Best Place for Refit/Upgrades in Caribbean?

[boatman61]

St Martin..
On French side as you go in there's a fuel dock and Chandlery to starboard before the bridge.. pop in there and they'll point you to S African guy who does SS Fabrication (if he's still there) the guy is an artist and he knocked me up a Solar/Dinghy/Windgen SS Arch $2K less than anyone Dutch side..
One man show so lower overheads.
Another reason for SMX is its got 2 massive Chandlers assessable by dinghy.. mind.. just about everywhere you need is a dinghy ride away.. including an International airport.

[Ribbit]

Originally Posted by Princessoftides

I personally was very happy with Granada marine in Grenada. There is all the possible repair shop you will need such as sail maker, electronics, and stainless steel. In addition it is located in a very well protected area which eliminates totally the risk of hurricane damages.
I had my boat in St Marteen for one summer season, and the work done there was well under standard .

Ty for that. Looks to be the perfect guy there to do my bimini/solar panel frame.

[Ribbit]

Originally Posted by boatman61

St Martin..
On French side as you go in there's a fuel dock and Chandlery to starboard before the bridge.. pop in there and they'll point you to S African guy who does SS Fabrication (if he's still there) the guy is an artist and he knocked me up a Solar/Dinghy/Windgen SS Arch $2K less than anyone Dutch side..
One man show so lower overheads.
Another reason for SMX is its got 2 massive Chandlers assessable by dinghy.. mind.. just about everywhere you need is a dinghy ride away.. including an International airport.

Wow thanks Boaty! I hope he's still there.

[sailon46]

St. Maarten
That's where budget marine headquarters are and island world and people that do everything you need
Ernie on the Mary jane

[adlib2]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Pretty hard to beat St. Maarten

I agree wholeheartedly. While being Duty Free it also has good chandlers, hardware stores, all tradesmen, many aluminum/SS fabricators, sail-makers, and boat yards in the Simpson Bay Area. You'll lack for nothing and ample anchorage on the French side for $10/yr. Economical WiFi coverage of whole Island.
Good restaurants, bars and nightlife, economical car rentals, purchases of jewelry, computers, cameras and airlines for direct flights to Europe and N.A.

[david knowles]

Marsh Harbor has the best hardware store in the Bahamas Don't remember the name

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Triumphant

Rio Dulce Guatemala

The Rio is a great option. There is a thread here already discussing refits in the Rio, OP should give that a read.

Given that OP plans to head for the Pacific, the Rio at least gets him further West...a bit further than necessary, but there is nowhere better for a refit in the W Carib.

I was planning to head there "next year" for a major refit, but...crap its already next year...maybe in 2017.

[Gerrit Coetzee]

Originally Posted by Princessoftides

I personally was very happy with Granada marine in Grenada. There is all the possible repair shop you will need such as sail maker, electronics, and stainless steel. In addition it is located in a very well protected area which eliminates totally the risk of hurricane damages.
I had my boat in St Marteen for one summer season, and the work done there was well under standard .

I am about to do semi-urgent transom damage and propeller repair in St.Maarten. please state with which yard you were unhappy with. It is important to me.

[Gerrit Coetzee]

With which boat yard are you unhappy with in St.Maarten?

(I need semi-urgent work on transom and propeller damage). Knowing which pitfalls to avoid beforehand , will be advice well received.

[Gerrit Coetzee]

Originally Posted by boatman61

St Martin..
On French side as you go in there's a fuel dock and Chandlery to starboard before the bridge.. pop in there and they'll point you to S African guy who does SS Fabrication (if he's still there) the guy is an artist and he knocked me up a Solar/Dinghy/Windgen SS Arch $2K less than anyone Dutch side..
One man show so lower overheads.
Another reason for SMX is its got 2 massive Chandlers assessable by dinghy.. mind.. just about everywhere you need is a dinghy ride away.. including an International airport.

Thank you for the advice. Well received.

[Student_Driver]

How are the labor rates per hour in these locations... Ballpark relative to New England pricing?

[slug]

The problem with st maarten is that the place is grubby , some years dangerous

Nothing wrong with Antigua slipway

A lot depends on the type of work you need and the time of year

Puerto Rico is also a decent choice