About J-Star Marine Services

Hi,

I'm Simon "The Gaffer" of J-Star Marine Services.  I have been around boats since the age of 4, when my father put me in a paddle boat,on Felixstowe yacht pond and I have enjoying bring on the water ever since.

Although not originally from a boating family background, I have been around boats all my life in one way or other.

 From a young age, family holidays were often  spent on the water, mainly in the Lake District, the Norfolk Boards or the North Yorkshire coast.

From the age of 16 I moved to Norfolk (Potter Heigham) to start an apprenticeship as a boat builder with Maycraft Boat Services Ltd. (1977 to 1983)

Following the completion of my apprenticeship  I moved to Hardy Marine Ltd (North Walsham)  to learn a different set of skills building GRP boats. (1983- 1990)

I was then headhunted by the MD of Fox's Marina Ltd to work in the boatyard on luxury ocean going  vessels. (1990-2000). 

From 1977 to 2000 I helped my parents with the running of J-Star Boat Services. 

This included yacht delivering and Skippering. When they retired from the business I took up the running of the business going forward to the present day.

So with almost  five decades of experience, I am well placed to give sound advice on many of the boating problems that arise from owning a classic or modern motor boat or yacht.  

Hi, 

I am Tricia (Simon's Wife & Boatswain mate)  newest member of the J-Star Team,   I joined following my retirement as a Mental Health Nurse of 40 years. I am only volunteering presently because I am still working part time.

 I've  had a passion for classic vessels since watching Thames Barges go up and down the coast as a child.  

Over the past few years I've been helping Simon with his admin work.  Now with more time on my hands, I am taking a more hands on role in the boat yard. I have been gaining experience  working on restoring our Classic East Coast Gaff rigged cutter Mai Star II & Chance our James A Silver "Western Isles" Ketch Rigged TSDY registered with National Historic Ships UK . 

The experience I have gained will be a very useful  to contribution to the team.