Shipwright & Carpentry Work

The man behind JWS, John Shaw, has a real passion for classic wooden sailing boats. He feels proud and privileged to have worked on classic boats of every type, size and age.

Traditional hand caulking and splining

This work ranges from removing old caulking and cleaning out seams to full re-caulking. It isn’t straightforward: done wrongly, it can make a boat sink once she’s launched. That happens when seams are cleaned out too deep, removing the plank angles and leaving them almost square.

A 2009/10 project had exactly this problem. The owner had cleaned out the seams himself and gone too deep. After a consultation we routed out and splined all the seams with clean timber, re-routing twice to restore the angles. See another splining project on a Sparkman & Stephens 36.

New planking and traditional clenching

This covers anything from one rotten plank to ten or more after impact damage on an insurance claim. We start by visiting the boat to assess the job and check whether any furniture needs removing to reach the plank ends or fastenings.

On one project, the owner thought there were just two rotten planks, because that was all he could see in the engine bay. Once we removed them, the rot had clearly spread to planks under the diesel tanks, so the engine, batteries and tanks all had to come out.

Traditional varnishing and spray varnish

A professional varnish or paint finish takes time and patience, but it’s worth it. A quality varnish finish on a wooden boat looks good, adds value and protects against the elements. We know every product we use and have years of experience spray varnishing hulls, superstructures, masts, booms and bowsprits. See our hand-varnished transom on a Grand Banks 46.

Hand painting topsides and superstructures

Traditional hand painting is one of the hardest finishes to get right. John trained at the world-famous classic boatbuilders McGruer & Co in Scotland, so we combine traditional skills with modern products. More on hand painting and varnishing.

New teak decks and teak deck refurbishment

We specialise in all things wood, including teak decks, from small repairs to brand-new installations. When we replace a deck, we:

Photograph the deck and all fixtures and fittings, above and below deck
Take precise measurements of all fittings
Cover all wooden flooring and furnishings below
Remove all fittings in the work area
Report any defective parts or fittings, with costs
Clean up all fittings from the work area
Supply all deck materials and adhesives
Prepare the deck area for the new deck
Fit the new deck
Refit all deck fittings using Sikaflex 291, then water test them once cured to make sure there are no leaks
Give the superstructure a full valet inside and out
Walk round the boat with you to make sure you’re happy
Give you the photos taken during the job

Teak has a limited lifespan, so we offer a free deck assessment. We’ll tell you whether your deck can be saved by re-caulking and sanding or is too far gone, and if so we’ll quote for a new one. We can price solid teak or maintenance-free alternatives (four different products at different price points) to suit your budget.

Watch our teak deck video and our woodwork video.

Bespoke fabrication and joinery

Need more storage, or want to make better use of an unused space? We can make and fit cupboards, cupboard fronts, drawers, storage boxes, magazine racks, tables, companionway steps and much more, in teak or another suitable wood of your choice. We’re happy to take on any woodwork, whether it’s a repair or something new.

Our shipwright and teak deck projects

Get a quote

Tell us about your boat and what needs doing. Call 02392 755 155, mobile 07803 616229, email info@jwsmarineservices.co.uk, or use our contact form. Photos help us give you an accurate estimate.