Over the years, F.J.Darley Traditional Shipwrights’ team has grown to employ experienced and qualified shipwrights who provide top quality repairs and restoration for private and commercial timber, fibreglass and steel vessels. During this time they have undertaken some of Victoria’s largest and smallest restorations, from 200’ Sydney ferries to H28s. F.J.Darley has made associations with Bury design (naval architects) and Philip McIntyre (shipwright) to develop a fibreglass composite, repair, design and build team, enabling them to professionally enter into the architecturally engineered fibreglass composite, repair and construction field.
F.J.Darley Traditional Shipwrights’ premises include full-scale shed facilities for comprehensive indoor repairs and restorations, as well as on the water facilities that enable the shipwrights to work out the front of their workshop or haul out and launch vessels from the quay or we can come to you!
Ferdi Darley
Ferdi was born in Melbourne, but grew up in Adelaide. When Ferdi was 21 he left Australia and travelled to England and began work for Square Sail Ltd (at this time based in Bristol). This was when he realised he had found his passion! Working up from ‘decky’ to ‘bosun’ to ‘first mate’ alternating on Kaskelot (Three Masted Barque), Earl of pembroke (Three Masted Barque), Pheonix ( Brigantine), and Carrie (Schooner), he sailed around the globe for 7 years. He met Wendy in Costa Rica when she joined as cook on Carrie. They married and were based in Bristol as Ferdi began his Shipwrighting Apprenticeship with T. Nielsen and Co.Ltd in Gloucester Docks. After serving his time (4 years), plus an extra 2 years, Ferdi and Wendy decided to move to Cornwall, and Ferdi worked for Robin Davies again (Square Sail Ltd) as his right hand man for a couple of years. In this time Ferdi and Wendy decided to move to Melbourne, Australia. His first job was fitting out the aft accommodation on the Polly Woodside, and from there the rest is history as he continued to build the business to what it is today.
Wendy Darley
Wendy was born in the U.K, but grew up in Doha, Qatar in her early years. Later educated in the U.K - Wendy completed her Pru Leith’s diploma in cookery and began her career as cook. She travelled extensively from Italy as a chalet girl, chef on yachts in the Mediterranean, and travelled through Asia and Australia for a few years; to finally be based in London - cooking for bands at Metropolis Studios, the Power House in Chiswick, during the late 80’s early 90’s. However, travel beckoned again, and she flew to Costa Rica to become joint cook on Carrie for Square Sail Ltd, sailing back to Bristol. Wendy met Ferdi on this trip and they married soon after. They have two boys Rupert and Toban. The family moved to Australia in 2001. Wendy slipped into the role of book keeper for Ferdi’s business, and also works in the business whenever needed. Rupert is now in his 3rd year apprenticeship with his father, and Toban has begun his journey as an apprentice carpenter.
Tom mangan
Phil McIntyre
Phil McIntyre was born in Adelaide and met Ferdi in the final years of school. Phil left for England with Ferdi when he was 19. He also worked for Square Sail Ltd, and also found his passion! He sailed for 3 years and then decided to go to Denmark and do an apprenticeship with. In that time he met his wife Mette. After a few years in Denmark they decided to move to Sydney, Austarlia and lived on Scotland Island and worked for Bechal’s at Church Point, Pittwater. Two years later they moved back to Denmark with their daughter, Emma, where Phil began his own business working on super yachts all over Europe. They had their second daughter Clara and after many years they moved to Pattaya, Thailand, where Phil ran a danish Company making tenders for super yachts. The family eventually moved to Melbourne Australia, and Phil worked with Ferdi over the next few years. Phil has now moved into the Wind Turbine business, but still remains very close and even comes to get his hands dirty again occasionally!