The Company Avon Boating is based at a traditional boathouse in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon hiring a large fleet of rowing boats, punts, canoes, self-drive rowing boats and electric launches, and operating a fleet of classic wooden passenger vessels. The passenger vessel fleet comprises five wooden vessels dating between 1912 and 1933, all national historic registered vessels built in the same yard by Borwicks of Bowness, plus our oldest vessel, a teak launch built in 1898.

The firm is open to the public seasonally from late March to the end of October; out of season the core team of ten full-time staff remove the boats from the water and undertake the maintenance and repairs of the fleet.

Role 

We have a vacancy for a wooden boatbuilder to join our current boatbuilding team of two.

• You should ideally have your City & Guilds and be a recent graduate from one of the boatbuilding schools, or have worked closely with a time served boatbuilder
• Be able to demonstrate your knowledge and experience of the trade.
• A familiarity with more modern techniques and materials may be an advantage.
• Direction and training will be given, but you will be expected to be able to tackle many tasks using your own judgement of the techniques appropriate and good practice.

The type of jobs you will be required to undertake is reflected by the vessels the fleet, in particular the carvel built passenger vessels, clinker rowing boats, and flat bottomed punts.

It will include; 

• Repair and replacement of hull planking, floors, frames and steam-bent timbers, soles and sole bearers, in-whales, coverboards, decks, cabin sides and bulkheads, cabin roofs, seating,
• General fitting out, caulking, seaming, sanding, painting and varnishing.
• You will also be required to renew timber seats, gunnels, knees and floorboards on fibreglass rowing boats, as well as repair of minor hull damage.

We have a large fleet of electric vessels so you will also be introduced to electric-drive technology and may be sent on the BMET course at a later date. In the open season you will have additional duties and responsibilities.

These will include training for your MCA botmaster’s licence and working some days, and at least one at the weekend, as a skipper of one of the classic passenger vessels, plus supporting the day-to-day operations of the firm.

Terms 

The successful candidate is expected to become a key part of our small firm and play an important part in its future and success, including the opportunity for advancement. Pay is currently in the range of £14 to £17 per hour, plus private medical insurance.

The firm is wholly owned by the full-time staff and pay is supplemented by an annual dividend Enquiries Check out our website at www.avon-boating.co.uk 

Please contact the Managing Director and senior boatbuilder, Nick Birch (ex IBTC), for a preliminary chat or for further information at nick.b(at)avon-boating.co.uk, or 07779008390.