A FAMILY BUSINESS WITH A LONG HISTORY IN CHERTSEY
If you have a walk along the River Thames between Kingston and Weybridge on the second weekend in September, you will see a magical flotilla of Dunkirk Little Ships. These beautiful historic boats make this journey annually, an event designed to bring veterans and those ships which saved their lives in 1940 together. In more recent years, the veteran’s Cruise has been expanded further to include veterans of more recent conflicts. As of 2021, the cruise will embark from Penton Hook with thoughts that Chertsey will be the new base for this wonderful event.
The beauty and craftsmanship of these vessels is admired by many and we are fortunate enough to have a business in Chertsey, Dennett Boat Builders, which specialise in the restoration of traditional wooden and historical vessels, and they have indeed restored and maintained many of the Dunkirk Little Ships which grace our river.
Craftsmanship, quality and beauty is the hallmark of a Dennett restored craft. Priding ourselves on the good name which we have built up for over 60 years, we use time honoured techniques, passed from father to son, to restore historic vessels’
(www.dennettboatbuilders.co.uk)
Dennett Boat Builders have been based in Chertsey since the 1980s when Stephen Dennett and his Father Michael acquired their yard, prior to this Michael worked out of the back of a van on private jobs after learning his trade from the age of 15 working at numerous yard up and down the local reaches of the Thames, most notably learning his trade on 72ft MTBs for the Royal Navy.
Today, it is with great pride that the work carried out by Stephen and his team, is not just noticed locally but nationally and globally with clients from Europe and the States. The publication ‘Classic Boat’ which celebrates the world’s most beautiful classic yachts and traditionally designed vessels, have approached Dennetts regarding their restoration of Makaira / RFC 113, a Dunkirk Little Ship found as recently as 2012 in a field barely recognisable after many modifications.
Having been completely rebuilt here in Chertsey, she is now up for the prestigious Classic Boat Award, Best Restoration of a Power Boat, a great honour to be recognised regardless if she wins or not.
We are lucky in the borough to have such a long standing local based business serving to preserve this nations maritime history.
Follow us on social media to see our latest projects including Queen Elizabeth’s Jolly Boat used on the Royal Yacht Britannia.
If you would like to help see Makaira win, please help by casting a vote at the classic Boat Awards 2021