“Many of the people who own boats lead demanding lives and require their investments to be properly maintained in the best possible manner with a minimum amount of fuss. They expect high quality, timely, trustworthy and professional attitudes to their demands. Michael Bartley Shipwrights provides this rarely found level of service.”

David Ritchie, client of 30 years and owner of Ku-Ring-Gai.

To Begin 

Michael has spent the good part of the last few decades thinking about boats, looking at boats, working on boats, and sailing on boats. Michael completed his apprenticeship at Cockatoo Island when it was in its heyday, learning from and working alongside a vast array of iconic shipwrights and tradespeople alike, graduating in 1986. Michael then went on to work at many historic Sydney Harbour boat sheds, including Sailors Bay Boat Shed, Woodleys in Berrys Bay and Snails Bay Boat Shed, before stepping out on his own in 1993. He established workshops at various locations across Sydney Harbour, with many of his clients following him from workshop to workshop. 

For Michael, boat building is described best as a labour of love. Throughout his career, Michael has had the privilege and honour of maintaining the history of many iconic Sydney Harbour vessels, both of timber and modern composite construction. His clientele range from ex-prime ministers to boating enthusiasts, all of whom have a shared love and appreciation of their boats and the immense effort required in maintaining them. This connection with the client and vessel alike is what drives Michael to do what he loves.

Michael has been immersed in the day to day workings of Sydney Harbour for over 35 years. He holds a unique perspective of experiencing the harbour for both work and leisure. Working throughout numerous boat sheds on the waterfront to sailing himself and following his two daughters through multiple amateur sailing classes, Michael has observed and lived the ever changing landscape of Sydney Harbour. Boats that were once new and modern are now classics, techniques that were once cutting edge are now standard practice and boats that were once the workhorses of Sydney Harbour are now luxurious day boats. 

For Michael, there is no better place to be than on Sydney Harbour. Michael has experienced first-hand the different facets of Sydney Harbour. The competitive, fast paced nature of amateur and professional sailing, the working side fueled by development and industry and the more laid back and slow-paced leisurely aspect of Sydney Harbour. In Michael's opinion, all of these unique facets have, over time, come together to form a unique playground for young and old, where the super wealthy and everyday person can come together to enjoy a shared backyard and a common love for all things boats.  

The Middle

In 2002 Michael and his partner Catriona officially began Michael Bartley Shipwrights, operating out of Woolwich Marina. Michael and Catriona hold a unique perspective on what encompasses boating. They have been the custodians of numerous wooden boats throughout their 37 years together, moving from boat to boat as their lives changed and family grew from two to four. This unique perspective allows for the team at Michael Bartley Shipwrights to develop creative, practical and beautiful solutions to issues faced by all clients who walk through their door.

Michael's high level of expertise, skill, knowledge, industry contacts and management abilities, accumulated through his many years in the trade, enables him to manage projects of all scales efficiently. The team at Michael Bartley Shipwrights applies the same level of professionalism and attention to detail, regardless of the project's size, complexity, or expense.

Along the way, Michael has endeavoured to forge an environment of learning, experimentation and growth within the boat building industry. Taking on numerous apprentices throughout his career and working closely with industry leaders to help preserve and progress the tradition of wooden boat building with the new and evolving work of composites which are proving to shape the boat building industry. A testament to Michael's core philosophy of education is reflected in the number of apprentices who stay on to work for him once they become tradespeople, with some returning after leaving to work elsewhere.

Michael and Catriona understand the love affair that one has with boats. One does not buy a boat with their head but rather their heart. This in-depth understanding of the emotional connection one has with boats, coupled with the practical and functional knowledge of what is required to maintain and service these beautiful vessels we love so dearly, makes them the ideal people to help care for your floating family member.

The magic of boats lies in the details. To take the romantic ideals one has for their folly and turn it into reality takes time, energy, pure love and understanding for boating in all its forms. It is the attention to the little details that truly transform these romantic visions. Owning a boat is romance in its purest form. When you love something in such an irrational and overpowering way, you need to entrust her to a team of specialists who are willing to care for and maintain her with the same level of love which you possess. Michael Bartley Shipwrights has both the skills and managerial ability to manage every project, no matter the scale or complexity of the task.