David Hillyard & David Hillyard Yachts Ltd.
David Hillyard started to build yachts in 1920. He continued to build and design from then on until 1978. During that time he built around 800 yachts ranging from 2.5 tons to 28 tons Thames measurement. All these vessels were built in the same location at Littlehampton in West Sussex in the United Kingdom.
Though of traditional wood construction these vessels were standardized sizes and types to a great extent and the yard was quite capable turning out vessels at a rate of one per week and did so at the height of demand. They did this not by cutting corners but by careful maximization of the use of every trick of series production. David Hillyard was an early advocate of economy through proper use of series production techniques and is a clear demonstration that efficient series boatbuilding did not start with fiberglass, nor are many of today's fiberglass boats good reflections of how series production can be used to turn out high quality at moderate prices.
All the Hillyard yachts have a distinct look with a good amount of freeboard and a moderate amount of very smooth carefully done sheer. While the smallest models were transom sterned with outboard rudders, most of the better known designs were heavy displacement long keeled short ended vessels with canoe sterns. Their proportions are near ideal for serious cruising, living aboard, and ocean voyaging. The Hillyard yachts have always been well built and of moderate price. They have the reputation of solid construction and good behavior at sea. They are very often used for family ocean voyaging, for which they seem ideal. Mr. Hillyard was very concerned to produce vessels that would be comfortable long term liveaboards that were easy to handle in a wide range of conditions and safe for family crews in the widest possible range of conditions.
These vessels were well built originally and even the oldest seem to keep on proving that good quality construction not only lasts but minimizes the amount of work that must be done to keep them an very good condition. Many of these boats have been in the same families for long periods and many owners of Hillyard boats have come back to Hillyard for subsequent yachts. Often their children have done the same.
There is a Hillyard Owners Association which can be recommended to those who wish to know more about these vessels and those sailing them. The members tend to be very proud of their boats and have a family feeling toward others who also have Hillyard boats.
Although Mr. Hillyard died a number of years ago now the yard not only still exists but is still in the family and still not only keeps the Hillyard designed and built boats in top condition when they are brought by for work but also is still building boats.
The firm's excellent work and reputation was recognized during the second world war when David Hillyard was created a Member of the British Empire for his excellence in fulfilling admiralty contracts for the war effort.
After world war two Dennis Cullingford, Mr. Hillyard's nephew, joined the firm and contributed to the design and building from then on. Upon David Hillyard's death Mr. Cullingford became head of the firm. Mr. Cullingford has been joined in the firm by his son Simon. The long service in the operation of Mr. Hillyard himself and Dennis Cullingford is reportedly typical of the operation in that many of the people who work there have been with the firm their entire working lives.