19 Jul From Sydney to Lydney
If you follow our Facbook page, you may have seen our ‘Sydney to Lydney’ posts.
We had a boat repair workshop enquiry from just outside Sydney, NSW! Initially we said that whilst we are happy to travel and offer workshops at sailors’ clubs, we thought that Australia might be a bit far! We are based in Lydney, Glos, easily reached from the M4, M5 and our South Wales, but sadly not from New South Wales, Australia!
Hugh Spear then told us that he planned to be in the UK and whilst he’s here, he’d like to learn how to fix common problems with his Aero, do small yacht repairs and gelcoat repairs on his surfski. He booked a 1:1 course.
Here’s his story, which makes an interesting read:
Hugh Spear’s story of how he came to do a West Country Boat Repairs Boat Repair Workshop, what it covered and his thoughts about it
I have come to sailing late in life and after selling my business and retiring, I took up dinghy sailing an RS Aero during ‘lockdown’ in Sydney, where I live for over half of each year. I race most weeks on Pittwater which is just North of Sydney Harbour.
Last year I undertook a Day Skipper Course for yachts and purchased a 34 ft Hanse. I developed an interest in sailing long passages, and started reading stories from others on this subject. Most sailors on long journeys are regularly fixing things, and as someone who isn’t particularly skilled at anything practical, I felt I should get a bit of an education on all the things which might need to be fixed on a boat.
Having failing to find anything suitable in the Sydney area, and knowing that from May to September I would be in Europe, I signed up for a 7 day boat maintenance course in Hamble (Southampton).
This was run in late June 2025. It was primarily for yacht maintenance, so included such things as Engines, Rigging, Plumbing and Electrics. There were also 2 days put in for GRP repairs and painting.
The organisers wrote to me in March to say that they were unable to run the 2 day GRP repairs and painting elements due to changes at the local technical college, where this part was run. They consequently reduced their course to 5 days.
I asked the organisers for any recommendations as to alternative suppliers of a GRP repair and painting course, and both their suggestions ran 1 week courses, at a time when I couldn’t attend.
So I started my own search and very quickly found Pete at West Country Boat Repairs. After a couple of emails to agree a date (Pete was very accommodating), I undertook the course in Lydney on July 10th.
I drove down from the Peak District where I stay while in the UK, and stayed overnight in Lydney. I explored the harbour and town on my bike, the night before the course, and was fascinated to learn about Lydney’s history as a tidal port on the river Severn, and also that the founder of the Bledesloe Cup (a rugby trophy, presented annually, to the victors of a series of matches between the Wallabies and the All Blacks) was named after a famous Lydney resident.
I wasn’t certain what I would learn on the course. I had looked at the website and could see some elements, but I didn’t know how much would be ‘hands-on’ and how much knowlege and experience would be behind the course.
What I found was perfect for me. It was a roughly four hour course, run in a relaxed way, but structured so that I would cover everything.
Pete was primarily my instructor, but was ably assisted by Kimberley who was undertaking a significant structural repair. Pete has been doing boat repairs for 30 odd years, and has pretty much come across every kind of repair. To me this means that he can answer every question with an answer that isn’t out of any text book (though Pete has written a book on the subject, jointly with his wife Penni), but borne out of working week in, week out with the tools and materials and the real world challenges of fixing problems on boats (and other vessels), wherever they arise.
It was interesting (and amusing) to learn that the team at West Country Boat repairs, had evolved their own tools and techniques out of a need to tackle novel repairs. Kimberley for example had created some of her own shaped sanding blocks and named them. I remember ‘Sandra Dee’ and ‘Sandra Bullock’ as specific shaped blocks.
I wanted to learn how to make routine maintenance repairs to my Aero, such as fixing gelcoat chips on the centreboard, and chips and scratches on the hull. And I also wanted to learn how to make running repairs to a yacht, so that I could continue on my journey. I wanted to know what tools and materials I should carry, and how to use these. I also wanted to know how strong these repairs could be, and whether I could trust the repairs I might make.
I achieved my objectives, and more. The course length was just about right, so that I could actually remember what I had done and have a go at each key skill involved with Preparation, Repair and Finishing. I didn’t have to take any notes, but I did take plenty of photos. At the end of the course Pete presented me with a copy of his book, which was much better than any note taking I may have done.
I have recommended West Country Boat Repairs to the company in Hamble that cover other elements of boat maintenance, and would happily recommend to anyone else who wanted to learn how to fix their boat.
Hugh Spears
Hugh – it was a pleasure to meet you, and we are deligfhted that you enjoyed the course and that it met your needs so well. Good luck in your adventures, we’d love to hear about them.
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