I have an wooden rocket which is in need of restoration and I would welcome any help to find somewhere to have the necessary work carried out due to limitations on my own abilities and time

Dear Steve,

There are a number of super craftsmen who can help you out but I guess this will depend on where you are based. I can recommend Laurie Smart (07976 536922) who's based in Haywards Heath, Kevin Driver (0129723434)down at Beer, Devon and Alan Jackson at Downham ,Essex (01268 710111. That is by no means a comprehensive list and I am sure that there will be other suggestions where you can take your boat. You don't mention how old it is but if an elderly boat, it might be worth talking to Mervyn Allen (0208 2318911)who looks after the Vintage wing.

thanks Chris,
I live in Manchester and yes the boat is quite old but not in bad condition. I am prepared to travel to get a bit of TLC for what is a very nice boat I just don't have the time to do it myself. Any further information would be most welcome.
Cheers 
Steve

Hi Steve 

If you are prepared to travel then the trip to Lauries yard would definately not be a trip wasted. His level of expertise and skill in wooden boat building is quite breathtaking!

The link shows MR 3640 being built back in Oct 2003 by Laurie (moustache & fine lock of hair), which is just one of the many boats he has built of the years and it shows what a master craftsman he is. 

Bloody good bloke as well!

Good luck

Cheers Richard,
Two recommendations for the same guy! I guess I'll have to go with that. I'll give him a ring over the weekend. Thanks very much.
Steve.

Heard nothing but good about Lawrie, except he's the very devil to speak to in person. Steve Jeavons is his right hand man and handles all the calls, bookings etc.

Hi John B,
Surely the guy must have some faults!! The boat is at his workshop now. Lovely chap. Thanks to all for the help and advice.
Steve.

Faults? Err....he smokes too much?

Hi Steven, saw your boat the other weekend being worked on, see attached link

Mr Smart is the wooden boat man! He built the hull for Scatilly Clad for me old bud Steve Neal (somewhere with a family in darkest Cornwall!!) to finish off the funky one with carbon in lay foredeck! Where is she now?? And saw the prep work, mid stuff and finish etc unbelievablle work!!!Then towed the young girl back from Haywards Heath to Tammy VV slowly as hull a bit flexy as you might imagine with no thrawt (spelling) or side decks and steve complained that I hit every pot hole there was on the Farmers track sorry Mr N but it was a farmers gaff where Lawrie works from and Steve P when you get to pick up your exquisite item ask Mr S if you can sample the local cows milk and I mean local ie the field and then of course buy the lovely bloke a beer Ta