My name is Paul Simpson,

I was thirteen when I had my first boat (it was a tin bath!). I would take it down to the stream, and would cruise down in the current; I enjoyed every moment! One day as I cruised down under a big dark road bridge and out into the bright sunlight, I had the shock of my life – my brother had seen me and was waiting with a big boulder! As I came through he laughed, and threw it down causing such a big wave that I capsized, by the time I got out, he’d scarpered, but we did laugh about it later!

My second boat came later in life when I was thirty.  It was 1993, and I bought a second-hand 70ft narrowboat, ‘Katy Beth’.  I was so excited, she was an ok boat, but after six months I decided to make some changes to her, and as always decided to do it myself, from woodwork to painting.  It wasn’t easy, but I persevered!

I later sold ‘Katy Beth’ and bought a new shell from Liverpool, designing my own fit-out and style. When I finished, I had lots of interest, and it sold very quickly, which led me to start my next project ‘Boat Number Two’ which sold before I had it completed!
From this point on, the company grew and grew. We exhibited at the Crick Boat Show four times, coming second twice and winning twice!
At this point, we were building at least 6 boats a year.