Cockwells marked an exciting and successful year by hosting our annual Owners’ Rally, which took place between Friday 20 June and Sunday 22 June 2025.

The rally invited owners of Duchy Motor Launches and Hardy Motor Yachts to cruise from Ocean Village Marina in Southampton to Cowes and Bembridge on the Isle of Wight.

The fleet included five Duchy 35s, two Duchy 27s and six Hardy Motor Yachts ranging from 25ft to 62ft – including the Hardy 50DS and the all-new Hardy 45 European, both built by Cockwells. The fleet was also joined by Raymariner, the Hardy 42 that Raymarine UK deploys for testing and demonstrating its range of marine equipment.

The Cockwells Owners’ Rally 2025, sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston Specialist, was a delightful weekend with a fun, relaxed atmosphere in which all our guests enjoyed great company, amazing sunshine and delicious food, as well as taking pleasure in the joy of being out on the water together.

This year’s rally began at the iconic Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, where friends and clients enjoyed a sunny champagne reception sponsored by Raymarine UK, followed by a delicious Italian sharing feast at local Mediterranean restaurant Bacaro.

Each boat was presented with a Cockwells tote bag brimming with gifts, including a 2025 rally pennant, cap from Pendennis, a luxury sun care pack from headline sponsors Haven Knox-Johnston Specialists, Coastal Spritz cans from Pentire Drinks, a keyfloat from Anchoright,Yanmar duffel bag and a scented candle from St Eval.

After a sunny start the next morning, the fleet cruised down Southampton Water and across the Solent to Cowes, where their formation was captured on camera via drone photography and videography.

Dave Cockwell led the fleet on Lady Ella, our all-new Hardy 45 European. The ideal vessel for an at-sea adventure, this dependable yacht is equally at home on ocean passages as she is meandering the rivers and canals of Europe. Based on the classic Hardy 42 hull, renowned for its seakeeping capabilities, the Hardy 45 European effortlessly combines the robust design of the Hardy range with all the contemporary comforts and technologies of a modern motor yacht.

During their journey across the Solent, our Duchy and Hardy motor yachts displayed the exceptional seaworthiness and relaxed handling that they are renowned for, whilst being put them through their paces for their moment in front of the camera.

And with the help of the owners of one of our dependable Duchy fleet, our brave photographer Paul Wyeth was even able to make the daring manoeuvre between boats whilst out at sea, in order to capture some footage of the boats in action from a new angle.

Arriving at Shepards Marina in Cowes in the early afternoon to a marina moored with festival-goers, it was time to relax on deck, soak up the atmosphere and swap stories of the morning’s excursion with fellow rally guests.

Our evening event was supported by venue sponsors Yanmar, where guests were treated to a fine-dining dinner hosted by a private chef in the iconic Sir Max Aitken Museum, surrounded by a remarkable collection of historical maritime artefacts.

The fine weather continued into the final day of the rally as the fleet set sail bright and early to beautiful Bembridge Harbour, where a Cornish barbecue awaited them with sausages from Trevarthen butchers and drinks from Pentire and Tarquin’s Cornish Gin. A surprise quiz was hosted by Stephen Hills, Commercial Director at Pendennis, which had guests chuckling and scratching their heads in equal measure.

Finishing the rally on a high, our guests celebrated the highlights of the weekend with a final three-course meal at Bembridge Sailing Club, enjoying panoramic views over the peaceful harbour. After dinner, the awards ceremony ensued, with prizes for the winners of Concours d’Elegance, Best Dressed Overall and Adventurer of the Year awards.

We were also delighted to present Cowes Sailability with a donation of over £1000, donated by Cockwells and all those who participated in the rally. This important charity offers sailing and recreational boating opportunities for adults and children with physical disabilities, learning difficulties and debilitating long term conditions. They give disabled people renewed confidence in themselves, inspire them to live their lives to the full and leave them with incredible memories that they and their families will treasure.

Founder Dave Cockwell said: “It was our pleasure to welcome so many clients and guests, old and new, on this year’s Owners’ Rally. It was a brilliant, sunny weekend of cruising and socialising around the Solent and Isle of Wight, and it was a joy to see the fleet of Duchy and Hardy vessels cruising together once again.

“I would like to express my thanks to everyone who helped to make this rally one of the best so far – from all our guests who sailed with us to the hospitality and harbour teams at Ocean Village, Cowes and Bembridge, to our skilled event photographer, Paul Wyeth, and of course, the dedicated team at Cockwells for organising this wonderful event. A huge thank you must also go to our sponsors Haven Knox Johnston Specialist,Raymarine UK and Yanmar Marine, as well as Tarquin’s Cornish Gin , St Eval candles, Pentire Drinks, Anchoright and MDL Marinas, without whom the rally would not be possible.

“With our strong forward order book and ambitious plans for expansion, we look forward to building more bespoke leisure craft for many years to come, and to welcoming even more owners into the Cockwells family.”