Traditional Boat Building of Dennetts Traditional Boat Building of Dennetts 21

By Mary Booth

If you have walked along the Thames be-If you have walked along the Thames between weekend in September in recent years, you tween Sunbury and Shepperton on the second weekend in September in recent years, you may have seen the flotilla of Dunkirk Little Ships. These beautiful may have seen the flotilla of Dunkirk Little historic boats make Ships. These beautiful this journey every year in an event designed this journey every year in an event designed to bring together veterans and those ships to bring together veterans and those ships which saved their lives in 1940. In more recent years, the veterans Cruise has been ex-which saved their lives in 1940. panded to include veterans of more recent cent years, the veterans Cruise has been ex-conflicts. As from 2021 there is a change and panded to include veterans of more recent conflicts. As from 2021 there is a change and the cruise will embark from Penton Hook. The beauty and craftsmanship of these vessels is admired by many and we are lucky to have of the back of a van on private jobs having learned his trade from the age of 15 working at numerous yards up and down the local the cruise will embark from Penton Hook. a traditional boat builder locally who is very reaches of the Thames. A notable craft he The beauty and craftsmanship of these vessels much involved. Dennett Boat Builders worked on was a 72ft MTB’s for the Royal is admired by many and we are lucky to have a traditional boat builder locally who is very much involved. Dennett Boat Builders (www.dennettboatbuilders.co.uk) specialises in the restoration of traditional wooden and historical vessels, and they have indeed restored and maintained many of the Navy. Today, it is with great pride that the work carried out by Stephen and his team is not just noticed locally but nationally and globally (www.dennettboatbuilders.co.ukDunkirk Little Ships which grace our river. with clients from Europe and the States. The specialises in the restoration of traditional Craftsmanship, quality and beauty is the hall- publication ‘Classic Boat’ which celebrates wooden and historical vessels, and they have indeed restored and maintained many of the mark of a Dennett restored craft. With over 60 years experience, they use time honoured techniques, passed from father to son, to rethe worlds most beautiful classic yachts and traditionally designed vessels, have approached Dennetts regarding their restoration store historic vessels. Dunkirk Little Ships which grace our river. of Makaira / RFC 113, a Dunkirk Little Ship Dennett Boat Builders Craftsmanship, quality and beauty is the hall-have been based in found as recently as 2012 in a field, barely mark of a Dennett restored craft. With over 60 years experience, they use time honoured Laleham Reach since the 1980’s when Stephen Dennett and his father Michael acquired their yard. Prior to this, Michael worked out recognisable after many modifications. Having been completely rebuilt at Dennetts, Makaira is now up for a prestigious Classic techniques, passed from father to son, to reBoat Award - Best Restoration of a Power store historic vessels. Boat. It is a great honour to be recognised

Dennett Boat Builders Laleham Reach since the regardless if she wins or not. If you would like to help Makaira win at the Classic Boat Awards 2021 do cast a vote by March 8th at phen Dennett and his father Michael acquired (http://awards.classicboat.co.uk/) their yard. Prior to this, Michael worked out It is quite something to have such a long standing traditional local based business playing such a role in maintaining the nations maritime history. Follow: Dennetts on Facebook and Instagram to see their latest project which include a Jolly Boat used on the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Stephen in his workshop, using the traditional technique of steaming oak ribs