Frogmore Marine Services is one of the South Ham’s best kept boating secrets. When people think of boating in the South Hams they all too often immediately think of Salcombe and the vast array of marine services on offer there. However; let your mind meander a little further down the stunning Kingsbridge estuary and come to a stop by the very scenic Frogmore Bridge. There you will find Frogmore Marine Services. Next time you’re in need of a service or some winter storage, you’ve had an accident in your boat, or you've acquired a new vessel that needs a little TLC, do remember that not all marine services are based in Salcombe. Frogmore Marine Services is a real hidden gem of a business; a local, family run marine hub that’s pretty much a one stop shop for everything you could possibly need. 

 

southhams.com sat down with Tamsin to find out a little more about Frogmore Marine Services and their expanding services on offer.

 

How did Frogmore Marine Services come about?

 

It all started many years ago with a gentleman’s agreement between Robin East of Chester’s Marine and my Grandfather. Robin was a boat builder and my Grandad would take the boats out of the water at the end of the season and store them here in the yard. Robin wanted to retire in 2007 and not wanting that to be the end of it in Frogmore; my dad decided to take on Frogmore Boatyard. We amalgamated what my Grandfather and Robin East had been doing into one business. We then re-branded to Frogmore Marine Services in 2013. Offering all the same services just under a new name.

 

Tell us a little about the rest of the team

 

Frogmore Marine services is very much a local, family business. There’s me; Tamsin - I’m the first point of contact as I answer the phones and do all the admin and organising so the boys can get on with hands on stuff in the yard. There’s my husband Jason,  the marine engineer, and there’s my dad Garry Elliott, who helps with moving boats, hauling out & launching and pretty much anything else we need a hand with! 

 

We’re very excited to tell you that we have recently employed a highly skilled GRP repairer. He’s very clever and can do fibreglass and gellcoat repairs to an astonishing finish. Anything from fixing something to building something from scratch. He also does the polishing too. With fibreglass repair and gelcoat repair. The actual repair is only part of the work. It’s the polishing that really makes the difference. Without very clever polishing you will most definitely see the repair. When Adrian does the repair and polishes it you won’t see a thing! This means we are now able to do insurance work.  If you’ve had an accident out on the water we can provide quotes for your insurance company. We have a lovely new van which has been beautifully signwritten by Future Client in Kingsbridge and Adrian is fully mobile and can come to you when necessary, whether to do the quote or the work. Adrian used to work at Princess Yachts in Plymouth, amongst other businesses within the marine industry and is therefore used to working to a very high standard. We think he’s the only person in the area who can do fibreglass and gelcoat repairs to this standard and that’s why the insurance companies are happy to use him.

 

Apart from GRP Repairs what other services do you offer?

 

It would be easier to tell you what we don’t offer! We’ve got secure indoor and outdoor storage. We live onsite so the boats are closely watched at all times - nobody gets passed my curtain twitching! Jason is the marine engineer and does all the servicing and fixing or new engine installations. We antifoul. We have a boat lifter and can lift boats up to about 6 tonnes depending on the boat. We haul out and launch. We can deliver boats to your moorings and we obviously have the GRP repairs now too. Whilst we don’t have an actual chandlery shop anymore we do have many contacts in the chandlery world and can order in almost anything you need quickly and easily - just let us know how we can help. We’re pretty much a one stop shop for everything boat related.

 

It’s worth mentioning that we have John Mcshea the Boatbuilder onsite too. He has his unit here and he’s incredibly skilled with the repair and building of wooden boats. Whatever your boating issue - we’re sure to be able to help. 

 

If you have a boat and are in need of any of the aforementioned services then do give Tamsin a call. She’d love to help in any way she can. You’ll find the contact details on their southhams.com listing