Dennett Boat Builders

18/09/2026

ARETHUSA: Back on!🪵 We paused our restoration of this 100 year old, 40ft Umpire Launch during the spring rush as we needed to get other boats in the work shop. But we’re back and full steam ahead fitting the integral engine beds that will give this long skinny boat the structure and stability it needs.

It’s always an honour to watch Michael, the master of boat building, doing what he does best. And if anyone can bring this boat back to life and restore it to its former glory, it’s the man the myth the legend, Mr Dennett 💙

Stay tuned to see how we progress and click the linked reel to see where we started!

06/09/2026

THE YARD JOURNAL: Recently at Dennett’s 🗞️
DLS Reda is back in the slipway!

AJ stripping Dunkirk Little Ship Reda’s hull (previously known for a time as Janthea) ready for a full redo!🔥

Elliott Dennett spending his summer holidays helping out around the yard… Including finding the perfect piece of wood for specific projects 🔍

After the Spring/Summer rush, Michael’s back working on restoring Arethusa; a 120 year old Umpire Launch 🔨

Meet our newest Apprentice, Archie! He’s getting on amazingly well, he’s working 3 weeks a month here at the yard and 1 at college 📝

A look inside DLS Reda’s very empty hull, ready for a new beam shelf and deck beams ⏳

Humble is having the ultimate, complete varnish work done by Glenn & John 🖌️

DLS Hilfranor nearly stripped and ready for a rotten-plank inspection 🥸

Archie’s done the entire hull by himself!🏆

Touché the SuperSwordsman sitting pretty ready waiting to be stripped too ⚔️

A rare sight: a plastic boat at Dennett’s! A not-so-rare sight: Elliott Dennett learning the tricks of the trade from his Dad!

From the journey to St Katharine Docks Marina yesterday (5th Sept), ’s crew aboard Heather Dennett’s Dunkirk Little Ship, Gay Venture ⛵️

01/09/2026

TWO BOATS OUT = Two new projects starting!⚒️ They both need quite a considerable amount of repair work before they’ll be ready to go back in the water (we estimate in the Spring) but we’re going to take you along with us so you can see how we do it ✅

DLS Hilfranor is currently having all her paintwork stripped, including the antifoul, so we can fully assess which and how many planks may need replacing before we repaint 👨🏻‍🎨 Then we’ll be starting the same stripping process on Touché this week too!

Stay tuned to see how these projects unfold and follow the process of how we get them back to good as new ✨

13/08/2026

PROJECT UPDATE: From the river aboard the recently restored StarCraft Enterprise 🤩 It’s getting a bit full out here with new boats arriving for both small and much larger repairs.

It shouldn’t be long now until Damapura is ready to go back to her new owners and although Star Craft Enterprise has been here significantly longer, due to the extensive work in replacing an entire double skinned hull, she too will be leaving soon!👋🏼

As you can probably tell, Steve’s very much looking forward to starting work on Touché, the Fairey Super Swordsman. But he may be even more excited for the speed-test once it’s all done!🛥️💨 We’ll be sure to update you when the work commences as well as show you that amazing engine! Thinking of all our fellow boat builders in the heat this week too!🥵

03/08/2026

PHOTOS FROM FRIDAY 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🌤️👉🏼 (The Dunkirk Little Ship Summer Cruise)

Maimonde setting off 👋🏼

A very happy Andrew aboard Dianthus 😁

Lady Lou & Papillon at Weybridge Mariners ⛵️

Aureol, Papillon & Lady Lou at Teddington Lock 🔒

Papillon, Quisisana, Guide of Dunkirk & Riis 1 St Katharine Docks Marina 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

A very shiny Quisisana ✨

Gay Venture & Quisisana 🥰

Quisisana & Dianthus coming into Richmond Lock 💚

Riis 1, Nyula & Leigh Endeavour waiting for us at St Katharine Docks Marina ❤️‍🔥

Maimonde & Dianthus ❤️

Last bit of shade before setting off for Gay Venture 🌅

Aureol moored at St Katharine Docks Marina 💙

Guide of Dunkirk ft Abbey Boat Builder & team 👋🏼

Gay Venture basking in the evening sun at St Katharine Docks Marina 🌞

The next generation of boat builders ✅

The beautiful Llanthony at St Katharine Docks Marina ❤️

Lady Lou & Papillon at Richmond Lock 😎

Gay Venture captured by Chiswick Pier Pictorial 📸

What a day!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Thank you to everyone who made it so special & we can’t wait for the next one in September 🌊

01/08/2026

On our way to St Katharine Docks yesterday!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Dunkirk Little Ship Gay Venture (1934) on the Thames today