Best Boatyards for Paint Jobs - SE US

[AJ_n_Audrey]

I love my 36 foot Pearson, but she's showing her age. In the last two years my upgrades have been piecemeal to address must-do items like engine over-heat, leaking portlights, non-working VHF, dangerously thin (from repeated sanding) cabin-top grabrails, and the like. But now I am getting to the point, financially, where making the old girl look new again is beginning to look possible and desirable.

My problem is that finding a painting contractor who both is competent and price competitive is tough where I live (southeast North Carolina) because there aren't many choices. I got a quote from a local boatyard, but it was a) expensive, and b) some boat owners who had dealt with that yard told me I'd be sorry if I went with them. From where I am, I can either go north to Oriental / Beaufort, or south to almost anywhere, even Florida. My thought next year is a Bahamas trip departing from Miami (did one this year to the Abacos), so going to FL this Fall / winter might be okay.

So my question is: Who has had a great experience recently with a yard or contractor painting their boat's topsides, and where was it? Anywhere between eastern NC and FL is okay. Any information you would like to share about cost would be appreciated.

By the way, I have painted wooden dinghies with primer and Brightsides, and I can't say I'm very good at it. I'm pretty sure I'd be no better applying Awlgrip, and I'm pretty sure my wife would agree....

All input is welcome.