Surveys on Wooden Boats, Classic Yachts, GRP Yachts & Power Boats.
Kathleen Kilbey & Associates – Marine Surveyors specialising in Timber and Classic Yacht Surveys since 1989.
What We Do
Pre-purchase Full-Condition Surveys, on classic timber yachts and traditional GRP yachts, motor yachts and power boats.
Insurance condition reports and Valuations for Marine Insurance & finance.
Damage Reports for insurance – resulting from accident or storm-damage.
Classic Boat Restoration-Assessment in order to build a work schedule and costings for re-building of classic or traditional vessels.
We survey modern GRP yachts prior to purchase and we provide advice and recommendations on the suitability of a particular yacht for your specified purpose. We work closely with our clients and their vendors to assist in the best possible outcome for our clients. Our job is to report on the condition and suitability of a particular yacht in an unbiased manner.
Construction and Repair Supervision; on classic, timber, steel and GRP vessels.
Sea-trials and Engine Trials of new and used vessels
Yacht Deliveries. Delivery of sailing and Power vessels from UK to Europe and the Med.
What we have done in the past
A full member of RINA since 1992, Kathleen Kilbey has personally surveyed in excess of 2,000 timber boats and some 3,000 GRP and Steel, Ferro,Alloy and composite vessels, since commencing her surveying career in the mid 1980’s.
During almost 30 years in practice, in addition to surveying sailing yachts, we have also surveyed many large powerboats such as a Riva 55 on the River Thames some years back. For this sea-trial, special permission had to be obtained from the Port of London Authority to make a run at full speed – in excess of 35 knots. We have also delivered a number of large yachts to the Mediterranian area over the years.
Since 1989 as well as many production GRP yachts, we have surveyed a large number of historic motor and sailing vessels, in recent years these include the 130ft Ex Royal Navy Minesweeper HMS Egeria; A 1910 65ft Timber Ex Royal Navy Steam-Pinnace “Barbary-T”; the Dunkirk little ship “Our Lizzie” and a 65 ft Ferro-Cement Motor vessel – to name but a few.
In 2014 we had the pleasure of inspecting the last remaining Charles E Nicholson Victorian “Big Yacht” still at large. “Brynhild “ latterly known as “Blackswan1899” was inspected for a potential purchasing syndicate. This historic Camper & Nicholson yacht was built for Major John Selwyn Calverly, prime-minister Disraeli’s son-in law in 1899 and she beat the Kaiser’s yacht “Meteor” at the Keil Regatta prior to World War 1. This yacht is still an ongoing potential restoration project looking for funding. please see the Blackswan1899 project website for contact details.
Who We Are
Our Marine Survey Practice was started in 1989 by Kathleen (Kathy) Kilbey I.Eng MRINA. A lifelong sailor, Kathy Kilbey is herself an experienced Yacht skipper (30+ years) and holds RYA Yachtmaster and ICC certification for both power and sailing leisure vessels up to 24 metres / 65ft LOA (80 tons GT).
Kathy Kilbey also had many years experience of maintaining her own classic “Buchanan 11 tonner” timber racing yacht, “Sinbad of Abersoch” which was kept in Lloyds +100A1 class during her 14 year ownership. During that era Sinbad, skippered by Kathy, competed in many RORC ocean racing events, including the Fastnet Race in 1989. Our other practice associates are all keen and experienced sailors and motor-boaters.
About Us
Kathy Kilbey is currently actively involved in helping refurbish and develop Lydney Harbour and its cruising facilities into a major Bristol Channel Sailing destination. Lydney is an interesting and challenging place to sail to and from and is the most Northerly enclosed deep-water harbour on the Severn Estuary. In this context Kathy is currently BCYA Cruiser-Racer Captain and is also Chair of the Lydney Area in Partnership (LAiP), incorporating the Lydney Docks Partnership. Please visit Lydney Online for details of Lydney Harbour and how to get there. Lydney is unique as the Gateway to the Royal Forest of Dean, by virtue of being able to arrive by Road, Rail or Water.
Current Sailing Projects A 1968 Kim Holman designed Northney 34 sloop is currently being restored by Kathy as a retirement project for cruising and racing in the Bristol Channel; please visit the “Severn Wraithe” pages for the full story as it unfolds.