17th January 2026:
KC Rebuild Phase 2

17th January 2026:
KC Rebuild Phase 2

KC was taken out of the water on the Old Mill covered slipway on Thursday 8th January. Work is continuing apace on Phase 2 of her major rebuild. This will include renewing the steelwork strake of the hull just below the deck forward of the paddle box both sides and renewing all the decking from the bridge to the bow.

Here are some pictures of the project taken on 15th January 2026.

Foredeck planks and other woodwork removed from KC.
KC’s port side foredeck railings.
Looking aft port side in the covered slipway.
On deck looking aft.
New steelwork as the foundation for the wooden deck forward of the bridge looking towards the bow starboard side.
On deck looking towards the bow.
Looking towards the bow and down into the forward saloon.
Sponson with deck planks removed forward port side.
Looking up to the underside of the sponson forward of the paddle box port side.
Forward saloon looking towards the forward bulkhead and area where the lavatories are fitted..
In the forward saloon looking up and towards the starboard side.
KC’s life rafts.
Douglas Fir deck planks machined and ready to go down.
Part of KC’s safety kit with new deck planks behind.
Stuart in charge of the mammoth task of keeping all the varnish work up to scratch.
The varnishing shop.
Director of Engineering and mastermind for the rebuild Paul Merrington.

We are still fundraising for the final push for Phase 2 of the rebuild.

Do help if you can: Support Us – Kingswear Castle

Thank you.

Kingswear Castle returned to service in 2023 after the first part of a major rebuild which is designed to set her up for the next 25 years running on the River Dart. The Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust is now fund raising for the second phase of the rebuild. You can read more about the rebuilds and how you can help if you can here.

John Megoran

John Megoran