Cornish Boat Builder acquires Hardy Marine in ongoing expansion

Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding has acquired Hardy Marine with plans of further expanding the award-winning Cornish company.

Hardy Marine is a renowned boat building company based in Norfolk. It has a well-earned reputation for engineering high-quality, all-weather motor boats, which are excellently engineered to endure all conditions whilst still upkeeping its elegant interiors.

From its purpose-built environmentally conscious, headquarters at Mylor Creek near Falmouth, Cockwells has built a reputation for building bespoke boats, from ultra-luxurious superyachts to traditional sailing yachts.

Cockwells is also the proud owner of Duchy Motor Launches, which is well known for building prestigious classic boat designs ranging from six to 18 metres (21 to 60 feet), with the option of limitless customisations to create the perfect luxurious cruising environment. In addition, Cockwells’ Mylor Creek boatyard is equipped to offer restorations, refits and engineering services for superyacht tenders and local yachts.

Dave Cockwell, founder and managing director at Cockwells, explained, “Both Cockwells and Hardy are committed to building exceptional motor boats that deliver style, reliability, customisation and all the advantages that technological advances can supply.”

Since Duchy 27 launched in 2011, Cockwells has built 32 Duchy Motor Launches with demand continuing to outstrip supply. Cockwells plans to continue in this pace with the Hardy 32 to 65 range and increasing demand for these trawler yachts. The Duchy 35 and the Hardy 65 are past winners of Motor Boat & Yachting Awards.

Cockwells’ purchase of Hardy Marine will also create more jobs, since already operating in two sites has increased the employee headcount from 30 to 80 in the past few years. Julian Weatherill from Hardy Marine has been appointed as sales manager to sustain the personality and quality of the brand.

Weatherill noted, “Having worked with Hardy clients and owners for the last few years, I am passionate about the brand and know that this new alliance will propel it forward. I am equally delighted to be working with the Cockwells team to drive the sales trajectory of its highly-prized Duchy Motor Launches.”

The purchase of Hardy Marine by Cockwells has only been made possible by the funding from Business Investment for Growth (BIG), which has been financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered by the Cornwall Development Company. This £3.15 million (c. €3.5 million) investment fund aims to create 175 skilled jobs in Cornwall.

For more information, visit Cockwells Modern & Classic Boat Building. Sign up to our newsletter to get the best of Yachting Pages delivered direct to your inbox every month.