W Trout & Son Ltd
Ferry Road, Topsham, Exeter, Devon EX3 0JJ
Directors: M.L. Trout, M.D. Trout & L.M.M. Trout
Company Registration no: 04619521
W. Trout & Son Ltd is a family business offering a full boatyard service undertaking all kinds of work to new and old boats. And if we are not working on your boat then we are probably playing on ours - we are boat people through and through! With a mix of traditional skills rooted in our 120 years of boat building and repairing history and the latest training our team can tackle any job. See below for more on the individual skills and experience we have to offer.
Mark Trout – Director
Mark started working with his father & grandfather while still at school, went to Falmouth College and did the Yacht, Boatbuilding & Design course in 1986 – 87. Mark’s first project after leaving college was to design and build the wooden Exe 20. Since then he has worked alongside Michael, building, repairing, painting, rigging the many different types of boats that have come through the yard. Mark is now managing the boatyard and developing the business in new directions.
At every opportunity Mark is found out on the water wake boarding, wind surfing and kite sailing.
Heidi Trout - Company Secretary
Heidi married Mark in 1991 and has worked in many business before bringing her many talents to join Trout’s in 2000. Heidi is in charge of the everyday administration for the boatyard and is usually the person who answers the phone in the first instance.
Heidi is a qualified Yacht Broker having completed an Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents' course in 2004.
Heidi enjoys sailing, wakeboarding, the gym alongside running Mark and their daughters, Holly and Zoe.
Michael Trout - Director
Mike started work at the age of 15 in the workshop which is now the front bar of the Lighter Inn. 
Michael was
apprenticed to his father and grandfather for 5 years, learning all the wooden boat building skills he still uses at home today, 50 years later. Now retired!
When the business moved over to Ferry Road, Michael helped his father build the quay alongside the yard. With the introduction of fibre glass to the boat building world, Michael started the production of the Exe 17s, Raleigh Dinghies, fitting out bigger boats and repairs in the new material alongside the wood which is still his first love.
Lynn Trout – Director
Lynn married Michael in 1965 after falling at his feet in Topsham mud! In 1986 Lynn started to assist Daniel with the administration taking over by 1988. Lynn has now passed the every day paperwork to Heidi and is left with the more challenging administrative tasks and Saturday mornings in the office.
David Richards
Dave learnt his boatbuilding skills locally and then worked around the yards, including Marine Projects in Plymouth for 
11 years before moving over the world of printing at Wheatons (Marsh Barton) for 19 years. When made redundant Dave decided it was time to get back into the boatbuilding and happened upon our job vacancy.
Dave has varied interests that include walking, most water sports and outdoor fitness. He is keen on D.I.Y. Dave teaches swimming to children and takes military fitness classes for PHYS Group. He was in the Territorial Army until 2002.
Marine Engineers, Joel Tucker & Vinnie Neath-Roger feature on their own page, click here to find out more about our engineering services.
