Shop of the Week: Traditional Boat Supplies

Tucked around the corner from the SS Great Britain and sitting next to its own boatyard, it would be easy to miss Traditional Boat Supplies if you weren’t looking for it. But although Mark Rolt’s shop is specialist, his boat parts and supplies are distributed to consumers around the globe. “We sell to people in places like America, New Zealand and Japan,” he says. “There aren’t many shops in the world who offer the parts we have, so we have a big market, but it’s also very niche.”

Mark has been working on boats for more than 35 years, and, along with his six staff, offers customers his expertise alongside his products and restoration work. “This is a business that pays its way, but I’ve never been in it for the money,” Mark says. “All of the stuff we sell, we use ourselves and we know about. I enjoy providing a service and talking about other peoples’ boats and projects that they’re working on.”

A collection of boat parts, soon being shipped to Australia.

Before owning his shop, Mark worked as both a shipwright and professional sailor. He sailed from Britain to America and spent a few years working there, including helping to rebuild the HMS Surprise, featured in the movie Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Mark was also a part of a ten-man team who were endorsed by Price Phillip to rebuild The Matthew for its 500th anniversary in 1997.

In 1986 he began building boats, initially at a yard near Lloyds Amphitheatre, then at McArthur’s Yard next to the SS Great Britain. In 1999 he moved the business to Redcliffe Wharf and then began working from his present location in 2013.

The chandlery business – selling items from shipbuilding tools to varnish and custom-made boat nails imported from India – is a newer venture. Traditional Boat Supplies previously had another owner who was retiring and would often ask Mark, who was a regular customer, to buy his business. After finally being convinced to take over, Mark moved the business to Bristol and opened the doors in Easter 2016.

He says he now sees the shop as a good retirement project, and a way to gradually ease out of his work as a shipwright: “Being a shipwright is hard work and you’re out in bad weather a lot of the time, but when I retire, I’ll miss it,” he says. “This has been my life, so it’s like giving up part of yourself.”

One of many boats that have been sent to Mark’s boatyard for repair and restoration.

Even though he works in a niche industry, Mark still has interest from young people in Bristol who are looking to learn the shipwright’s trade. He takes on apprentices to teach and give work experience, and currently has three young people learning from his three more experienced members of boatbuilding staff, who he has worked with for 15 years.

Mark has high standards for his work, and says that his students respect the importance of their job: “Peoples’ lives are dependent on what you’ve given them. We try to make sure the apprentices understand that and it reflects on their work. They’re encouraged to watch the more experienced shipwrights and learn on the job.”

Traditional Boat Supplies
Rolt’s Boatyard, Hanover Place, Albion Dockside Estate, Bristol, BS1 6TZ
0117 330 5950
www.traditionalboatsupplies.com