About Me.

If you’re reading this it’s likely because I’ve handed you a business card. To contact me it’s always best to just ring me on 07883 032 300. alternatively do please send me an email: sebvandenbogaerde@outlook.com

I got into boats by accident fourteen years ago. We purchased the hulk of an old steel harbour tug with the aim of living on it. This stupid decision changed my life, and after several years out of the water and a complete rebuild I was indocrinated the hard way. When I say complete rebuild that’s just what I mean, an acquaintance once remarked that I’d bought more history than boat and he was not wrong. The tug is a historic vessel, and most of her went directly into the skip. Like the philosophers axe, she has an entirely new hull beneath the waterline and a few new frames for good measure.

So we employed welders, and I learned from them. I was especially lucky to be mentored by one. I went on to work on a Thames boatyard plating and repairing, as well as almost accidentally leading a huge new build, in spite of being very much in at the deep end. I also worked at sea on commercial tugs, learning all about the contact sport that is towage, and of course the demands of constant repair and maintenance, so my welding and fabrication skills came in quite handy .

If you’re interested, there’s a blog all about the huge task that was rebuilding our tug, which you can find at thevoyageofwendyann2.blogspot.com

Then some years ago I retrained, studying WOODEN boatbuilding at IBTC Portsmouth, because I like a challenge. Turns out I really enjoy it and people tell me I’m good at it. Wooden boatbuilding is very different to steel, and has a living quality.

I graduated in spring 2018 with distinctions. Since then I’ve been really lucky and have led two big restorations and been a team member in another. We won the Classic Boat magazine ‘best powered vessel restoration’ award for our work with the National Trust to rebuild Nancy Astor’s canoe ‘Liddesdale’ and my team and I successfully launched the 1911 built yacht ‘Planta Genesta’ after a comprehensive rebuild in 2020.

Boat work and boatbuilding immerses me in activity and stretches my inquiring mind.