About the boatyard ....
Nick Gates & Co is a traditional workshop that specialises in wooden boat repair and restoration. Formed in 1999 by boatbuilder Nick Gates, the company offers a range of services from winter maintenance to major refits and restorations. The workshop maintains a wide range of craft, from Tideway dinghies to gentleman's motor launches and classic cruiser-racers.
Tessa, the yard dog
About Nick Gates ....
Nick Gates trained at the International Boatbuilding Training College in Lowestoft, Suffolk, from 1986-7 before joining the renowned Combes Boatyard in Bosham, West Sussex, in 1987. He remained with the yard until its closure in 1999, latterly working as slipway manager, and then set up Nick Gates & Co (formerly Southbourne Boatyard). In 2002 Nick presented Getting Afloat, a 15-part TV documentary series for Discovery Home & Leisure. When not working on customers' boats, Nick is restoring a 42ft Scottish motor zulu /fifie built in 1933 by Nobles of Fraserborough (see Ocean Pearl, under current projects). Nick is also a keen sailor, and races a 1952 12-Square-Metre Sharpie and SCOD.
All text & pictures on this website © Nick Gates/Vanessa Bird
No reproduction of images without prior permission
