It’s a family affair as boatyard expands

The works commenced with extensive dredging of the marina basin to improve depth and access in all tidal conditions.

Davis’s Boatyard was established in 1964 by the grandfather of the four family members who comprise half the current workforce. Seeking to work with other local family run businesses whenever possible, a decision was taken to use another Poole based family run business, contractors Jenkins Marine, Fareham based pontoon specialists Walcon Marine, and the family run Steve Barnes Electrical, based in Ferndown.

Jenkins Marine was tasked with the removal of the old pontoon and piles, dredging of the marina basin and the installation of new piles. These works involved the deployment of a range of Jenkins’ vessels, including Doreen Dorward, Buffalo, Stour, Beaver, JML60 and JML35.

Walcon Marine then installed a System 21 pontoon featuring a galvanised steel frame, hardwood deck, fibre concrete floats, and an all welded steel structure with heavy duty channel on all walkways.

The new pontoon will boast 82 berths with extended finger lengths up to 8.5m, and wider berths to accommodate a beam of up to 3.7m. Each berth will have individual metered electricity

sockets and free access to fresh water. Berth holders also have exclusive access to a luxury toilet/shower block and a range of other benefits, including 25% off all craneage.

The Davis family see the new development fitting in nicely with the introduction of the long-term PHC port master plan to develop business in the harbour for the future. Brothers Lance and Dean Murdoch started learning the family business last year following the retirement of their Aunt and Uncle. This latest investment demonstrates the continuing commitment of a next generation to taking Davis’s Boatyard into the future as a trusted and respected name in Poole Harbour.