The people behind Bluewater

Craftsmanship is always personal.

Meet the experienced team who turn individual ideas into beautifully engineered boats at our Warwickshire workshops.

One team, every stage

Built by people who care about every detail.

Bluewater brings steel fabrication, marine engineering, cabinet making, electrical installation, painting and finishing together under one roof. That continuity means every stage of a build is understood, coordinated and completed with pride.

Meet the team

The skills behind every Bluewater boat.

The Big Boss

David AKA Kipper

With over 30 years’ experience in the boat-building industry, David brings a wealth of knowledge, craftsmanship and hands-on expertise to Bluewater Boats.
Throughout his career, David has designed and built numerous boats from the ground up, creating everything from traditional narrowboats and wide beams to Dutch barges and Thames Launch-style vessels. Many of the hull designs built by Bluewater Boats have been designed personally by David, drawing on decades of practical experience to create boats that combine style, strength, excellent handling and practicality on the water.
David’s experience extends far beyond hull design and fabrication. As a time-served and highly experienced painter, he now plays a major role in Bluewater’s specialist paintwork. He is particularly passionate about shot blasting, surface preparation and professional two-pack paint systems, and firmly believes that the quality of the preparation underneath is every bit as important as the finish you see on top. His detailed understanding of steelwork, preparation and painting means he sets exceptionally high standards for the quality and longevity of every boat leaving the workshop.

As Managing Director, David remains very much hands-on within the business. He oversees builds from the initial concept and design stages right through to completion, while also assisting with customer consultations, boat sales and the day-to-day management of the company. He can also still regularly be found lending a hand in the steel fabrication workshop when needed – proof that, despite being Managing Director, he is never afraid to roll up his sleeves and get involved.

David has also become the familiar face of Bluewater Boats on our YouTube channel, presenting our boat tours, showcasing new builds and explaining the craftsmanship, engineering, shot blasting and painting and the thinking behind them. His enthusiasm for boat building certainly comes across on camera and, much to the amusement of the rest of the team, he has proven to be something of a YouTube star!
His extensive knowledge of boat building, combined with more than three decades of practical experience, means customers benefit from genuine, first-hand advice throughout their build – whether discussing hull design, layout, engineering, paintwork or the finer details that make each Bluewater boat unique.
For David, boat building has never simply been about constructing a boat; it is about creating an individually designed vessel that is built properly, performs well and can be enjoyed for many years to come.

The Boss

Sharon

With 25 years’ experience in the boat-building industry, Sharon is a Company Director at Bluewater Boats and plays a central role in the day-to-day running of the business.
Primarily based in the office, Sharon manages everything from customer enquiries and boat sales through to accounts, purchasing, administration and the general organisation that keeps each project moving smoothly.
Most importantly, Sharon works closely with every customer throughout their build. From the initial enquiry and specification through to the final stages of completion, she is a consistent point of contact, ensuring that every decision is discussed, documented and communicated clearly.
With a bespoke boat there can be hundreds of individual decisions to make, and Sharon helps customers navigate each one. Whether choosing equipment, appliances, colours, fabrics, finishes or discussing changes to the original specification, she works closely with customers and the Bluewater team to make sure the correct products are ordered and that each boat reflects its owners’ individual requirements.

Communication is a particularly important part of Sharon’s role. She provides customers with regular progress updates throughout their build, including photographs and information from the workshop, while coordinating decisions between customers, the build team and suppliers.
After 25 years within the industry, Sharon has developed an extensive knowledge of the boat-building process and understands just how important the experience of having a bespoke boat built is to each customer.
Her attention to detail, organisation and personal approach help ensure that customers feel involved and informed from their very first conversation with Bluewater Boats through to the exciting day they take delivery of their finished boat.

Marine Electrical Engineer

Jon

Jon is our highly experienced Marine Electrical Engineer and has been an important part of the Bluewater Boats team for the past nine years.
Before joining Bluewater, Jonn spent many years working within the yacht-building industry, giving him a wealth of experience in marine electrical systems and engineering. This background, combined with his years at Bluewater, has given John an exceptional depth of knowledge across both traditional and modern marine electrical installations.
Jonn is responsible for the electrical and engineering installations aboard our boats, from complete 12V, 24V, 48V and 230V systems through to the sophisticated technology now incorporated into our electric propulsion narrowboats. He has extensive experience installing and integrating Victron equipment, including lithium battery systems, inverter/chargers, solar, monitoring and control equipment, alongside the electric propulsion system and associated onboard equipment.
Our electric propulsion narrowboats require particularly detailed and carefully planned electrical installations, and this is an area in which John’s methodical approach and technical knowledge really come into their own. He takes great care to ensure the various systems work together correctly, efficiently and reliably.
Extremely methodical in his approach, John has a genuine eye for detail and takes great pride in ensuring every installation is completed neatly, logically and to an exceptionally high standard.

His meticulous approach is particularly important with the increasingly complex electrical and engineering systems fitted to today’s bespoke boats.
John’s knowledge and problem-solving ability are invaluable to the team. Whether he is planning an installation, commissioning equipment, fault-finding or working through the technical challenges that inevitably arise when building completely bespoke boats, his experience and thorough approach ensure the job is done properly.
Much of Jon’s workmanship may be hidden behind panels and inside electrical cupboards once a boat is complete, but open one up and his attention to detail is immediately apparent – organised, carefully considered and built with the same high standards we expect throughout every Bluewater boat.

Carpenter & Cabinet Maker

Bobby

With around 35 years’ experience in boat building, Bobby is our highly skilled Carpenter and Cabinet Maker and brings an enormous amount of craftsmanship, knowledge and practical experience to the Bluewater Boats team.
Bobby is responsible for much of the interior craftsmanship that transforms one of our steel shells into a beautifully finished bespoke boat. From handcrafted cabinetry, cupboards and doors to flooring, tiling, panelling and the countless finishing details throughout the interior, Bobby’s workmanship can be seen almost everywhere you look aboard a completed Bluewater boat.
One of Bobby’s particular strengths is his ability to make the very best use of the space available. Boat interiors often present unusual angles, curves and restricted spaces, and his years of experience mean he is excellent at problem-solving and creating clever, practical solutions without compromising on the overall appearance of the interior.
As every Bluewater boat is individually designed for its owners, Bobby rarely builds exactly the same thing twice. Bespoke cabinetry, storage solutions, seating, beds, bathroom furniture and one-off features are all part of the job, and his skill and experience allow customers’ ideas to be turned into beautifully made, practical features.

One feature Bobby is particularly proud of has affectionately become known as “Bobby’s Wall”, created for our electric narrowboat Astrid. This full-height feature bulkhead was handcrafted from individual oak slats, designed to twist between open and closed positions. During the day, the slats can be opened to allow light to flow between the saloon and dinette, maintaining a feeling of space throughout the boat. At night, they can be twisted closed to create a solid visual divide and provide privacy. It is a perfect example of Bobby’s ability to combine craftsmanship, creative thinking and practical design to produce something completely unique.
Bobby is a true craftsman who takes great pride in his work. His attention to detail and ability to turn raw materials into a beautifully finished interior play a huge part in creating the quality and individuality that our bespoke boats are known for.
With 35 years spent building and fitting out boats, there isn’t much Bobby hasn’t encountered along the way – and when a particularly tricky challenge arises, he can usually find a way to make it work.

Steel Fabricator & Welder

Darren

Darren is a key member of our steel fabrication team, working in the fabrication workshop where our bespoke hulls are brought to life.
With many years of experience in steel fabrication and welding, Darren brings a high level of skill, accuracy and craftsmanship to every project. Working from our individual designs, he is involved in transforming sheets of steel into the carefully shaped hulls that form the foundation of each Bluewater boat.
From narrowboats and wide beams to more complex bespoke designs, Darren’s work requires precision, patience and a keen eye for detail. Every hull is individually fabricated, with great care taken to achieve the strength, shape and quality of finish that we expect from a Bluewater-built boat.

An experienced and highly capable welder, Darren takes great pride in his workmanship and consistently produces work to an excellent standard. His practical knowledge and fabrication experience make him an invaluable part of our team.
Much of the craftsmanship within a finished boat is eventually hidden from view, but the quality of the steelwork underneath is fundamental to how that boat performs and lasts. Darren plays an important part in ensuring every Bluewater hull starts its life built with care, skill and attention to detail.

Engineering & Workshop Support

Tony

Tony has been part of the Bluewater Boats team for over 15 years and is one of those invaluable members of the team whose work can be found throughout almost every stage of a boat build.
Working closely alongside Jon, our Marine Electrical Engineer, Tony assists with the electrical and engineering installations aboard our boats. His work includes first-fix electrics, preparing cable routes, drilling and fitting, as well as assisting with plumbing and the installation of various onboard systems and equipment.
With 15 years of experience at Bluewater, Tony has developed a great understanding of how our boats are put together and, importantly, what needs to happen at each stage to keep a build progressing smoothly.
His role is extremely varied. One day he may be working alongside Jon on the electrical installation, the next carrying out plumbing work, preparing a boat ready for painting or helping another member of the team wherever an extra pair of experienced hands is needed.
Tony’s versatility, practical knowledge and willingness to get stuck into whatever needs doing make him a hugely valued member of the Bluewater team. He is dependable and always ready to turn his hand to the next job – an important quality when no two days, and certainly no two bespoke boats, are ever quite the same.

Boat Fitter

Niall

Niall is one of the newest members of the Bluewater Boats team, joining us as a Boat Fitter and working closely alongside Bobby, our highly experienced Carpenter and Cabinet Maker.
Under Bobby’s guidance and training, Niall is developing his skills in all aspects of bespoke boat fitting and has already proven himself to be a very capable and valued member of the team.
Boat fitting is very different from working within a conventional building – as Niall has quickly discovered, very little on a boat is ever perfectly straight, square or level! Creating a beautifully finished interior requires patience, accuracy, problem-solving and the ability to adapt to the individual shape of each boat.
Niall has already demonstrated a natural understanding of how to make the best use of the space available, working on cabinetry, interior joinery, flooring and the many bespoke features that go into creating a Bluewater interior.
With a keen eye for detail, a willingness to learn and Bobby’s many years of experience to draw upon, Niall is developing into an excellent boat fitter and is already producing work that we are extremely pleased with.
We’re delighted to have Niall as part of the Bluewater team and look forward to seeing his skills and craftsmanship continue to develop over the years ahead.

Engineering & Workshop Support

Dean

Dean joined the Bluewater Boats team earlier this year and works across a variety of areas within our engineering and workshop team.
Working alongside Jon and Tony, Dean assists with many of the important first stages of a boat’s engineering installation, including first-fix electrics, plumbing, preparation work and the numerous practical jobs required as a boat progresses through its build.
Dean is also developing his skills in the mechanical side of boat building and is being trained in the installation of engines, bow thrusters and other onboard engineering equipment. As every Bluewater boat is bespoke, this requires not only practical ability but also an understanding of how the different systems need to be planned and integrated within the limited space available.
As a narrowboat owner who also lives aboard, Dean brings another valuable perspective to the team. His first-hand experience of day-to-day life on the water gives him a genuine understanding of how a narrowboat needs to work as a practical living space. He understands the importance of usability, storage, accessibility and making the most of every available inch – as well as those little details that can make a big difference when you actually live aboard.

He has quickly become a valued member of the team and has shown himself to be practical, capable and keen to expand his knowledge. Working alongside our experienced engineers gives Dean the opportunity to develop his skills across both traditional diesel-powered boats and the increasingly sophisticated systems found aboard our electric propulsion builds.
Dean is another great all-rounder who is always willing to get involved wherever he is needed, and we look forward to seeing his knowledge and experience continue to grow as part of the Bluewater team.

Content Creators

Matt & Russ - Warwickshire Arts

Matt and Russ from Warwickshire Arts have become very much part of the extended Bluewater Boats team, working closely with us behind the scenes to help bring Bluewater to life online.
They are the talented pair behind our YouTube videos, taking care of the filming, production and editing that allows us to showcase our boats, our team and what really goes into building a bespoke Bluewater boat. They have a great understanding of our business and somehow manage to turn David’s enthusiasm in front of the camera into videos people actually want to watch!
But their involvement with Bluewater goes much further than video production. Matt and Russ have also worked with us on our admin and management systems, helping us make the day-to-day running of the business more streamlined and efficient.
Most recently, they have been responsible for designing and building our new bespoke Bluewater Boats website, creating something specifically around our business rather than simply using an off-the-shelf website package.
They are also our general go-to team for all things digital, social media and video. Whether we have an idea for a new video, need help with the website, want to improve one of our systems or simply have a technical problem that none of us understands, Matt and Russ are usually the first people we call!
Over the time we have worked together, they have really got to know Bluewater Boats, our customers, our team and, most importantly, what makes our boats different. That understanding comes through in everything they produce for us.
They may not build the boats themselves, but Matt and Russ play a huge part in helping us show the world what we build — and we genuinely consider them an important part of the Bluewater team.

The Face of Bluewater at Crick

Chloe

Chloe is the youngest member of the Bluewater Boats team and, although you won’t usually find her in the workshop, if you’ve visited us at the Crick Boat Show, there’s a very good chance you’ll have met her!
Crick is where Chloe really comes into her own. She is often the first friendly face you’ll see when you arrive at the Bluewater stand, welcoming visitors, chatting to customers and generally making sure everyone feels at home.
Happy, enthusiastic and able to strike up a conversation with absolutely anyone about pretty much anything, Chloe has a natural way with people and genuinely enjoys meeting both existing Bluewater customers and those discovering us for the first time.
Over the years, she has grown up around Bluewater Boats and the boating world, so although she may be our youngest team member, she knows far more about boats and the business than she probably realises!
Friendly, confident and always smiling, Chloe brings plenty of personality and energy to the team and has become very much the face of Bluewater Boats at Crick.
So, if you’re visiting us at the next Crick Boat Show, make sure you say hello to Chloe — although knowing Chloe, she’ll probably have started the conversation first!

Head of Customer Relations & Treat Management 🐾

Hugo

Hugo is our much-loved Border Collie and a very important member of the Bluewater Boats team. He’s extremely well known around the boatyard and loves nothing more than meeting customers, making new friends and ensuring nobody leaves without giving him plenty of fuss!
If you visit us, there’s a very good chance Hugo will be one of the first to greet you. He’ll usually arrive carrying either his favourite ball or, rather unusually, an old grinding disc that he absolutely loves playing with, in the hope that you’ll stop what you’re doing and play a game of fetch.
Hugo loves people and has perfected the art of making his presence known, particularly when there are cuddles, fuss or treats on offer. He’s become a real part of life at Bluewater Boats and, for many of our regular customers and visitors, a trip to the boatyard wouldn’t be quite the same without a welcome from Hugo.
Specialist skills: Customer greetings, fetch, treat detection and keeping everyone smiling.

Come and meet us

See the team and the boats taking shape.

Visit the Warwickshire workshops and experience the quality, skill and care behind every Bluewater build.

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