Positive thinking

A can-do attitude is key to the success of Melton Boatyard

Founded by Mel and Jennifer Skeet in 1981, Melton Boatyard near Woodbridge, Suffolk, provides a complete marine service for boaters on the Deben and beyond. The couple and son Simon used their wealth of knowledge, experience and a love of everything nautical to build their business, establishing a workshop

Complementing the boatyard facilities is the Deben Café Bar on HMS Vale, a facility with licenced bar and a members’ club for boatyard customers located on the aft deck of a former Royal Navy attack craft (www.debencafe.co.uk). This unique vessel floats on every tide and offers enviable views across the Deben and the salting beyond to the protected grounds of Sutton Hoo.

Customers can enjoy a selection of draft beers, wines and spirits as well as a selection of low-alcohol options, in addition to a good choice of foods, much of it locally-bought.

Deben Café Bar – famous for its home-made sausage rolls and cream teas – offers a range of cakes and sandwiches for a fast getaway or, for those who have time to linger, sit-down breakfasts, snacks and main meals. “Meals are prepared on board by two galley chefs who fully embrace the challenges of working in a small ship’s galley,” says owner and Director Cate Meadows. “Fresh bakery emerges from the ovens throughout the day, making the ship smell amazing.” for services and repairs, building a quay, and installing a 40-tonne travel hoist. Director Simon now runs the boatyard and says that this year things have been busier than ever. “At the start of the year the phone never stopped ringing with requests to lift boats, pressure wash, repair and antifoul,” he says. “Last year Melton Boatyard expanded its storage ashore, but these additional spaces have already filled up; further storage ashore will become available later this year and there is a waiting list for spaces. “

The 40-tonne hoist means larger vessels can be lifted out and repaired here. “Unlike some difficult-to-get-to boatyards, large lorries find our access easy so we frequently lift and load on and off transport,” Simon says. “Our two working cranes are always in action, lifting smaller vessels and raising and lowering masts. But every day is different – one minute I am blasting a huge Dutch barge, welding on plates, and another I am working on a GRP boat with the pox.”

Melton Boatyard has a huge mobile workshop that expands to take larger boats, as well as a traditional workshop for smaller craft. “Our workbench areas are well equipped, so we can create bespoke solutions when they can’t be bought off the shelf,” Simon explains. “My father always told me ‘nothing is impossible’ and that is the rule I live by; the skill is knowing whether something is worth fixing or when its time is up.” •www.meltonboatyard.co.uk