Description

CYW – Classic Yachts Woodwork is a Portuguese company dedicated to the construction and restoration of classic wooden boats. The company uses traditional ship carpentry techniques.

The funds raised through this campaign will finance the final phase of construction of the first unit of the Elegante 23 model, a mahogany runabout based on 1942 designs.

The main structure of the vessel is already completed, including elements such as the keel, frames, bow, transom panel, and longitudinal reinforcements. The funding will allow for the purchase of missing materials and cover operational costs until the project is completed.

This type of vessel, known as a Classic Mahogany Runabout, is built using traditional techniques and a high level of craftsmanship, aiming to honour well-established practices in classic boatbuilding.

The decision to move forward with this model came after a market analysis identified interest from several potential buyers, including tour operators, hotels, sailing clubs, and private individuals.

The project aims to contribute to the preservation and appreciation of traditional wooden boatbuilding, reviving artisanal techniques with decades of history.

The Impact

• Preservation of cultural heritage: The rise of fiberglass boats and increasing global competition have led to a sharp decline in the traditional boatbuilding industry in recent years. In its National Ocean Strategy, the Portuguese Direção-Geral da Política do Mar identifies the loss of maritime heritage and patrimony as a key weakness of the current Portuguese marine economy. The strategy recommends increased investment to preserve and revitalize these traditions. This funding will allow the company to construct its first wooden boat, positioning itself as one of the few remaining boatyards in Portugal dedicated to wooden boatbuilding—ensuring this cultural craft continues into the future.
• Job creation in an underserved traditional portuguese craft: The company’s core mission is to preserve the art of naval carpentry. To support this goal, Rui—the owner and an experienced boatbuilder—plans to hire and train an additional worker, passing on valuable knowledge while creating fair employment opportunities.
• Promotion of sustainable use of raw materials: Committed to sustainability, the company blends expert craftsmanship with advanced Computer Numerical Control (CNC) cutting technology—automated machinery that enhances precision and efficiency. This approach maximizes material use and significantly reduces waste. All wood is responsibly sourced from FSC-certified suppliers (Forest Stewardship Council), a globally recognized organization that promotes sustainable forest management. Offcuts are thoughtfully repurposed for smaller components and side projects, further minimizing environmental impact.
• Promotion of local partnerships: All companies involved in the boatbuilding process—including mechanics, electricians, and other specialists—are small, locally based businesses within the marine economy ecosystem. By engaging with these partners, the project supports the local economy, strengthens community ties, and has the potential to generate additional employment opportunities within the sector.

Impact Indicators

1

jobs created

Contribution to the Sustainable
Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

Financial viability

Download the Financial Statements for the promoter here

Download Key Investment Information Sheet

Guarantees

The loans granted to the promoter CYW CLASSIC YACHTS WOODWORK, UNIPESSOAL LDA by investors will be secured, as provided for in the loan agreements associated with the campaign, by the following:

• Personal guarantee ("letra com aval") from quotaholder, Sandra Cristina da Silva Antunes, with the following NIPC  213981149.

The Promoter

About CYW Classic Yachts Woodwork, Unipessoal Lda

CYW – Classic Yachts Woodwork was founded in 2025 by Rui Caldeira, a shipwright, and Sandra Silva, responsible for marketing and communication.

The company was born from a desire to preserve and apply classic boatbuilding techniques, to develop vessels that reflect the quality of artisanal craftsmanship.

The team

Rui Caldeira

Naval Carpenter and Shipbuilding

Rui began working as a carpenter at the age of 13 in Vila Franca de Xira, by the Tagus River. At 15, he built his first boat - a discarded Vaurien. He went on to become a captain and skipper of classic sailboats, combining ocean navigation with naval carpentry. In 2016, he fully dedicated himself to the construction and restoration of classic vessels, having learned from master boatbuilders across several countries. Since 2018, he has carried out projects in Portugal, Spain, Scandinavia, and the United States in the luxury and leisure nautical industry.

Sandra Antunes

Marketing and Communications

Sandra was born in Lisbon and lives in Ericeira. She began her career in market prospection, later joining one of Europe’s leading marketing agencies at 23, where she worked on flagship campaigns like Euro 2004. With a strong foundation in communication and marketing, she now brings that expertise to the local hospitality sector.

Business Model

Updates