Our Heritage

In September 2024, Pendennis announced that they had taken a majority interest in Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding to deliver exciting future business plans. Cockwells build bespoke superyacht tenders, as well as motor launches and sailing yachts in the 25-60ft range. Their activity complements Pendennis' core group strategy and we are delighted to welcome Cockwells as the latest addition to the Pendennis Group.

In September 2023 Pendennis Vilanova served as the technical area for the 37th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta, we hosted the team bases and their AC40’s. The racing took place over four days between 14th-17th September. It was quite fitting that we were selected to assist with the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta, with it being the 5th anniversary of our investment in Vilanova with our local partners Copisa.

We were delighted to welcome the 350th apprentice to our yard in September of 2023. We were also thrilled to be listed at number 35 in the “Top 100 Apprentice Employers” by the Department of Education.

In May Pendennis won Best Rebuild at the 2023 World Superyacht Awards for classic motor yacht Marala. The judges recognised Pendennis’ meticulous period-conscious 2 and a half year rebuild of the 92-year-old classic motor yacht and considered her worthy of a Neptune award. This marks the seventh World Superyacht Award for Pendennis across New Build, Refit and Rebuild categories.

2023 was a big celebratory year for us – marking Pendennis’ 35th anniversary, 25 years of our apprenticeship scheme and the 5th anniversary of our investment in Vilanova. We celebrated amongst friends with a dinner in the prestigious Long Room at Lord's Cricket Ground - overlooking Lord's Media Centre which was built by Pendennis in 1999.

The Pendennis Group acquired Norfolk Interiors in 2021, manufacturers of fine joinery and luxury bespoke interiors. Norfolk Interiors have specialist capabilities in all aspects of luxury marine and high-end residential interiors, from full turnkey interiors to individual pieces. Establishing our own independent joinery division has enabled Pendennis to double our joinery workforce, meaning that major projects can be completed in-house.

In 2019 Pendennis celebrated three wins at the World Superyacht Awards. Vijonara won the best Sailing Yacht Award in the 30-59.9m category, G2 won best Refitted Yacht and Haida 1929 won best Rebuilt Yacht. G2 also won Best Refit at the International Superyacht Society Awards and Vijonara also won the ‘Best Exterior Styling Sailing Yacht’ award at the Boat International Design & Innovation Awards.

In 2019 Pendennis installed a new 800 tonne travel hoist at the Falmouth facility. Its predecessor was shipped to Vilanova giving the Technical Service Centre capability to haul out yachts of up to 620 tonne.

At the end of 2018 Pendennis announced a major investment into Vilanova Grand Marina, with plans to build a refit facility alongside the existing first-class marina close to Barcelona. Enhancing our offering to the superyacht fleet in the Mediterranean region, the Technical Service Centre opened to yachts in 2019.

Pendennis celebrated its 30th anniversary in style at the Monaco Yacht Show, with the first public showcase of our latest new build sailing yacht Vijonara and the Royal Air Force Red Arrows displaying in our honour on Thursday 27th September in front of the harbour at Port Hercule.

The extensive programme of works on the 86m motor yacht Aquila (ex. Cakewalk) was crowned 'Best Refit' at both the World Superyacht Awards and the International Superyacht Society Awards in 2017.

Recognised internationally as one of the industry's best marine apprenticeships, we were delighted to welcome the 200th apprentice to the yard in August 2017.

7,564m² enclosed non-tidal wet basin was christened as the 65m schooner Adix was launched into the facility following her winter refit.

In February 2013 work began on a substantial expansion of the Falmouth facility, which saw the creation of 2x90m and 1x45m marine-facing construction halls supported by a new 640 tonne travel hoist and additional shore based facilities including a expanded project offices, trade workshops and crew facilities.

Throughout 2013 Pendennis organised numerous local and industry events to celebrate our anniversary. We celebrated with all of our staff and their families during a party at the Princess Pavilions in Falmouth, with a gig race between Pendennis and Blue Flame apprentices organised on the same day. Pendennis also sponsored the Red Arrows who once again performed a spectacular display at the Monaco Yacht Show.

During her 16 months in the yard this Feadship was stripped back to her bare hull, extended by 5m over three decks and left the yard completely unrecognisable as her former self (ex. Masquerade of Sole). The project was named as Best Rebuild for both the World Superyacht Awards and International Superyacht Society Awards, 2013.

With a length overall of 44.2m (145ft) and a gross tonnage of just under 500, Hemisphere scooped the record as the world's largest luxury sailing catamaran, and won several international superyacht awards.

Pendennis opened a technical Refit office and workshop based in STP in central Palma to provide an international extension to the company's facilities and services. Targeting the port's large superyacht community, Pendennis Palma focuses on providing support to yachts looking for short works and running repairs.

As part of Pendennis' continual focus on improving and expanding our service offering, the company acquired Devonport Yachts in February 2010. Now rebranded as Pendennis Plus the Falmouth yard now has the expertise to undertake 60m+ custom build and refit projects.

Located in the centre of the Pendennis yard, the 'White House' was an invaluable addition to our range of flexible construction spaces, measuring 55m (L) x 17m (H) x 16m (W). The facility was replaced in 2014 by two 90m build halls and a further 45m hall.

Five days of superyacht racing organised by Pendennis took place in Falmouth for the first time. This was accompanied by a varied shoreside entertainment programme allowing Owners, captains, crew and our event sponsors to enjoy the delights of our home port of Falmouth. Details of the events to date can be found on the Pendennis Cup website.

In October 2006 the addition of a 400 tonne travel hoist allowed the yard to physically lift larger yachts out of the water, vastly increasing our refit capabilities. This was later upgraded to a 620 tonne hoist in 2014 and then an 800 tonne hoist in 2019.

In order to increase the yard's refit capacity, plans were developed to transform the substantial 150m long dock in to two 75m dry docks. In 2004, the new facilities - named 'The Terry Vernon Refit Complex' were opened.

A significant custom build project for the company in 1999 was Ilona, the first luxury motor yacht to be built at Pendennis. The 45m displacement cruising yacht featured a helicopter landing pad with refuelling capability, a fitness centre and a top deck spa bath.

In 1998 the first ten apprentices were taken on by Pendennis in a new scheme developed to produce specialised skilled labourers. The scheme was voted Best Large Company Apprenticeships by the Learning Skills Council.

On May 3rd 1993, the new management team formally took control of the yard with the contract to restore Adela marking their takeover. This classic 170' schooner was to become another award-winning project. The addition of a slipway was a turning point for Pendennis, and ultimately made life much simpler.

Pendennis' first contract in 1988 was to build the 125' ketch Taramber. A major refit of the 228' three-masted schooner Adix soon followed, establishing Pendennis as a world class yard. Both of these projects received awards on their launch in 1991 from ShowBoats magazine: Adix as 'Best Refit' and Taramber as 'Best Sailing Yacht over 35 metres'.

Pendennis Shipyard was born out of a local yacht building company which was acquired by Peter de Savary and then relocated to Falmouth Docks in 1988. Of the workforce brought over with the company David Bentley and Peter Wood were to become part of the management team that would ultimately take control of Pendennis, along with Henk Wiekens and Mike Carr, who joined soon after Pendennis began.