Havelock Slipway has a long-standing connection with traditional boatbuilding and the care of classic wooden vessels. Our qualified shipwrights bring deep practical experience working with timber hulls and traditional construction methods, allowing repairs and restorations to be carried out with respect for the vessel’s original design and character.
We understand that wooden boats require a different approach — one grounded in craftsmanship, appropriate materials, and an appreciation of the vessel’s history.
Traditional Timber Repairs
Repair and replacement of broken or damaged ribs
Installation of sister ribs where appropriate
Replacement of decayed or damaged planking
Splicing of timbers using traditional methods
Caulking of hulls and seams
Complete teak deck installations and repairs
Work is undertaken using traditional tools and techniques where required, ensuring compatibility with original construction.
Classic Vessel Restoration
Restoration of older and heritage vessels
Structural repairs and sympathetic upgrades
Preservation of original features and character
Careful planning of staged restoration projects
Our shipwrights have a genuine passion for bringing classic vessels back to life — restoring strength, beauty, and seaworthiness while retaining the soul of the original craft.
Craftsmanship with Purpose
Restoring a classic wooden vessel is more than a repair — it is the preservation of a historic piece of maritime craftsmanship. Each project is approached with care, patience, and an understanding that the work must endure well into the future.
From individual timber repairs through to full restorations, your vessel is handled by tradesmen who value traditional skills and take pride in seeing classic boats returned to the water in their former glory.
Why Classic Boats Need Specialist Care
Classic wooden vessels require a fundamentally different approach from modern production boats. Their construction methods, materials, and structural behaviour demand experience that goes beyond general boat repair.
Timber hulls move, swell, and breathe with changes in moisture and temperature
Traditional fastenings, frames, and planking work together as a system
Incorrect materials or modern shortcuts can cause long-term damage
Repairs must be sympathetic to original construction methods and timber species
Our shipwrights understand these principles and work with the vessel — not against it — ensuring repairs are structurally sound, durable, and respectful of the boat’s heritage.
Classic Restoration Projects
We undertake restoration work on classic and heritage vessels, ranging from targeted structural repairs through to staged, long-term restorations.
Typical restoration work includes:
Hull and framing repairs
Timber replacement and structural renewal
Deck restoration and teak deck installation
Caulking, finishing, and detailing
Coordination of mechanical, engineering, and coating work as part of a full restoration
Each project is approached individually, with careful planning and clear communication to ensure the vessel is restored safely, sympathetically, and with longevity in mind.