Factory Tour

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Our new page details our factory in Rochdale. Although not generally associated with the manufacture of high quality yachts, Rochdale is in the heart of the North West of England with its rich tradition of manufacturing. Liverpool is only a short drive away with all its rich maritime traditions. Some of the worlds most famous ships such as the Aircraft Carrier "Ark Royal" and R.M.S "Windsor Castle" were built at Cammel Lairds on Merseyside. We feel we are carrying on the tradition, albeit on a smaller scale, of boat building in the North West of England!

We have added this page as we feel it represents a true differentiator of us as a Company. We own our premises and as a result we have invested greatly in its fabric and manufacturing capability. We pride our selves in making just about ALL the parts for all our boats in house, as this page reveals. We manufacture the hulls, woodwork, blocks, trailers etc. All MADE IN ENGLAND! Bob And Norma

Laminating and Build Woodwork Metalwork Blocks

Click on photos for larger pictures!

Laminating and Build

Our main floor space. A number of boats under construction, including our Cape Cutter 19, Coasters and Luggers.
A Cape Cutter being born! This was the London Boat Show exhibit. Our laminating takes place within a controlled temperature environment. Unlike some manufacturers "green" mouldings (those just out of the mould) are never stored outside awaiting fitting out as this can damage the lamination. We are looking to further refine the lamination process by the inclusion of a specialist booth. Note how we protect the new hull by using a custom cradle as support.
A further view of the work space, which shows a Cape Cutter 19 tray mould, along with other boats at various stages of fit out.
Many of our boats are formed from at least 2 main moulds- a hull and a deck. The Coaster and Cape Cutter 19 include tray moulds. This shows a picture of a Cape Cutter 19 tray mould just laminated in position in the hull
Quite often fittings are placed in the deck moulding prior to the joining of the deck to the hull. This is a production technique as much time is saved and is easier at this stage as backing plates can be easily fitted. It is also less dangerous for working as the deck is at a more convenient height. All load bearing fittings have backing plates- where these are blind such as in the Lugger a piece of wood is laminated into the mould to form an integrated structure with the deck.
Cape Cutter 19 awaiting fitting of a deck
Next stage! Deck awaiting fitting to a Cape Cutter 19. When joined this is bonded and is a biscuit tin type seal for added security
The interior of a cape Cutter 19 following cleaning and polishing. Compare this to the earlier picture of the tray moulding. This is the same boat!
The start of the fitting out process. At this stage cabin joinery is fitted, protected by plastic film.
All our boats have a Hull ID number. With the inclusion of a Boatmark chip this can be easily traced if stolen.
The Boatmark chip is similar to a data tag which contains details of the owner should the boat be stolen/recovered. This can be incorporated to all our boats as an option.
A typical finished boat interior. This is the Cape Cutter 19. View looking at the Port galley.
Cape Cutter 19- further details of finished interior. View looking through hatch entrance.
Cape Cutter 19- further details of finished interior. View looking aft from the front bunk.

Woodwork (click here to return to the top of this page)

We make all our woodwork in house from hard woods and Sitka Spruce where applicable (masts, booms, and gaffs etc). Some joinery is quite complex and involves lamination, such as the stern board shown here for a Lugger. We have invested heavily in our carpentry department. The most complex boat we do from a carpentry perspective is a Scaffie, our smallest boat!
We even turn all our belaying pins shown here!
This shows a lamination in build- in our carpentry workshop.
The final product- tillers awaiting final finishing
We also make teak gratings- this is one for our Coaster.
A laminated tiller fitted to a rudder head. All of the 316 stainless steel cheeks we manufacture

Metalwork (click here to return to the top of this page)

We make all of the 316 Stainless Steel fittings in house for all of our boats. This shows a selection awaiting fitting.
All castings are cast locally to our own patterns- this photograph shows our trademark bronze mainsheet bar, traveller and bronze cleat used on our Devon boats.
Another Honnor Marine owned pattern- a bronze deadlight for a Coaster
We also make all of our trailers. This shows our metal working shop with a trailer of a Coaster under build. We have invested heavily in this area and have recently purchased bending, press and nibbler machines. Details of our trailers are here
Axles awaiting fitting to our trailers specifically designed for the Devon, Drascombe and Cape Cutter 19 boats. The Cape Cutter 19 trailer is also now being sold to Cornish Shrimper owners.
Laser Cut steel centre plate board. This requires final fitting and drilling and will then be sent out for galvanising.
Shroud plate in 316 Stainless Steel.- another in house manufactured part.

Blocks (click here to return to the top of this page)

We have all the tooling to make a full range of classic Tufnol blocks. These are known for their free running self lubricating properties and longevity. This photograph shows the rollers being manufactured on a lathe.
The finished roller.
We hold a full inventory of tooling to make Tufnol blocks of all different sizes. We have supplied our blocks all over the world. We have recently supplied the Royal Navy with some larger blocks.
Final assembly of the blocks.
The finished article. These are used on all our Devon range boats. They are a finishing touch to the truly classic nature of these boats.

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