By Mary Booth
If you have walked along the Thames between Sunbury and Shepperton on the second weekend in September in recent years, you may have seen the flotilla of Dunkirk Little Ships. These beautiful historic boats make this journey every year in an event designed to bring together veterans and those ships which saved their lives in 1940. In more recent years, the veterans Cruise has been expanded to include veterans of more recent conflicts. As from 2021 there is a change and the cruise will embark from Penton Hook. We will miss seeing it at Sunbury for sure. The beauty and craftsmanship of these vessels is admired by many. Having lost Wilson’s boatyard some years ago, we are lucky to have another traditional boat builder locally, using some very traditional methods. Dennett Boat Builders (www.dennettboatbuilders.co.uk)
specialises 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. With over 60 years experience, they use time honoured techniques, passed from father to son, to restore historic vessels.
Dennett Boat Builders have been based in Laleham Reach since the 1980’s 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 having learned his trade from the age of 15 working at numerous yards up and down the local reaches of the Thames. A notable craft he worked on was a 72ft MTB’s 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 worlds 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 at Dennetts, Makaira (see below) is now up for a prestigious Classic Boat Award – Best Restoration of a Power Boat.
“It is a great honour to be recognised regard-less if she wins or not” says Stephen. It is quite something to have such a long standing traditional local based business playing such a role in maintaining the nations maritime history.
Follow: Dennetts on Facebook and Instagram to see their latest project which include a Jolly Boat used on the Royal Yacht Britannia.