Cox's Boatyard

20/08/2026

It’s all happening on Barton Broad!

Barton Broad is set to become the focus of Broads sailing over the next few weeks.

Starting this weekend with the 2026 Punt National Championships.

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Norfolk Punt Club this event is expected to attract the great and good of the class to help celebrate this auspicious occasion. In the world of dinghy sailing there are few if any other classes that can boast such an illustrious history.

This years championships are set to involve 20+ boats some approaching 100 years old others almost brand new and with a sophisticated handicap system it could be anyones year.

The following weekend is the Barton Regatta topped off a week later by the Broadlands Youth Regatta.

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14/08/2026

Big outboards - 20-30hp upwards - are expensive pieces of equipment and have a vital role to play on the transom of your boat.

Whilst many outboards are simply fired up and power the boat along at a regular 3-6 mph (Broads speed limit) others such as rescue boats/RIBs may only spend one or two days a week (weekends) in use then 90% of their time at 5/6 mph and the rest ‘flat out’ to attend a rescue! To complicate matters further every day could be with a different ‘driver’!

‘Big’ outboards are not uncommon on the Broads, but they often have a rather different role to the smaller outboards and subsequently have to be treated appropriately.

A few simple ‘tips’ are agreed by all the major manufacturers including Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Mercury to ensure your engine performs as it should and delivers stress free cruising.

Maintaining the recommended service schedule is top of everyone pile, manufacturers and specialists alike, combined with a few simple maintenance tips such as checking for any damage, flushing through if used in saltwater, spotting any wear and tear, checking fluid levels and keeping an eye on the all-important cooling system ‘tell-tale’.

So, what is the ‘tell-tale”?

The tell-tale on an outboard is a small, visible stream of water that squirts out of a small port on the side or back of the engine. It acts as a safety check to show that the water pump is working and cooling the engine properly.

This is a vital engine component that all users can and should check for themselves.

Check your tell-tale stream regularly and save a potentially expensive engine repair.

It seems to be a well known fact that the less an outboard is used, the more problems it may encounter.

Outboards love to be used!

If your ‘tell-tale’ stream is weak, intermittent or non-existent, or your outboard needs a service - call Cox’s!

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29/07/2026

Varnishing is possibly one of the most challenging tasks for boat owners and builders alike.

It is something that can make all the difference to the look of almost any wooden boat.

The word ‘envy’ and ‘varnish work’ go hand in hand in the boat world!

The skills required for producing superb ‘glass like’ varnish work are manyfold and include surface preparation, choice of materials, application conditions and enormous amounts of patience topped off by the appropriate skill set.

The one thing you can guarantee with varnish work is that everyone you speak to will not only have their preferences but swear by the fact that there is nothing to touch it!

Whatever product is used, pretty much everyone agrees that the secret to a ‘successful’ outcome is preparation.

Varnishing is primarily about protecting the substrate from environmental degradation with a secondary bonus of bringing out the grain structure to deliver an often amazing finish.

Many of the classic boats the Cox’s team work on are extremely old and indicate numerous coatings over the years have delivered excellent protection over the decades negating the need to take back to bare wood.

If your craft could benefit from a degree of TLC above or below the waterline please contact the Cox’s office.

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17/07/2026

Boat trailers are one of essential pieces of equipment that are all too often forgotten about.

Used a few times a year, then parked up somewhere until it is needed at the end of the year!

Even those who use their trailers regularly are prone to overlook their equipment, just hooking up as and when needed.

Regardless of size pretty much any trailer can be split down into key component parts - Coupling, wheels, tyres and bearings, chassis structure, brakes and supports (rollers or bunk), axles and suspension units.

The NTTA (National Trailer and Towing Association) is a good source of information regarding looking after your trailer and even more important, the legal side of towing and correct towing weights.

At Cox’s Boatyard we look after numerous trailers, from those that are in regular use (including our own!) to those that only come into play twice a year.

If your trailer requires any work, contact Cox’s Boatyard to discuss.

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11/07/2026

Taking care of the environment

During this warm weather aquatic plants grow more vigorously due to favourable temperatures and growing conditions.

However, plant growth in certain areas can severely impact upon the navigation and environment and therefore needs to be managed to offer safe navigation and boat operation in marina areas.

Removal of aquatic plants helps to create and maintain a beneficial habitats for aquatic wildlife and fish by enhancing water circulation, quality and aesthetics.

The Truxor amphibious joystick controlled track machine is a regular visitor to Barton Turf and makes light work of the task.

Making light work of the job and ensuring safe navigation of the marina complex and access channels, the joy stick controlled track machine cuts the weeds and lillies and deposits the cuttings on the bank for additional wildlife habitat and eventual decomposition.

With a considerable number and variety of wildlife calling Cox’s Marina ‘home’ this annual process also creates and maintains a healthy habitat and water quality for our regular visitors above and below the water.

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02/07/2026

02/07/2026

We are hiring.

25/06/2026

The gorgeous Narica, a Bourne 40 motor cruiser, was at Cox’s Boatyard for new heads.

Given the confined space most boat bathrooms occupy, very careful design consideration had to be given to the layout, usage, integrated storage and materials if it is to serve its owners well.

Considerable advances have been made in marine plumbing and toilet hardware over the past 40 years since Narica was built and these advances have meant a complete rethink was in order for both the forward and mid heads.

Having stripped out the original 80s bathroom, the Cox’s team set about redesigning the whole area with the customer which was a task in itself given the shape and volume of the internal space.

The design process started by making a custom mould to lay up the moulding which occupied the entire floor space ensuring a 100% watertight ‘wet room’.

The custom floor moulding incorporated a shower tray and removable teak grate and floor cover to match the remainder of the new internal installation.

The craftsmanship is exquisite and speaks for itself.

If you would like to discuss any customisation on your boat, please contact the team at Cox’s Boatyard.

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11/06/2026

Clean Sweep

A classic 70s/80s Broom Saturn runabout has left Cox’s Boatyard after more than a little TLC.

The new stunning paint finish required the team to remove all deck fittings screen etc before sanding, filling and fairing prior to the painting progress.

A barrier coat was followed by epoxy undercoats and top coats to the deck areas. The hull was cleaned, waxed and antifouled, before the entire boat was machine polished.

With the engine removed for servicing and to allow better access for the paint team the job was completed and tested afloat before being returned to the customer.

New cockpit and engine covers in matching maroon completed the ensemble.

Could your boat do with a makeover?

Contact the team at Cox’s Boatyard at Barton Turf to discuss the options.

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