A highly specified twin-cabin Duchy 35 will be on the Cockwells stand when the British Motor Yacht Show opens at Swanwick Marina on 14 May, alongside ‘Lady Ella’, the first Hardy 45 European.
The British Motor Yacht Show takes a curated approach: exhibitors are chosen rather than simply booked, and Cockwells has been asked back for a second consecutive year. Over four days, Thursday to Sunday, 14 to 17 May, the Cornish builder will have two boats at Swanwick Marina on the River Hamble in Hampshire: a twin-cabin Duchy 35 and the first Hardy 45 European, Lady Ella. For readers in Australia and New Zealand the Duchy 35 is the one to pay attention to, so that is where I will start.
A Duchy 35 with the options list well used
The boat going to Swanwick is a twin-cabin Duchy 35 with most of the boxes ticked. It carries the varnished Iroko transom and the double saloon doors that give the model its classic look, two cabins below, a galley up in the saloon where whoever is cooking can still see the water, and underwater lighting. More relevant to anyone who runs a boat in open water, it has the engine upgrade to twin Yanmar 8LV 350hp diesels, a Seakeeper gyrostabiliser and WiFi on board.
- Varnished Iroko transom
- Double saloon doors
- Two cabins below, galley in the saloon
- Underwater lighting
- Engine upgrade to twin Yanmar 8LV 350hp
- Seakeeper gyrostabiliser
- Onboard WiFi
A gyro and the larger engines are the two options that most change how a 35 behaves once there is a sea running, and the second cabin is what turns a weekender for a couple into a boat a family can cruise on. The model’s credentials are not new: it took the prize for Wheelhouse and Cockpit Cruisers at the 2018 Motor Boat Awards, which Motor Boat & Yachting magazine runs, and Cockwells still describes it as a versatile, consistently popular boat within the Duchy Motor Launches range.
The show: Swanwick Marina, 14 to 17 May
Premier Marinas organises the British Motor Yacht Show with Fairline, Princess and Sunseeker, and it deliberately keeps the exhibitor list short so that buyers can spend real time on each boat rather than queueing. RIBs and day boats share the pontoons with the big motor yachts. Entry is free but you must register in advance, and registered guests can book a private appointment with any exhibitor before they arrive.
For Australian or New Zealand readers who happen to be in the UK in mid-May, that appointment system is worth using. It is a quieter way to see a Duchy 35 than a crowded public show, and the Cockwells team will have time to talk through a specification in detail.
Also on the stand: ‘Lady Ella’, the first Hardy 45 European
The second boat is hull number one of the Hardy 45 European, which was Highly Commended in the 2026 Motor Boat Awards. Lady Ella was delivered early in 2025 and is now offered through Cockwells’ brokerage after a change in her owner’s circumstances; Cockwells says she presents as new.
Her hull is the Hardy 42’s semi-displacement form, drawn by Andrew Wolstenholme, which gives her a low profile and, with a folding radar arch, the ability to pass under bridges on inland waterways. Bow and stern thrusters are optional. On deck there is a semi-enclosed helm on the aft deck, a saloon whose seating is U-shaped, with a full galley, a full-beam owner’s stateroom aft with standing headroom and a king-size berth, a double guest cabin forward and two en-suite heads. Cockwells pitches her as a boat for canals and rivers that comes into her own when she heads offshore. As the Hardy dealer for Australia and New Zealand, we find the 45 European an interesting proposition for the east coast, but that is a subject for another article.
We are proud to have been selected to exhibit at this prestigious boat show once again to take our place amongst the world’s leading yacht brands and welcome discerning visitors to step aboard our Hardy 45 European and Duchy 35.
Dave Cockwell, Founder and Sales & Technical Director, Cockwells
Every boat we build reflects our meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality, and our comprehensive global after sales support system ensures that every owner receives the highest level of service, wherever they are located in the world.
Dave Cockwell, Founder and Sales & Technical Director, Cockwells
What this means for Australian and New Zealand buyers
Davis Marine Brokerage is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy Motor Launches, Hardy Motor Yachts and Cockwells SuperYacht Tenders. The Duchy 35 heading to Hampshire is, option for option, a boat that could be ordered through us for delivery to Sydney. The twin-cabin layout, the Yanmar upgrade, the Seakeeper and the Iroko transom are all choices open to an Australian owner, and we import the boat and handle delivery and commissioning here.
The first Duchy 35 for Australia was sold in December 2022 and arrived in Sydney in May 2023, and you can see how the boat sits on the water in our piece on the Duchy 35 on Sydney Harbour. If a new build is further away than you want to wait, we currently have a 2019 Duchy 35 for sale. The Duchy difference page sets out why these boats are built the way they are.
Demonstrations on Sydney Harbour can be arranged from Fergusons Marina at The Spit in Mosman. To arrange one, or to talk through a Duchy 35 specification, use our contact page or call Sam Davis on 0408 864 111. Cockwells’ own show announcement is on the Cockwells website.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the British Motor Yacht Show 2026?
The British Motor Yacht Show runs over four days, Thursday to Sunday, 14 to 17 May, at Swanwick Marina on the River Hamble in Hampshire. Premier Marinas organises it together with Fairline, Princess and Sunseeker. Cockwells is exhibiting for a second consecutive year with a twin-cabin Duchy 35 and ‘Lady Ella’, the first Hardy 45 European.
What specification is the Duchy 35 that Cockwells is showing?
It is a twin-cabin Duchy 35 with a varnished Iroko transom, double saloon doors, two cabins below, a galley in the saloon and underwater lighting. It also has the upgrade to twin Yanmar 8LV 350hp engines, a Seakeeper gyro and WiFi aboard, which makes it one of the more completely specified examples of the model.
Is entry to the British Motor Yacht Show free?
Yes, attendance is free, but visitors must register beforehand. Registered guests can also request a private appointment with exhibitors such as Cockwells so they can spend uninterrupted time aboard the boats. Both registration and appointment requests are handled through the show’s own website.
Can I order the same Duchy 35 specification in Australia?
Yes. Davis Marine Brokerage is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy Motor Launches, and options such as the twin-cabin layout, the upgrade to twin Yanmar 8LV 350hp engines, a Seakeeper gyrostabiliser and a varnished Iroko transom can be specified on a boat ordered through DMB for delivery and commissioning in Sydney.
What is the Hardy 45 European?
Cockwells’ Hardy 45 European is a new model built on the Andrew Wolstenholme-designed Hardy 42 semi-displacement hull. ‘Lady Ella’ is hull number one, delivered in early 2025, and was Highly Commended in the 2026 Motor Boat Awards. Davis Marine Brokerage is the Australian and New Zealand dealer for Hardy Motor Yachts.
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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