About Us
What we do…
We specialise in providing the most comprehensive and professional service for the care and repair of leisure craft in Scilly. We take a pride in providing top quality workmanship to achieve the highest standard of care for our Boatshare and Timeshare owners of Powercats, Island pilots and Sealegs Amphibious Ribs.
Isles of Scilly Boat Hire are also major sponsors of the World Pilot Gig Championships, Inter Island Swimming and Inter Island Walking Events by supplying boats to use as safety boats to marshal the events. This is a testament to the quality, safety and practically of the boats on the Islands.
Who we are…
Richard and Sheila Drew are married and have three daughters, two granddaughters and three grandsons! Richard was born in Brixham, South Devon and moved to Plymouth in the late 60’s where his working life started in Devonport Dockyard as a Fitter and Turner. Leaving the dockyard, Richard established his own motorbike repair and MOT business in Tavistock until 2001 – when he joined Weir Quay Boatyard as a mechanical engineer.
Sheila was born in her parents shop in Bere Alston, Devon. She has had various jobs including her own courier company before joining the Post office in 2001.
Richard and Sheila moved to Bryher Boatyard on the Isles of Scilly in 2008 and joined forces with Chris Jenkins a year later.
Bryher Boatyard is the summer base for the Isles of Scilly Boat Hire operation.
Chris lives on St. Mary’s, where he has all his life, playing a key role in community life there. Having spent his formative years being influenced by all things nautical, he developed a natural interest in boating and the mechanisms behind them. Chris is an assistant mechanic and voluntary crew member on the St. Mary’s RNLI Lifeboat, where he has now served for over 30 years.
Gig rowing is a big part of Scillonia history and Chris has been dedicated to the sport since his teenage years, and was part of the team who recently attempted an unassisted row from New York to Scilly. The proud father of two beautiful daughters – when he’s not out on the water you will find him embracing family life and getting to grips with equestrian techniques, as he indulges their passion for ponies.
Chris set up his own company South’ard Engineering, est. 1982. The business is based on St. Mary’s specialises in outboard motors maintenance repair. This is the winter and maintenance base for the Isles of Scilly Boat Hire fleet.
Where we are…
Isles of Scilly Boat Hire is located at the top of the beach by the low water landing point of Anneka’s Quay, Bar on Bryher. With the onsite Chandlers Shop and Aquarium, Bryher Boatyard is the focal point for the day to day running of our business and contact point for customers needs. Richard and Sheila live on site, whilst Chris has his own engineering workshop at Porthmellon on St. Mary’s, where the boats are maintained. The timeshare boats are also stored here over the winter under their protective shrinked—wrapped covers.
