Scrapping a Forgotten Westerly GK24

Scrapping a Forgotten Westerly GK24 from a Portsmouth Yard

Portsmouth boatyards hold plenty of hidden histories. But some vessels have clearly been left to weather the elements a little too long. That was certainly the case with our latest rescue mission: an old, unloved yacht resting quietly in a local yard.

Judging by the state of the deck, this boat hadn’t been touched or cared for in a number of years. A thick layer of heavy lichen growth coated her exterior, giving her that classic, melancholic look of a vessel forgotten by time. While we couldn’t be 100% certain of her lineage, our team believes she was a classic Westerly GK24. A sturdy British-built design that deserved a much better fate than slowly rotting away in the corner of a yard.

Re-useable Treasure

Even though her exterior looked thoroughly worse for wear, beauty is often skin-deep in our line of work. Before she was processed, our team carefully stripped her down to salvage whatever reusable treasures remained. We managed to pull off some fantastic, hardy items straight from the deck, including reliable winches and quality deck organisers that still had plenty of life left in them for another project.

Logistics are always half the battle when dealing with abandoned boats. The trailer she was sitting on was completely unroadworthy and far too unsafe to tow on public roads. Not a problem for the Boatbreakers fleet. We dispatched our trusty Hiab truck straight to the scene. With its hydraulic crane and skilled operator, we safely hoisted the tired yacht off her rickety cradle and securely loaded her onto our transport, ready for her final journey.

Cleared Yard

It’s always bittersweet seeing an old classic come to the end of the line. But knowing we saved usable parts from waste and cleared space in a busy Portsmouth yard makes it all worthwhile.

Got a boat taking up space or a yard clearance project? Get in touch with Boatbreakers today to see how our collection service can help.