A commission was secured as soon as the artisan boatbuilder unveiled a new model in its popular Duchy Motor Launch series – the Duchy 21 – at the Southampton Boat Show. This was swiftly followed by keen interest in, and multiple requests to sea-trial, the flagship of the series, the Duchy 27.

The Duchy 21 is a stylish open day boat that is ideal for inland waters with ample cockpit space for cruising and relaxing with friends and family. The Duchy 27 is a weekender for two or a picnic boat for up to six guests that can comfortably navigate the coasts of England, France and the Channel Islands.

“The brilliant thing about our Duchy range is that you get all the polished styling and relaxed handling of a custom build without the high-end price tag,” explains Founder and Managing Director, Dave Cockwell. “We provide the elegantly-designed, low-maintenance, composite hull and the client chooses any number of optional extras from custom-made stainless steel fittings, the timber for the interior and fabric for the upholstery to a cockpit sunbed, in-built hamper, Fusion marine stereo or hand-carved oak table. There is nothing else like this on the market in Europe and we are delighted with the response. We will launch a high-end family cruiser, the Duchy 35 next year and the Duchy 25, Duchy 45 and Duchy 60 are all on the drawing board, so watch this space.”

At the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show, the superlative 7m sports boat and innovative limousine tender that Cockwells had created for the award-winning Perini Navi superyacht, Sybaris were on board their mothership at Quai Rainier III, turning heads and attracting compliments. The super-sleek 9.5m limousine tender that Cockwells had intended to exhibit there was snapped up even before they left Cornwall!

Its latest design concept for a 14.5m custom landing craft has captured the imagination of the international yachting media because it can either offer luxurious accommodation for 12 guests and two crew members or transport a Range Rover Sentinel from superyacht to shore.

“When it comes to handcrafting ultra-luxurious superyacht tenders of the highest possible calibre, Cockwells is the go-to brand,” adds Dave. “In Monaco we were asked to prepare quotes for a number of unique designs that are sublime in every detail and we have good reason to believe that we are in a strong position as the new year dawns.”

The Cornish company has already secured planning permission to transform a higgledy collection of sheds at its Mylor Creek Boatyard at Tregatreath into a purpose-built, low environmental HQ. This will enable office staff and all the trades – from electricians and engineers to carpenters and paint-finishers – to work together in a single, solar-powered space and provide a seamless service as they take on more and more commissions.

Cockwells has also invested in a three-axis CNC machine, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, to increase its production efficiency.

“Ongoing yacht maintenance, emergency breakdown recovery, servicing, repairs, restyling and restoration are also part of the Cockwells story,” says Dave. “We take great pride in offering superyacht industry standard services to local boating enthusiasts at an affordable price. Our investment in new facilities is enabling us to expand this side of the business as well as create more jobs for local people. If you are a boatbuilder, a laminator, a tradesman, a good all-rounder, or someone with strong project management skills, we would like to hear from you.”