Built by Ben Harris & Co at Restronguet, Cornwall, she was launched in 2011. Alva is a 30ft Gaff cutter yacht, designed by Paul Gartside along the lines of the later Falmouth Quay Punts. She is fast, seaworthy and immensely strong, with full headroom and accommodation for three adults and two children. Construction is larch on laminated pitch pine and steamed oak frames. Cedar decks, cabin-sides and capping rail are iroko, cockpit and trim are teak, pitch pine interior and bronze and copper fastened throughout. Having had a grounding on the reef at Trefusis in Falmouth during a storm, she has recently undergone repairs to her frames and planking and has now been refitted with a new interior. She looks spectacular.