Arion, a Swan 48, is a fairly tight fit it in the SYH paintshop. But the yard staff knew she could be squeezed in – because they did it last year!

Unfortunately, having had a complete topside respray last winter, in readiness for a summer of extended cruising,  she returned from her adventures looking a little the worse for wear.

With scratches down both sides, after taking the canal route during a Round Britain trip, and some anchor damage to the bow, it was decided that the only way to restore her elegant good looks was another complete topside respray.

Work is progressing on the creation of a new, extended stern for Gudgeon, the classic ketch which is being modified to enable her to carry a taller mizzen mast, with a longer boom.

A new horn timber has been fitted, and planking removed to create a “seamless” join to her new, smaller transom. The work is being carried out by SYH craftsmen Steve Martin and Robert Clark.

Laura is a canoe-sterned classic, celebrating her centenary, having been built in 1909. She originally carried a gaff rig, but was converted to sloop rig, probably in the 1950s. Now she is being restored to her original form.

We are putting a new wooden gaff rig in. The project will also involve new standing and running rigging from Rig Magic and new sails from Parker and Kay.

Alongside the work on older wooden boats, for which SYH is increasingly known, the yard is also busy with repairs and maintenance on newer GRP craft.

Currently in the workshop is the Moody 346 Raindance, which has been sandblasted, prior to the applications of three coats of VC epoxy tar and two coats of VC copper antifoul.

This “one off” copper treatment is attractive for boats making extended cruises. It works most effectively on yachts which are on the move all the time, and minimises maintenance requirements.

Meanwhile two yachts are currently waiting outside the paintshop for osmosis treatments. We have got a lot of work coming in and we appeal to those wanting work done on their boats this winter to talk to us as early as possible.

Work on the long term project to restore the 1919 Norwegian classic yacht Martha V has been suspended for the winter, to free space in the workshop for more urgent work. But progress on tracing the history of the boat continues.

“We have found that she is a Seven Metre – a very, very rare beast!” said Jonathan Dyke.

“People know about Six, Eight and 12 Metres, but not many have heard of Seven Metres.

We have spoken to Det Norske Veritas – the Norwegian equivalent of Lloyds – and they have found her original registration, and confirmed that she is a Seven Metre class yacht.”

Sea Marge is a traditional fishing boat which has been converted for pleasure use. A section of her planking is currently being renewed.