The River Deben is certainly well off with a large number of boatyards, and most are not purely for lay up but have a capacity to build and restore wooden craft. GRP owners are catered for with similar overhaul/refit services in their mixes too.

At the head of the navigable Deben River, the Larkman’s Yard has changed hands very recently. The news item below tells all, including a name change too.

See: Larkman’s Boatyard acquisition completed in Suffolk

The yard was founded by the Larkman family in 1959 at another site before relocating to the current site immediately above the Melton Boat Yard in 1966. I have always found it strange that these two yards should be right on top of another and why the Melton Yard didn’t buy up the land years ago, or even when it came on the market recently?

The Larkman’s Yard did not and in its new guise still does not have any slipway access to the river. Vessels are literally craned ashore over the sea wall from a waiting pontoon alongside the sea wall bank. This does not seem to have restricted the concern from thriving. Its core business has been lay-up services and repairs. The name of the yard has been changed too – it is now The Deben Boat Yard!

See: DEBEN BOAT YARD

I shall take a particular interest in these developments during the summer when on a river walk for sure. The walk along the river’s edge to Melton Bridge is interesting.

The old ‘Larkmans Yard’ in centre and to right with Melton Boat Yard to left as seen from water. Note pontoon beside seawall.

From the river’s entrance at Felixstowe Ferry, the yards roll by one by one. On the east coast (Thames Estuary), only the upper reach of the River Blackwater from the Hythe to The Fullbridge could challenge in numbers with its continuous run of boat yards.

All the yards along the River Deben’s banks have their own web sites with details of the services they provide. From the foot of the river, they are:

Felixstowe Ferry Boat yard – provides services as well as a self-help facility.

Waldingfield Yard (see below).

Martlesham Creek Boat Yard – moorings, storage and general repairs. Mainly a self-help yard with some houseboat moorings as well.

The Martlesham Creek Yard.

Woodbridge Boat Yard (Formally Everson’s) and Waldringfield Boat Yard formed a joint venture a while back – these are located on two separate sites, below Woodbridge Tide Mill and at the wharf in Waldringfield, on site of a disused cement works. Full services are offered including new build. Artist Claudia Myatt also operates from the Quay at Waldringfield.

Tide Mill Yacht Harbour’s yard – a marina with full services and a yard with repair shop.

Robertsons Yard – this has limited services these days and is best described as lay-up self help and houseboat facility. Many of the sheds have been converted for other unrelated business uses.

Melton Boat Yard including Granary Yacht Harbour – small marina and a yard with full services. This yard has a dedicated access across the railway line, as does The Deben Boat Yard.

Deben Boat Yard – as discussed above.

The Meton Yard’s Granary Marina.

There is another yard located within the Whisstocks old yard complex owned by the Sutton Hoo Longship Company where a replica of the Sutton Hoo ship is being built, but it has no dealings with the public. (I did a post about this vessel last autumn)

It is interesting to note that without exception, all the yards, ‘industry’ and villages are all on the ‘south’ bank of the river: the northern bank is open country/farm land and private estates.

All very interesting stuff!