Jones Boatyard

26/10/2026

After several years as part of the Jones Boatyard team, it's time to say a fond farewell to Gary, who is swapping life at the boatyard for a new adventure with Royal Mail.

Gary joined us just a couple of weeks before Covid struck, initially helping to keep the marina grounds looking their best. Before long, he became a familiar and friendly face in the chandlery and office, as well as spending the colder winter months antifouling and maintaining boats.

Always ready with a smile, a joke and a good laugh, Gary has been a much-valued member of the team, and his cheerful personality will certainly be missed around the yard.

From all of us at Jones Boatyard, a big thank you for all your hard work over the years. We wish you every happiness in your new role, and hope you'll still pop in for a chat from time to time. Good luck, Gary.

24/10/2026

17/10/2026

The RNLI Quiz night is coming up next Friday 23rd October at the Ivy Leaf in St. Ives…get down there for a fun popular night, all for a fantastic cause.

05/10/2026

Jones Boatyard ~ Your Premium Mooring on the River Great Ouse ⚓︎

Nestled beside the historic market town of St Ives, Jones Boatyard ...

02/10/2026

From boats to board games

Most of you know me as boatyard Ben, but for the past two years I've also been working on something very different.

My friend Rob Kinnear (the artist) and I (the game designer) have created a family card game called Shih Tzu! You compete to build the most prestigious zoo, outwit your rivals and avoid one very troublesome Shih Tzu.

After more than 100 playtests and countless tweaks, it's exciting to finally see it become a finished game. It's for 2–5 players aged 10+, with illustrated animal cards, holographic Star Animals, engraved wooden card racks, tokens, bags, a card tray and plenty more.

Fittingly, the games are arriving by boat. They're at sea now and expected in November, in time for Christmas. We're taking preorders at the Founders' price of £29.95 (£34.95 after launch, UK delivery only).

If you're looking for a truly original Christmas present for a family who loves animals, games and a bit of friendly rivalry, I'd be very grateful if you took a look:

https://average-bear.games

Thanks for letting me share a little of what I've been doing away from the boats!

Ben

24/09/2026

Same spot, same seal? Our regular visitor is back, looking rather different and appears to be going through her annual moult and changing into the grey winter coat.

This is clearly her current favourite spot, which is handy when she decides to leave us a little present, as it’s right next to the hot wash!

14/09/2026

He’s not all about the birds!....here are a few of Rob’s non-feathered subjects from around the boatyard over the last year, stoats, mice, dragonflies, caterpillars and one rather unfortunate-looking mitten crab...and he just couldn’t help slipping a barn owl in there.

08/09/2026

Rob the Swan Man to the rescue! 🦢

Nature can be cruel sometimes. This young swan, probably only around a year old, came into the boatyard today but unfortunately wasn’t made very welcome by our resident large male, who was viciously attacking it.

The youngster eventually escaped and ended up wandering, rather distressed, down Low Road.

Thankfully Rob came to the rescue and, rather more bravely than I would have, managed to pick him up! We took him by boat down to the Town Quay, which was surprisingly quiet on the swan front, and released him back onto the river where hopefully he can find some more welcoming company.

A good deed for the day. Thanks Rob!

05/09/2026

Walking around the marina this afternoon, we spotted this rather relaxed visitor making themselves at home on the cleaning bay pontoon!

Clearly there’s no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than stretched out by the water, soaking up the sunshine and watching the boats go by ☀️⚓️

We think they’ve got the right idea! 🦭💤

29/08/2026

Supporting the future of the River Great Ouse

Yesterday we were pleased to welcome our local MP, Ben Obese-Jecty MP, to Jones Boatyard for a meeting with Nigel Morris and Mike Starnes from the Great Ouse Boating Association (GOBA).

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss some of the important challenges facing the River Great Ouse, including the condition of the St Ives sluice/staunch, the responsibilities of the Environment Agency and the wider issue of funding for the maintenance of our waterways.

During the meeting, they took the opportunity to visit the St Ives sluice by boat to see some of the issues first-hand.

Our thanks to our MP Ben Obese-Jecty for giving his time and consideration to these important local issues, and to Nigel, Mike and everyone at GOBA for continuing to represent the interests of those who use and care about the Great Ouse.

A special thanks also to Rob from the boatyard for acting as skipper and helping with the visit and photographs.