Suffolk Yacht Harbour on the River Orwell has opened a new workshop that increases the yard’s indoor floorspace from 4,800 sq ft to 7,500 sq ft.

The new boat shed features large, high opening doors to give access to vessels up 70ft LOA, seperate workshop, joinery shop and spray shop, which is fitted with flash-proof light fittings to keep paint out of the lights and ignition systems. Each area has dedicated heating, extraction and ventilation systems. Efficient new compressors and air tools with overhead airlines service all parts of the building.

The new building, means that Suffolk Yacht Harbour can now offer its services to more clients, handle bigger boats, improve turnaround times by around 30 per cent and maintain competitive pricing. The yard specialises in osmosis rectification and sprayed hull finishes (using West System epoxy, Awlgrip and Copper Coat) as well as repair, refit, restoration and joinery work. The team of shipwrights, engineers, fitters and painters is now undertaking more work on wooden classics and modern GRP boats (power and sail).

Managing director Jonathan Dyke, who is a keen sailor and owner of the Robert Clark-designed classic Cereste, said:

‘Over the years, we have worked on thousands of boats. We average 20 significant refits a year, as well as 20 repaints and 10 teak deck replacements or refurbishments a year. No job is too small and SYH works with owners assisting them on parts of their refit schedules that they do not feel comfortable doing themselves. Now SYH’s new workshop offers extra capacity and a modern centre of excellence that is unrivalled on the East Coast.’

Suffolk Yacht Harbour is an independent marina situated on the River Orwell and near Levington in Suffolk. It has 550 berths, extensive on-shore boat storage, travel hoists for up to 75 tonnes and a chandlery shop.

Specialist on-site marine businesses include the East Anglian Sailing School, Rig Magic, OneSails, Brown and Overbury yacht surveyors, Mr. Stainless (stainless steel fabrications), Clarke and Carter yacht brokers, French Marine engineers and R&J Marine Electronics.

The Haven Ports Yacht Club operates from its converted lightship base in SYH and SYH runs a well-attended annual Classic Yacht Regatta.