Quality Control begins at the source.

Historically boatbuilders would always store and saw the wood they required on site. This meant that timber would be kept in the round until required and then the ideal timber with the correct grain for the job would be selected and sawn to size. The natural grain of the wood matched the contour of the vessel.

Learning from this tradition and with the support from Working Woodlands, Cockwells has invested in a Forrester 150 sawmill, which is capable of cutting 1.5-meter diameter lumber with a standard length of up to 15 meters.

Dave Cockwell now personally sources all the timbers used in the yard, both locally in Cornwall and further afield such as in the Borders of Scotland. Timber is selected in both rounds and standing trees and transported to our farm in Cornwall where it is seasoned until ready for use.

Scottish Boatskin Larch and English Oak bends and butts are stored ready for selection for planking, keels and frames. This old fashioned approach not only enables us to guarantee the quality of our raw materials but also allows us to select and work with the perfect timbers for the job ensuring that our wooden boats will last several generations.

Cockwells is also a timber supplier to other boatbuilders and amateurs alike both locally and further afield.

Click on an image below to see some pictures of our Saw Mill in operation.

Grown curves from the boughs of oak trees, which will be selected for framing stock.

Cutting oak bends on the saw to be used as frames on our St.Mawes Passenger Ferry.

Larch Planking stock

A Larch log on the saw, being converted to planking stock.