Congratulations to “our” boatyard, Harry King & Sons, celebrating 175 years in business this year (2025) and still upholding the skills and standards of traditional boatbuilding, nowadays under the management of Gus and Sarah Curtis – and nowadays the winter home of Nancy Blackett.

The yard was actually founded in 1850 by George Garrard. Harry King (who had started there as an apprentice) took it over in 1898 following the sudden death of George, though such was his reputation, Harry originally added his own name in small letters above George’s on the famous wooden sign that still dominates Pin Mill Green.

Harry King’s yard in the 1930s. The sign still reads Garrard, with Harry King’s name in smaller lettering.

They originally built their business on “foot boats”, 12ft dinghies used as tenders to barges and fishing boats, but Harry developed a reputation for building bespoke yachts by well-known designers, including two for Arthur Ransome – Selina King (by Fred Shepherd) and Peter Duck (by Laurent Giles).

Harry King’s house used to be in front of the Butt and Oyster.

He was succeeded by his sons Sam and Norman, and in due course Sam’s son Geoff. When Geoff retired in 2005, Gus Curtis, who had been with the yard for about 15 years took over, to form the present management team with Sarah – so this is an anniversary year for them too. Once again we thank Sarah for presenting further insights into Harry King’s history at the Trust’s AGM in June.

Harry King (standing right) supervising apprentices.

They have continued to develop and adapt the yard to current requirements, increasing the laying-up side of the business. and taking on the Pin Mill Moorings, while maintaining King’s reputation for skilled boatbuilding and maintenance work. And one thing has come full circle – their son Tom has become a boatbuilder, specialising in clinker dinghies at Harry King’s (and also currently rebuilding a 45ft smack), while daughter Poppy has her own business, East Coast Sailmakers, specialising in traditional sails, set up with her business partner Hattie Dumas.

Harry King’s 175th anniversary also covered by Classic Boat magazine here, while both Nancy Blackett and Selina King are mentioned in their Recent Projects here.

Nancy Blackett in Harry King’s cradle on Pin Mill Hard, 27 Oct 2025. Photo by Anthony Cullen.

Nancy Blackett is now in Harry King’s workshop, ready for the next lot of winter work commencing in the New Year.

Nancy Blackett enters Harry King’s workshop for the next lot of winter work, 19th December 2025. Photo by Sarah Curtis.