We find it hard to imagine owning a wooden boat without James. In contrast to our previous experiences of repairs and upgrades using boatyards, James immediately inspires confidence with his approach. His has the remarkable ability to assess a complex problem and almost immediately provide a solution that is not only practical and affordable but often considerably improves the boat! There is no fuss, no sharp intakes of breath, no long-winded pondering discussions about this possibility or that. When it comes to doing the job, he has the same no nonsense approach, he doesn’t mess around, he works incredibly efficiently with speed, strength and precision combined with an aesthetic eye, so important to a wooden boat. His knowledge is such that we just couldn’t imagine any job that would be too much for James. In short, he is the best in the business and is one of those rare and gifted people whose abilities transform owning a wooden boat into an absolute pleasure. Lisa and Piers
James played a key role in restoring the 1912 Falmouth Quay Punt ‘Curlew’ (Classic Boat July 2020), including the complete re-planking of the 28′ boat in larch, demonstrating an amazing level of craftsmanship and attention to detail, and he always came in on-time and in-budget. He continues to be involved in her maintenance, and is always a source of good, sound, practical advice, on all aspects of traditional boats. He has recently started work on my next project, the restoration of ‘Juanita’, a 24′ working boat built in Falmouth in 1896…..
Chris Harker
James Baker you are still my first ‘go to’ shipwright, whenever I have an urgent wooden boat problem. As a charter boat operator that loves wooden boats that represent out maritime heritage, but also needs to earn a living from those iconic vessels, I need a shipwright that will get me back to sea fast. You have been there for me for over a decade, doing projects big and small, without drama or outrageous costs. For me as a business owner that is priceless. “ Debbie Co founder of Classic Sailing Ltd
“In almost 30 years of owning Blue Linnet James is the best shipwright we have known. No job too big or small, from fine interior work, building butterfly hatches, awkward beam replacement or bending in 3” planks 30ft long he can do it all. There is a saying that goes something like, ‘ …you can do it cheap, fast and with great quality, but you can only have two of those’ with James you get all three. Thanks for all the work on Linnet over the years. Gary and Anna
“You won’t find a better boatbuilder” Mark Eve