Despite the recent freezing winter weather conditions, life here at the yard is anything but dull. Although we work across all different kinds of boats, from cruising to racing, wooden to GRP, our absolute passion is Classic Yachts. Traditional wooden craft, and bringing history back to life, are simply what we LOVE. Our in-house team of boat builders are knowledgable and highly skilled at traditional and new working methods and take an immense pride in giving an old boat new life. They are currently working flat out on a diverse number of projects, each with its own set of unique challenges. But most importantly, with amazing results!

Here’s just a few recent examples of what we’ve been up to:

Towards the end of 2017 we completed the build of a new 64ft mast out of sitka spruce for a 1963 Sparkman & Stevens 51ft yawl. We are now putting the final touches to a new boom for her. The coins inlaid into the base of her mast will bestow good luck for her and all who sail in her.

Carlotta is a recently restored Bristol Pilot Cutter, shipped to the yard directly from Canada.  She was built in 1899 and has a fascinating history of high profile owners and daring escapades – including World War II escapes, being hit by a hurricaine, and many more! We are undertaking some essential planking repairs as well as extensive rigging improvements.

Sphex is an X boat that came to us in desperate need of some TLC.  After some work on her stem repair, she is now almost to the stage when we can crack on with her topsides

John Dory is a 45ft Bermudan Sloop built in 1938 with a fine racing pedigree.  Owned by one of our longest standing customers (Ray has been coming here for more than 40 years) she is in our shed being re-decked.

And finally, the refurbishment of Sanjula’s interior is now complete. She is Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s Farr 56ft who came in for a full internal refit. We have turned the forward cabin from a double bunk area into two twin cabins and a new head, and have also installed a watertight door.

         ”  The work is excellent. In fact, you would think Sanjula had been built with the modifications that the
Elephant Boatyard have now completed” 

       Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

We are proud to be one of the few remaining boatyards on the South Coast to have a dedicated team of skilled craftsmen with an unparalleled level of expertise in boat-building and repair.

Headed up by Matt Richardson, the team has a passion for sailing – both racing and cruising – which gives us an in-depth understanding of our client’s precise requirements.

With some notable wooden yachts built at the yard, plus hi-tech racers and numerous extensive refits of important yachts, our team have a comprehensive knowledge of both traditional boat-building techniques and high-tech composites.

Whether it’s a classic wooden racing yacht or an elegant gentleman’s launch, our customers are involved at every stage of the process to ensure we create a bespoke boat which truly suits their needs.

We still have some spaces for winter berthing (December – end March) on our sheltered pontoon berths in Bursledon Pool, subject to availability.  All berths have electricity and water, and our yard can take on any refit requirements to enable you to get a head start for the 2017 season.

• Walk-on access to all moorings
• Lift out facilities – travel hoist and slipways
• Facilities for lifting out masts and checking rigging
• Experienced workforce
• Fantastic restaurant located on site (The Ferry)
• Near local chandleries

Please contact us for details on mooring fees & our competitive haul-out rates.

Tel:             02380 403268

E-mail:        info@elephantboatyard.co.uk

Address:     Lands End Road, Old Bursledon, SO31 8DN

The International 6 Metre Class has long associations with the River Hamble which go back before the First World War. The 6 Metres were the Olympic keel boat class up to just after the War before being superseded by the International 5.5 class. Many of the most competitive 6’s were sailed out of the Hamble which was the centre for many of the top crews who fished during the winter months and raced on the Solent during the summer. The class almost died out in the late 30’s due to the high building and running costs. Many of the older yachts which had been converted for cruising, raced in the separate Q class.

There was a resurgence in interest in 6’s between 1947 and the early 50’s with new boats being built which included “Thistle” which still races out of the Hamble and the “Royal Thames” in which John and Bill Foulkes of Foulkes’s Boatyard Bursledon, crewed, a period when she won many prizes.

Due to the efforts of a small band of enthusiasts and the rebirth of the World and European Championships, the 6 Metre Class started to come alive again in the UK with the first post war Britiish Championships being raced at Cowes in 1985. Col. Tim Street was the prime mover. Through his great efforts and the input and enthusiasm of a number of top sailors, who wanted a class that could give them exciting racing, without the requirement of having to build a new boat every year to remain competitive.

A number of modern 6’s were built with a fin keel and separate rudder as opposed to the Classic 6’s with the more traditional long keel. Two new Ian Howlett designs were built at the Elephant Boatyard, Bursledon in the late ‘80s. The first was “St.Kitts” which won the 1988 Europeans in Falmouth and is still sailing out of the Hamble with her close sister “Georgia”.

The Royal Southern Yacht Club has always been a big supporter of the Class and has organised British Championships, the Southern 6 and many other events for the Class.

The 2015 season included the 6 Metre World Championships with over 40 boats racing in Brittany at La Trinite, the British Championships with the RSrnYC, the Cowes Classics, Royal Yacht Squadron 200^th Anniversary and the Bursledon Swanwick Regatta. A full on year with fantastic sailing with great people in beautiful boats that handle like a dream. Hard to beat!

A class that was born back in 1907 and which competed in the first Olympic Regatta at Ryde in 1908 is still going strong and always looking for new challenges. Long may they grace the River Hamble.