The British superyacht yard with world-class refit and custom-build facilities in Cornwall – better known as Pendennis – are now into their third refit season at its second location in Barcelona’s Vilanova Grand Marina – perfect for post-transatlantic touch-ups.
After 33 years in Falmouth, Cornwall, the yard is offered as the UK’s premier superyacht facility, with dry docking, covered building halls and a large non-tidal basin. Commanding the western approaches to the English Channel and sitting at the mouth of Europe’s largest deep-water estuary, Pendennis delivers large, complex refits and restorations and is also ideally situated for light refit work on superyachts, especially those completing an Atlantic crossing. The full facilities shipyard in the beautiful surroundings of Cornwall make it simple for skippers to stop over for a scrub or a repaint before continuing on their way. It is the crossroads of northern Europe’s seaways, en route for vessels heading up to Scandinavia and the Baltic, south towards the Mediterranean or west for the Atlantic.
Of course, geography is not the only reason that Pendennis should be the first port of call for yachts in need of a spruce-up. More than 30 years of experience working with some of the world’s most iconic superyachts is also a key attraction. Names such as Adix, Taramber, Hemisphere, Aquila, G2 and Lionheart all speak for themselves. The in-house expertise rivals that of any yard in the world.
And now with a second location at Vilanova Grand Marina in Barcelona, Pendennis can also serve superyachts based in the western Med. The Technical Service Centre there offers a huge area of flexible yard space, rich contacts among the numerous local superyacht service outfits and the ability to move experts back and forth from Falmouth as required. Here, clients can self-manage or use Pendennis’s team of in-house trades and craftspeople, many of whom have years of experience through Pendennis in Falmouth.
“The Pendennis facilities in Falmouth and Vilanova both provide an ideal ‘short stay’ opportunity with technical support which can be in or out of the water – depending on the individual yacht’s requirements,” says joint managing director Toby Allies. “At each site there is very clear communication with one point of contact to control and manage the scope of works in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. This allows yachts to get under way as soon as possible to enjoy the cruising grounds of the Mediterranean or northern Europe.”
Here are just some of the superyachts that have benefitted from using Pendennis’s facilities:
Twilight
Facility: Vilanova, Barcelona
Type: Oyster 125
LOA: 38.14m
Route: Mataro to Vilanova
Distance: 30nm
Time in yard: Five days
Services used: vessel towed to yard, hauled out, shaft removed and cutlass bearings renewed, and recommission inclusive of assistance to the vessel to complete some outstanding Lloyd’s issues
Captain Kathy Pennington: “In my professional career to date I have not received such excellent service from any shipyard/ marina. What you and your team have developed at Pendennis Vilanova is the correct step forward for yachting shipyards and without question the right step forward for Twilight.”
Mariette
Facility: Falmouth, UK
Type: Twin-masted schooner
LOA: 42.06m
Route: Cote d’Azur to Falmouth
Distance: 1,780nm
Time in yard: Four weeks
Services used: renewing the antifoul paint and anodes, and then servicing the propellers and other engineering gear
Skipper Charlie Wroe: “Mariette has used Pendennis for all its shipyard works since 2008. That long-term working relationship, coupled with the yard’s location at the gateway to Northern Europe, is why Mariette keeps returning to Pendennis.”
Adela
Facility: Falmouth, UK
Type: Twin-masted schooner
LOA: 55.11m
Route: Antigua to Falmouth
Distance: 3,370nm
Time in yard: Eight weeks
Services used: Haul out for five-year Lloyd’s survey. We had the bottom antifouled, some electric and engineering work completed, carpentry services and fabrication
Captain Greg Perkins: “After many years of going to Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth, I find their facilities to be excellent, all services are in-house and of a high standard and the yard is located in a stunning part of England.”
Globas
Facility: Falmouth, UK
Type: Sanlorenzo 460EXP
LOA: 42.2m
Route: Antigua-Falmouth
Distanced sailed: 3,370nm
Time in yard: Four weeks
Services used: haul out for third-party warranty items, including welding, pipework and paintwork.
Skipper James Johnson: “We chose Pendennis due to the location as we were planning on heading to Norway. We needed a lot of work completed in a short space of time due to the pandemic, and they met all of our needs, completing all items and getting the boat back under way on time. This was a real credit to the Pendennis team and good project management.”
Farfalla
Facility: Falmouth, UK
Type: Southern Wind 102
LOA: 31.78m
Route: Antigua to Vilanova
Distance sailed: 3,700nm
Time in yard: Six to eight weeks
Services used: haul and launch, antifoul paint touch-ups, electrical repairs, teak repairs, varnishing, plumbing, container storage and berthing
Captain Richard Chadburn: “Our experience in Vilanova has been very positive and we’ve found the yard to be flexible with us in trying to get our work done. The yard staff are all very welcoming and Tyrone in particular is great to deal with and always looks for the best outcomes. We’ll happily come back, in fact we just have, to complete our five-year rig survey.”
Pendennis has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of superyacht services, from large scale refits and restorations to short haul-outs and pit stops. Now with two dedicated locations in both the UK and Mediterranean as well as an in-house team of 450 highly skilled tradespeople and support staff, Pendennis is perfectly placed to assist the global superyacht fleet. To discuss a refit project, contact the yard directly here.
Sponsored content created for Pendennis.