Dolphin Boatyard
Dolphin Boatyard
Dolphin Boatyard is found at the head of Galmpton Creek, three miles upriver from Dartmouth.
The yard provides storage and workspace for leisure and commercial vessels displacing up to 65 tonnes and drawing up to 2.5m. Much of the boat storage area is in former quarries where the quarry walls provide shelter from winter storms. The 30 acre waterside site, which is heavily wooded, provides tranquillity just a few yards away from the hubbub of a busy working boatyard.
Ships have been built on Galmpton Creek since Tudor times. From 1824 when the Gibbs family were building fishing boats there has been a continuous history of boat and shipbuilding on the site. Trawlers and smacks were built for the fleets of Brixham, Ramsgate and Lowestoft. During wartime the yard was fully employed building light naval craft.
Dolphin Boatyard Ltd, which took on ownership and operation of the yard from MDL in March 2023 is the latest incarnation of that long tradition.
Lifting & Storage
Boats are lifted from the purpose-built dock (60 tonne hoist) or on the slipway (20 tonne tractor hoist).
Galmpton Creek dries 2.1m so deep draft boats are lifted at spring tides, 2 hours either side of high water.
Vessels are stored in the 7-acre dry boat storage area which currently has space for over 300 boats. The majority of the storage for larger boats is in the three main quarries with smaller vessels and trailers spread around the remainder of the site.
Limited undercover storage is available and clients are able to construct temporary structures when needed for repair and refit work.
On Site Facilities
The boatyard can be accessed by clients 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
Vehicle access is controlled by an automatic barrier and the site is monitored by CCTV.
Staff are on site to assist you during normal working hours, at weekends and on the majority of bank holidays.
Car parking is available on-site both inside and outside the barrier and both client and contractor vehicles can access boat storage areas.
There are a number of secure storage containers that can be hired by clients.
OTHER SERVICES
Dolphin Boatyard staff provide key operational services covering all boat movements and the management, administration and repair of yard infrastructure. Technical services for boat owners are provided by tenants and independent contractors who work on site.
As well as storage ashore Dolphin Boatyard can offer a limited number of drying pontoon berths and drying moorings in the vicinity of Galmpton Creek.
Clients are able to work on their boats themselves or use their own contractors.
Commercial refit work is welcome and is normally accommodated in the main quarry