Hi guys,  looking to get Blondie re-decked and I'm useless at wood work so I'm trying to find some good to do the job for me.  I've been googling the subject trying to find boatbuilders (they seem to be few and far between now!) especially as far north as us (Aberdeen).  Can anyone recommend people to get in touch with, preferably in Scotland but not crucial.  I've allready e-mailed Chipstow about it and found someone else in Argyll, but a part from that I'm lost!  
Otherwise is anyone in Scotland interested in doing the job?  I'll obviously pay the going market rate and supplies etc.  Cheers Oli.

Just got this off the MA Noble's website:

J Buchan and Sons 
Boat builders and joiners    
Phone: 01779 475395  Fax: 01779 475395 
Address: 2 Baltic Place, Peterhead, Scotland. AB42 1TF

The trouble you have is that merlins were always mostly built in the south except of course Winders who now deal with plastic only and Aln boatyard who have long since closed.

Does it really need redecking?

If so the people you really want to do it are those like Jacko (chipstow), Kevin Driver or Lawrie Smart. These guys have dealt with Merlins most or all of their working lives and thoroughly understand the joinery and workloads of the boats. If you're going to spend that amount of money on the boat i'd say it's worth bringing it down for a specialist to do really.

You could try Arnott Dobson who was Aln Boatyard, he is still in the North.

Here's a list of traditional boat builders

Cheers guys, what is the MA Nobles website out of interest?  I'll give those guys in Peterhead a phone.  I'm not really sure if it needs re-decking.  Might be that it can be fixed or a small veneer put over some of the affected bits.  I don't know what I'm doing enough to say really!  Oli.

send me some photos.

I think he means the Noble Marine website, a large insurance broker

Cetainly in the Aberdeen area I think you are on your own.  My guess is that Peterhead boat builders will be fishing based - I didn't like the "boat repairs and joiners" tag!!   There is a boatyard at Macduff too but that's for trawlers.  You might ask in the Findhorn area - the marina there state repairs but it might be engines and the like.  Of course you could bite the bullet and do it yourself - not too hard.

"boat repaires & joiners" in better than Knight & Pink - boat builders & coffin makers!

There were serious doubts as to which were issued sail numbers!

re-decking - that is just replacing the ply not the stringers - isn't too difficult. It's a matter of getting the old ply out (and you can sand/cut/drill as you want) - template the gap with card, then cut the marine ply to fit. Then glue/epoxy in place.

Colin

Oli 

There is no one up here in Aberdeen. 

Have some work to do on 3416 and just weighing up either a road trip south or west to find someone reputable or biting the bullet and getting the inspiration to spend a few weekends in the shed at Stonehaven....

The last time I looked, Caley Marina in Inverness had a guy working for them who was a. good with wood and b. familiar with dinghies.  Might be worth a phonecall?  Mark or Martin or something similar.

Might be worth contacting John Cameron at Newburgh sailing club (P3 BOATS), he might be able to help you out being a solo builder or if not at least put you in the right direction to who could help. his contact details are on the scottish solo website.

http://www.scottishsolosailing.org.uk/

I Know John Cameron and have seen his work and He could definately do it. Another one is Simpson Marine in Dundee who are ok but just don't expect your boat back in the near future and don't believe the completion dates they tell you. Martin Cruden at Findhorn could do it but last time I spoke to him he was making carbon masts for big boats. Gordon Tulloch in Kinghorn did a lovely insurance job for me years ago but I don't know if he is still working. I don't have any numbers handy but if you want me to dig them out e mail me at [email protected] and I will source them. If I had a choice it would be in order, Gordon, John and Martin equal 2nd and Simpson Marine last mostly cos they take too long.

Just spotted your comment Woozle and the bloke you spotted at Caley Marine is most likely Martin Cruden

That sounds right.  Where do you know him from?  I thought he cam from the Aberdeen area.

If its who I think it is (Martin Cruden) he has a boat builder and repairing shed at the north end of the boat yard in Findhorn. I know him from sailing at Findhorn week for the last ten years or so. He often helms a national 18 called Jafica owned by Phil Hermiston or a moth which he has sailed for years.

Gordon Tulloch has retired from boat building and repairs last i heard.

You might want to think about David Spy, based in Helensburgh. Bit out of your way but he has done some excellent rebuilds and has decked dinghies in the past

Males really excellent half and full models too.