Rolts Boatyard, home of the Bristol Classic Boat Company, have taken on two students of the International Yacht Restoration School in Rhode Island as apprentices
Patrick Killion on the left from New York City and Dylan Sofio from Los Angeles on the right are helping Mark Rolt and his team to replace various bits on a 1953 ketch built in Farnham. “At the end of their first year at the IYRS they are encouraged to go out and do at least 170 hours in a yard before starting on year 2,” says Mark. “And it’s the first time we’ve had anyone like this so it’s excellent!”
Mark
Recent projects at the yard include this beautiful classic Thames rowing skiff. Says Mark: “She came to us with the dream of returning her to her original composition. We removed the sliding thwarts and replaced them with static ones as well as new oarlocks, similar to how they would have been 100 years ago. 18 rotten frames were extracted and brand new ones were put back. The job was finished off with an oil and varnish inside and out to get Elizabeth looking quite gorgeous!”
See more at roltsboatyard.com