John S Hill Boatbuilders

John S Hill Boat Builders is an independent company that has been trading for 25 years.

John Hill was an apprentice at James A Silvers in the 60's and worked in McGruers Boat Builders prior to starting up his own company in 1974.

John has a small dedicated team who have over 90 years of experience between them in building, repairing and restoring boats: Wooden boats being their speciality.

They have restored 3 Mylne Class Island design boats that can still be seen racing in the Clyde to this day. One of them, 'Cara,' won the McGruer classic boat weekend concourse of Elegance.

They have restored 'Maid of Lorne', another Mylne classic boat who won the concourse of Elegance July 2009. Another successful repair and restoration project was 'Varne', the last wooden boat Moodys built.

John and his team strive to give a high standard of work at all times in both wooden and GRP work.

John has no hesitation in giving advice to boat owners who are keen to participate in repairing and maintaining their own. Advice is free but don't forget the cakes !

The Quality Remains

John Hill & Hugh Collins are craftsmen of note

The men that you want when fixing your boat

But wanting and getting are two different things

And the job isn't over, til the fat lady sings

Chorus

You're launching Saturday, that's a joke

Big Johns off sick and the tractor's broke

Your hopes of going sailing have just gone down the drain

But when the price is forgotten the quality remains

In the burgh of Renfrew they practise their trade

In Clyde River Boatyard just down from Braehead

Gelshield or fibreglass, painting or wood

Whatever the job, the quality's good

With Ally and Robert and young John as well

Be it Varne or Clyde class they're working like hell

While Johns out at Johnstone or some other gaff

Well out of contact with his mobile switched aff

The poor old black Nissan is no longer seen

Replaced by a van in a smart shade of green

With plenty of room for tools, screws and wood

And mileage per gallon that's really quite good

To the tune Island in the Sun (Belafonte)

Lyrics by Murray