How to find boat builders near me
Finding the best boat builders near you is easy with Checkatrade. All of our trade members are thoroughly checked and meet our high quality standards.
Enter your postcode into the search below and discover local Checkatrade approved boat builders. We take all of the hard work out of finding the best tradesperson for the job.
Short on time? Let us help! Enter your details into our quick request a quote form and our local boat builders will be in touch.
How do I make sure I hire the best boat manufacturers near me?
Check qualifications and experience
To stay safe at sea, you need a boat that has been professionally built to a high standard. Before committing to a boat builder, ask about their qualifications and previous experience.
Hiring a boat builder with engineering or marine manufacturing qualifications is a good idea. Also, boat builders who are members of The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology will have undertaken professional development training.
Ask a boat builder if you can see examples of their previous boat building and repairs projects. When you see their finished boats, you can form a better opinion of a tradesperson’s skill and craft.
Ask for recommendations
Find local boat builder recommendations by visiting your local sailing club or boat yard. Ask other sailors for the details of boat manufacturing and repairs services that they have used in the past.
Once you have a list of recommendations, use our search tool to check that the boat builders are Checkatrade-approved!
Read reviews
Read customer reviews to discover the reputation and work standards of local boat manufacturers and shipwrights. Honest reviews are a valuable tool to use during your search for the best boat repair and building services.
Enjoy total peace of mind when reading Checkatrade reviews. We make sure that all of our reviews are written by real people.
We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.
Find a reputable boat builder with Checkatrade
Using Checkatrade is a quick and easy way to find expert boat builders and repair services near you. We check all our members and only approve tradespeople who meet our high standards.
All boat builders in our directory have to pass up to 12 checks. We also guarantee the work of our tradespeople up to £1000.
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
Answering your boat builder questions
Can you build your own boat?
You don’t need to be a professional shipwright to build your own boat. DIY boat building kits are available to buy, including pre-cut materials and instruction manuals. Home made boats can also be manufactured completely from scratch.
Boat building can be challenging though, especially if you don’t have any previous engineering and construction experience. To make sure your boat is safe to use, consider hiring a professional boat builder near you.
What is the hardest part of building a boat?
The answer to this question depends on your skillset. Some people find measuring materials accurately to be a challenge, but others struggle with fitting the boat’s electrical parts. Building a boat can be time consuming, with many difficult steps needed to complete the process.
A professional boat builder can take all of this hard work off your hands! Expert boat builders have all the skills and knowledge needed make your dream boat a reality.
What do you call a wooden boat builder?
People who professionally manufacture boats out of wood and other materials are called boat builders. Other job titles used for this profession include shipwright and marine craftsperson.
The term boat builder is used when referring to people who build smaller boats, often with a focus on the interior design. A shipwright builds larger vessels and ships with a more complex structure.
What materials can you make a boat out of?
Modern boats are manufactured from a wide range of materials. Wood and fiberglass are popular choices for small, homemade boats. Large vessels tend to be made from steel.
Boats are can also be made using composite materials, carbon fibre, aluminium and various plastics. The type of material you need will depend on the style of boat you are building.
Are you ready to find Checkatrade-approved boat builders near you?