As part of a multi-generational fishing family working out of in Looe, in Cornwall, Adam Hocking’s future was pretty much mapped out for him. But he had other ideas, and 25 years on, he has told why he’s glad he followed his instincts – to the Boat Building Academy (BBA).
“My grandad was the UK’s oldest working sea fisherman and even appeared on TV. Fishing was his life, and he was still working on the boats into his 80s. My dad was also in the family business and so it was just expected I would be too. But I knew early on that my heart wasn’t in it.
“I loved the sea and at school I loved carpentry and design – but every summer that I spent out on our trawlers, just convinced me further that I didn’t want to be a fisherman.
“One of the skippers on my dad’s boat gave me the idea to look into boat building. He knew I wasn’t enjoying fishing, and he suggested I put my passions – boats and the sea – with my skills – carpentry and design.
“I have pretty bad dyslexia and really struggled at school, so the studying part worried me. “Luckily, my mum had been a SEND teacher, and she advised me go to the BBA as it’s practical skills based.”
Adam was 20 when he arrived at the BBA to start the 40-week course.
“It was the year 2000, and Dick Phillips was in charge along with Tim Gedge (founder).
“The moment I stepped into Lyme Regis I just fell in love with it.
“I love the sea and had my first wooden rowing boat the age of 12, so being around all those boat builders was heaven.
“Tim Gedge is a beautiful human, while Dick’s knowledge was incredible, and there wasn’t a day that I wished I was somewhere else.
“Of course, it was hard – but it was a labour of love.
“I loved the carpentry and the hand tools and just took everything in.
“One time, I was making a dovetail joint and realising it wasn’t quite up to scratch, I tried to fill it with some sawdust. Dick just looked at me and simply said: “start again”. He never cut corners, and we couldn’t either.
“I learned so many lessons there, practical lessons – and life lessons.”
He continues: “Being part of a group of all ages and backgrounds, all learning together and creating some wonderful boats is special, and the feeling of leading them down to the water on launch day is something that’s difficult to put into words. It was a joy to be part of.”
When he finished the course, Adam thought about what he would do next and following a period helping on the family trawlers, he began what would become a rapid climb up the ranks of luxury yacht design and production.
“I started at Princess Yachts, where I’d planned to do an apprenticeship, but I needed to earn more to pay off my debts, so I took the role of a laminator, working on aft cabin of the V42 superyacht.
“Very soon after, someone suddenly left who was working above me and I offered management the chance to pay me my same salary for the chance to prove myself.
“Luckily they were impressed with how I handled it and within 18 months, at the age of 23, I was leading the refit team for the galley and saloon.”
From there Adam went to Western Marine Power to manage the build of their contract for Pearl Yachts’ P55 at the age of 25.
Later, he worked for several years as a contractor for boatyards and private customers across the South West.
Nowadays he manages the build of Southerly Yachts which is now part of the mighty Cornwall-based Concept Marine Group, where Adam, now 44, is Head of Production.
He adds: “I went to the BBA with the dream of being a boatbuilder and the skills and values I learned there have enabled to pursue my life’s passion. I couldn’t have asked for more than that.
“Lyme Regis and the Boat Building Academy will always hold a special place in my heart.”
