Marine Classics
A british boatbuilder making classically
styled
speedboats and launches. We combine elegant, classic lines with
the latest construction techniques.
Marine Classics started in 1985 doing repairs
and restoration on older wooden craft. Like this 100' ketch dating from
1896.

Since then we have done repair and restoration
work on many types of classic craft as well as new builds. Based on
this experience, our new boats are designed to
have an abundance of classic style - without the restoration, safety
and
maintenance problems of an old boat.
The 'Classic' range is
constructed from fine hardwoods, epoxy resin, Kevlar and carbon fibre
for strength and low maintenance.
This makes a high quality boat which has the
grace of a timeless classic, but the low upkeep of a modern boat.
Something which will have style and value in decades to come.
We will modify any of our standard range of
boats for any particular use or size. We will also custom make
any boat to your requirements up to around 26 feet.
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Design History
The origins of the ‘runabout’
style of boat begin around 1890-1910. Early pioneers were often
involved in racing or speed records. They built their own boats and
success brought requests from other people wanting to buy a boat from
them.
By the 1920’s some of these
enterprises had grown
to making hundreds of boats, examples are Gar Wood and Hacker Craft.
Later other companies such as Century, and Chris-Craft took this style
of boat to further levels of performance and elegance. Meanwhile in
europe
boatbuilders such as Brookes; and Boesch were building speedboats. Some
of these companies still make wood boats today. At the high end
of the market, wooden boats have never been replaced by
fibreglass as they have at the mass production end.
The rounded ‘barrelback’ stern
initially became popular in the 1930’s. Chris-Craft in particular
making several hundred; many of which still exist. (and change hands
for very many times their original price)
Riva have a long pedigree in
boatbuilding, and
in the 1950’s started producing perhaps the most elegant of all
runabouts. They reluctantly stopped making wooden boats in 1995 because
they were too expensive in labour compared to their more profitable
fibreglass range.
 
The introduction of modern
materials such as Epoxy
resin has transformed wooden boatbuilding. These materials increase the
strength and lifespan of boats, whilst reducing maintenance. Good
quality hardwoods encapsulated in epoxy resin can be made
immune to the old enemies of damp and rot, and modern coatings do
away with varnishing routines. Laminating space age materials such
as Kevlar and carbon fibre to wood gives an incredible strength and
impact resistance - much better than fibreglass.
At Marine Classics we take our
design cues from the finest examples of the past century, combined with
modern aerospace developed materials and construction techniques.
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Marine classics has valuable
experience of interior refits of several large yachts up to
150'.
Including - Benetti, Feadship, Broward, Codecasa, Jongert, Camper &
Nicolson etc. Our work is of the standard required on boats
costing
several millions.
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