business.

Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding, located in Falmouth, has been busy over the past few years - recently acquiring The South West Shipyard, a prime waterside site between Falmouth and Penryn, which it hopes will enable it to expand, meet unprecedented demand and build more of its larger vessels, which range up to 65ft.

Cockwells is also the proud originator of Duchy Motor Launches – a semi-production brand that it says 'combines the classical lines of the gentleman’s launch of generations past with polished styling and modern luxury.'

Falmouth Packet: Cockwells is also the proud originator of Duchy Motor Launches – a semi-production brand that it says 'combines the classical lines of the gentleman’s launch of generations past with polished styling and modern luxury.'Cockwells is also the proud originator of Duchy Motor Launches – a semi-production brand that it says 'combines the classical lines of the gentleman’s launch of generations past with polished styling and modern luxury.'

Dave Cockwell, Founder and Managing Director, said: "Where we win is that we are a reputable family firm that has not only survived but thrived for two-and-a-half decades – and through a pandemic."

"This is because we know how to build boats; we know how to combine traditional craftsmanship with up-to-the-minute technologies to deliver exactly what our clients want, and we continue to invest – in our people and our infrastructure – so nothing is out of reach.

"The seemingly impossible is possible because we apply tried and tested methods, and experiment at the cutting-edge.

"We are as skilled with a chisel as we are with a CNC machine, and that is what sets us apart."

In 2020, Cockwells acquired the assets of Hardy Marine, an all-weather, all-location motor yachts to expand its portfolio further.

Falmouth Packet: "Where we win is that we are a reputable family firm that has not only survived but thrived for two-and-a-half decades – and through a pandemic.""Where we win is that we are a reputable family firm that has not only survived but thrived for two-and-a-half decades – and through a pandemic."

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Dave commented further: "Like Duchy Motor Launches, Hardy motor yachts offer the ultimate in style and seakeeping as well as reliability, customisation and all the advantages that technological advances can supply.

"The difference between them is simply a question of scale.

"Duchy Motor Launches combine space with seaworthiness to provide a comfortable craft for two but if you are a multi-generational family in search of long-distance adventure on the high seas, then our Hardy motor yachts provide the spacious accommodation and lifestyle choice for longer periods on the water."

The company is also in the process of designing a family-based, hybrid boat.

Falmouth Packet: "Reimagining our designs to cater for 21st century demand and continually upskilling to be ahead of the curve is how we future-proof our business."Reimagining our designs to cater for 21st century demand and continually upskilling to be ahead of the curve is how we future-proof our business.

"The first Hardy 42 to be launched from the Mylor Creek Boatyard will be our first hybrid diesel-electric boat and we have incorporated a digital switching system to enable full-remote control for ease of handling.

"Reimagining our designs to cater for 21st century demand and continually upskilling to be ahead of the curve is how we future-proof our business.

"Whilst today’s battery technology does not yet offer a useful range for fully-electric boats, it is only a matter of time before propulsion from an alternative power source will be a realistic choice and we are champing at the bit to experiment with that.

"We nurture traditional skills but we also push the boundaries of the possible and it is this ethos that will secure our success for the next 25 years and beyond."

For further information about Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding, visit cockwells.co.uk