Big boat haul out

[BillBaxter]

I am looking at a big, old, steel boat.

120 ft x 25ft x 9 ft

It's as old as me and it will be a project, which is exactly what I am looking to do with my time. My issue though, is she is fat and heavy. Almost 400 tons.

I can't seem to find anywhere that I could actually get her hauled out at. She works, and can move to anywhere on the East coast / Caribbean, but I would like to put her in a place I can get her hauled out and I can go to work on her for a few month.

Everything I have owned in the past has been small, easy, and in the Gulf. Does anyone have suggestions for places, or do I need to just commit to relocating her to the Gulf?

Thank you

[Kettlewell]

Maybe give Yank Marine in New Jersey a call: https://www.workboat.com/shipbuildin...e-mid-atlantic

[Jammer]

Hello, Bill. Welcome to the forum.

For a boat of that size, you would be looking for commercial/industrial drydock facilities rather than a haulout with a travelift or crane.

[Pandor]

There are travelifts that do 500 tons and up. Newport Shipyard has one.

[MicHughV]

Right at the mouth of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida is " St. Johns Boat Company"
It's been a few years since I've been there, but besides a travel lift they also have a marine railway system.
I've seen them haul out some impressively big craft there.

A bit further down the the St. Johns River is " Atlantic Marine". They cater to the US navy mostly, but could also haul you.

Further yet, is " " Blount Island" Here you will also find facilities to take your craft.

Lastly, in downtown Jacksonville, also on the St. Johns River, is another shipyard. They have a massive travel lift there, North Florida Shipyards.

I'd start at the top of this list and work you way down. You can google them for phone numbers, etc.

[DougR]

Try Fairlead Marine in Newport News, VA.

[BillBaxter]

I appreciate all the replies. I started in the north and am working my way down with making calls.

For other people in this situation:

In Manie there is Bristol Marine and Front Street Shipyard.

Both have confirmed they can do the haul out. Pricing looks like it will cost as much as the ship though. Currently looking at about $15k just for the haul out, not counting lay days or any bottom paint.

I will try calling some of the mid Atlantic and southern places later this week.

[Fore and Aft]

Bill Baxter I will be interested to see if they ask you for some sort of security deposit. I know a yard here in Queensland that hauled out a monster steel boat like yours. The owner abandoned the project, and the yard was left with cutting the boat up and removing it. Needless to say, it was a huge expense and one they had little chance of getting their money back due to the owner being broke. The yard actually stopped taking big privately owned boats for a while until they had a system worked out where they would not get caught again.
Cheers

[BillBaxter]

We didn't get that far into the discussion, but I can see that being a reasonable request from a yard that is used to doing this type of work only for large companies or governments.


I recently found a couple doing something similar in Europe with a vessel called Flying Coney. They seem to be getting reasonable prices, but I am not sure the weight of their vessel.

[Bowdrie]

You're in Texas?
The Battleship Texas is coming out of drydock.
They might have some open time for the drydock.
If you need to be out of the water for months that'll pose problems.

[hpeer]

Yank Marine Services
Tuckahoe, NJ
NORTH shore of the Delaware River, not far in, on the Maurice River.
820 TON TRAVEL LIFT
609-628-2928

The most recent sounding show about 8', but the tidal range is 6'.

If there is a remaining middle of nowhere in NJ, this is it. Still an hours drive will bring you into industrial areas.

[David Mathis]

Shelburne Shipyard, now Safe Harbors Shelburne, on Lake Champlain a couple miles south of Burlington, VT hauls the lake ferrys so your boat shouldn't be a problem for them.

[BillBaxter]

Bowdrie, while I am in Texas, the vessel is currently in the Great Lakes.

David Mathis, I will have to give them a call.

[Kettlewell]

Where in the Great Lakes is it located and what is it?

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by BillBaxter

Bowdrie, while I am in Texas, the vessel is currently in the Great Lakes.

David Mathis, I will have to give them a call.

If in the great lakes you will be heading South and there is a shipyard in Shelbourne Nova Scotia, if you are not allergic to Canadians.

I can not find the max size haul out but it seems significant, more than your size.

Very protected harbor. I hump off there to run to Marblehead as that keeps you outside the big Fundy Tides.