Cockwells has delivered its first Duchy 35 to the United States: the twin-cabin ‘Frisia’, now with her owners in Rhode Island after showing in Connecticut alongside a Duchy 27.
There is now a Duchy 35 on the water in Rhode Island. Frisia, the first of the model built for an American owner, has crossed the Atlantic and been handed over by Cockwells and its North American dealer, Wellington Yacht Partners. For those of us who represent the Duchy Motor Launches range on the far side of the world, it is a familiar story: the first Duchy 35 for Australia made the same sort of journey to Sydney three years ago.
How ‘Frisia’ is specified
Her owners have leaned towards the traditional end of the Duchy character. The hull is navy, set off by a cove line picked out in red and white; the transom is varnished Iroko; and she has double doors. Below, she is the twin-cabin version, which is the layout that turns the 35 from a weekender for a couple into a boat a family can cruise on.
- Navy hull with a cove line in red and white
- Varnished Iroko transom
- Double doors
- Twin-cabin layout: galley up in the saloon, two double berths below
Cockwells offers the 35 two ways. With a single cabin it is a day boat or a weekender for two. The twin-cabin arrangement adds a second double below and keeps a well-fitted galley up in the saloon, so the boat sleeps four and still has the big cockpit and bright saloon that earned the model its Wheelhouse and Cockpit Cruisers win in Motor Boat & Yachting’s Motor Boat Awards. It is the same formula whatever the weather is doing: plenty of room to sit, eat and talk, inside or out.
A Rhode Island dealer and a Connecticut debut
Wellington Yacht Partners holds the exclusive North American dealership for Duchy and, like Frisia’s owners, is based in Rhode Island. It is run by Ted Hood, a yacht broker whose late father was a yacht designer and builder of international standing. Cockwells delivered the boat in partnership with the Hood team.
Before the handover, Frisia’s first public outing was the Connecticut Spring Boat Show (Safe Harbour Essex Island), where she sat next to Duchy 27 hull number 37. Cockwells reports that visitors responded to the proportions, the quality of the build and how usable the boats are day to day. The Duchy 27 is not new to the US market; the first one was delivered there in 2025. It is a weekender for two or a picnic boat for six, with lively performance and the same attention to comfort as the larger boats.
Dave Cockwell on the American reception
Dave Cockwell, who founded the company and heads its sales and technical side, attended the Connecticut show in person alongside the Wellington team.
It was fantastic to see how well the first Duchy 35 was received by American boat lovers as they complimented her exceptional build quality and classic styling. If this reaction is anything to go by, I am sure we will be seeing a lot more Duchys in the United States in the future.
Dave Cockwell, Founder and Sales & Technical Director, Cockwells
He also placed the US delivery in the context of the company’s other export markets, and Sydney got a mention.
Following our recent successes in Europe at boot Dusseldorf, and with ongoing partners Davis Marine Brokerage in Sydney, Australia, this is yet another exciting development for our company as we continue to expand into international markets, and we look forward to heading to the Southampton International Boat Show next.
Dave Cockwell, Founder and Sales & Technical Director, Cockwells
Ted Hood, who runs Wellington Yacht Partners as managing director, added that having the founder on the dock let American customers hear about the boats’ heritage and build from the person behind the brand rather than second-hand. Cockwells also makes the point that its after-sales support is organised globally, so an owner is looked after wherever the boat ends up.
What it means for Duchy owners and buyers in Australia and New Zealand
Davis Marine Brokerage is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy Motor Launches, Hardy Motor Yachts and Cockwells SuperYacht Tenders. The first Duchy 35 for Australia was sold in December 2022 and arrived in Sydney in May 2023. We have since published an offshore sea trial and a run on Sydney Harbour, and the qualities the Connecticut visitors picked up on are the same ones we see on the boat here.
Each Duchy sold through DMB is imported by us and delivered and commissioned in Sydney, and Cockwells says its after-sales support is set up to reach owners wherever they are, from New England to New South Wales. That matters to an owner here: a boat built on the other side of the world needs a builder who is set up to support it at a distance, and the American delivery is further evidence that Cockwells is.
For anyone who wants a Duchy 35 without the build time, we currently have a 2019 Duchy 35 for sale, and the Duchy 27 that shared the Connecticut stand can be ordered through us for delivery to Sydney. A demonstration on Sydney Harbour from Fergusons Marina at The Spit can be arranged through our contact page or by calling Sam Davis on 0408 864 111. Cockwells’ own account of Frisia’s arrival is on the Cockwells website.
Frequently asked questions
Who delivered the first Duchy 35 in the United States?
Cockwells delivered Duchy 35 ‘Frisia’ to her owners in Rhode Island in partnership with Wellington Yacht Partners, its exclusive North American dealer. Wellington’s base is likewise in Rhode Island, and the firm is run by yacht broker Ted Hood. Frisia is the first Duchy 35 built for an American owner.
How is Duchy 35 ‘Frisia’ specified?
Frisia is a twin-cabin Duchy 35 with a navy hull, a cove line in red and white, an Iroko transom finished in varnish, and double doors. The twin-cabin layout places the galley in the saloon with two double berths below, so the boat suits family cruising as well as day use.
What is the difference between the single-cabin and twin-cabin Duchy 35?
With one cabin the Duchy 35 works as a day boat, or as a weekender for a couple. The twin-cabin version adds a second double berth below and keeps a well-equipped galley in the saloon, making it a family cruiser that sleeps four while retaining the large cockpit and airy saloon of the single-cabin boat.
Has the Duchy 35 won any awards?
Yes. The Duchy 35 has previously won the Motor Boat Awards’ Wheelhouse and Cockpit Cruisers class; the awards are run by Motor Boat & Yachting magazine. Cockwells describes it as a highly versatile and consistently popular model within the Duchy Motor Launches range.
Can I buy a Duchy 35 in Australia or New Zealand?
Yes. Davis Marine Brokerage in Mosman, Sydney, is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy Motor Launches. The first Duchy 35 for Australia arrived in Sydney in May 2023. DMB imports new Duchys, handles delivery and commissioning in Sydney, and currently has a pre-owned 2019 Duchy 35 listed for sale.
Davis Marine Brokerage is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy Motor Launches, Hardy Motor Yachts and Cockwells SuperYacht Tenders. To talk about a new build, a demonstration on Sydney Harbour or a pre-owned Duchy, call Sam Davis on 0408 864 111 or send an enquiry.
About the author
Sam Davis is the Director and Lead Broker at Davis Marine Brokerage, Fergusons Marina, Mosman. Brokering on Sydney Harbour for over a decade, he is a NSW State Councillor of the Boating Industry Association and the Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy, Hardy and Cockwells SuperYacht Tenders.
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