“A big thank you to all at Gweek for their support and guidance.”

Having bought the Maid of Conway on the 13th April 2021 we set out an ambitious plan to get her back into the water by the 14th June 2021. And with very long hours, help and advice of a lot of people that plan was achieved. Previously The Maid of Conway had been laid up at Gweek for a very long time. So long that people had forgotten how long she had been there  for (So probably she had been out of the water between 7 - 10years).

The previous owners had completed the vast amount of the project but had finally run out of drive to finally complete her. So it was down to us to complete and bring her back to the high finish standard that she deserved.

With well over 900 man hours put into the project in two months we would like to take this opportunity to give special thanks to Gweek Classic Boatyard. A big thank you to all at Gweek for their support and guidance. In particular to Louise for her ability to find spare items when we had tried all avenues with out success (UK shortage of International Toplac paint) and to the Yard Crew for their lively banter and a very successful launch and recovery on the 14th June. A big Well-done. 

— David & Family, Maid of Conway

“We would just like to say a huge thank you to Gweek Classic Boatyard and Andrew Massey for their outstanding support and the efforts they went to for us whilst we had the keel bolts replaced on our 1965 Hillyard 20 ton Ketch. We cannot sing their praises highly enough. From the moment we first made contact with them they have given us excellent support and their professionalism, team work and enthusiasm have been second to none. We wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to recommend them to anyone considering having work done to their vessel. And, to top it all, the location is magical. Thank you for going the extra mile for us.”

— David & Bridget, Wendy Woo

“Being new to boating and Helford River, I received so much help and advice from the Boatyard Team... From the Owners, Boat Yardmen and Office Admin Team as well as the Boatyard Cafe, you couldn't hope to meet a friendlier group of people. All this helped my decision to entrust my boat, Liselle, to their care over the winter. Easy access to my boat as well as the shop and services, all offered at Gweek makes this an affordable, pleasant and enjoyable experience.

Special mention has to go to Dave Furness who takes an interest in all the boats and owners and has no hesitation in putting the customer first.”

— Mark Reid, Liselle

"We chose Gweek Quay to lift out and store our Hunter 707 for the winter. David met us at 0530 with a hot cup of tea and biscuits and a friendly briefing before taking us up the river on the high tide. Mark also came with us in his Dory and shepherded us back as this was our first time taking a fin keel boat this far down river. It was a wet and windy morning but the views down the Creek at first light were just splendid and we were able fully to enjoy the trip as we felt in absolutely safe hands. Nothing was rushed, the boat was safely lifted out despite the difficulty conditions. David, still chipper and friendly 6 sleep-deprived hours later, arranged some winter repairs and other bits and pieces for us and sent me a tide table to arrange the relaunch in Spring. A first class and very friendly service that I cannot recommend too highly - thank you Gweek Quay."

— Simon Thomas, Owner of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle

“Already talking to Andrew about further works”

We will be returning Nepenthe to you next winter lay up and in fact I have already been talking to Andrew about further works that he may need to schedule for next winter. The only place we have found anyone who really knows what they are doing with an old wooden boat is at Gweek.

— A.M..

Thanks for a problem free stay at Gweek and your flexibility in timing both craning out and in ... and the anti-foul pause.

— P.J., Hannabee

“What a lovely birthday present!”

She looks fantastic... thank you for such a lovely job and the pictures.

— Simon, Amoret

 

Thank you all for your help and assistance during the past few weeks whilst we were working on Crevette.  The changes and improvements to the yard are evident and we wish you every success for the future. 

— P.G., Crevette


Please pass my thanks to your excellent team at the boatyard. I was only there for a short time but they couldn’t have been more welcoming and helpful.

The quality of the work undertaken by Jerome on my boat was excellent together with the practical assistance from Luke. I was very impressed.

— Ian Tolchard


"A wide range of skills and expertise".

I used Gweek Classic Boatyard for the first time this year and found the whole experience entirely positive and would wholeheartedly recommend other boat owners to consider using Gweek for their future winter layovers. 

Our initial experience revolved around coming up the river - we were unsure of the navigation route and although there are marker buoys the channel needs care for a boat our size. Tom the Boatyard manager proved extremely helpful - after we discussed our requirements and set a date Tom took us down the river on the boatyard rib to our boat and then helped us navigate up the river. The stress was completely taken out of the process and our initial very positive experience was further enforced throughout the winter season.

Tom and John expertly craned our yacht - a 32 foot Nordship - out of the water and smoothly moved her to the site in the boatyard where she was chalked up. We found Tom, together with his son John a constant source of good humour, enthusiasm, help and bon homie with no job too small to either guide, assist or help with.

We found the boatyard had a wide range of skills and expertise and so we were fortunate to benefit from some small and larger jobs over the winter. 

The chandlery has been restocked and has a good range of items for the general repair work required. The team on the yard have contacts in every area - from the gas fitting and annual checks, the riggers and sail contacts, through to any electrical work and the range of woodwork required. Gemma and the office team handle all the administration extremely professionally and it was very positive to see the significant investment going into all areas of the yard to make the operation so much better run and professional. The yard looks, feels and is well run. 

Chris, Trevor and the team provided an excellent cleaning and de-cruding service with our yacht's hull coming out positively gleaming after a clean wax and polish. A range of smaller jobs were completed without fuss and the recommendations, approach and skill with which the team carried out the work was excellent. 

We found Susie, Duncan and the team expert woodworkers and they managed to return some of the teak on board to a fabulous condition. 

Andrew in the wood shed proved a constant source of knowledge about all the wood work that needed doing and care required. 

And finally when we went back in the water Tom, John and the team were there to again assist us throughout the process.

All in all we couldn't have asked for a better experience for our initial winter season at Gweek.

- Mike Pendleton


The new team is throwing everything, including the kitchen sink, into making the yard great again, and we look forward to seeing how they get on when the job list has been ticked off.

— Classic Boat Magazine