East Coast Boatyards

[DDabs]

Greetings everyone,

I originally had a plan to bring a 40 ft. monohull down the ICW from MD to the west coast of FL to my home town to get some work done. Now the more I'm thinking about it, I am considering finding a reputable place somewhere on the east coast of the US to get my equipment installed. I am wondering if anyone has any boatyards that they would recommend to do some major outfitting, involving the following:

Installation of:
-Autopilot
-Full electronics, navpod at helm, etc.
-Windlass
-Stainless Arch w/ davits
-Solar
-Refrigeration

I am hoping to find somewhere in the area of Oriental, NC, or Charleston, SC. I am open to any yards however that are on the east coat and do good work.

-David

[Flem.S.Coyle]

David,

I know you only requested recommendations for, and not also against, but since you mentioned Oriental, I'll suggest you steer well clear of Sailcraft Service there.

I have no complaints on the quality of work they did repairing my deck, but advise you to run screaming for anyone else before trusting them with anything electronic.

Not merely inept, but much, much worse.

Run. Screaming.

[DDabs]

Flem, good to know, because just this morning I received a call from Sailcraft Service, and didn't get a chance to answer the phone so Alan left me a message. He sounded extremely knowledgeable and helpful, so your review comes as a shock, but thanks alot.

[letsgetsailing3]

Why not Annapolis, before you leave? It might be more convenient to have everything for your trip.

[SearenitySail]

I had a great experience commissioning my boat at Tidewater Yacht Service in Baltimore, right off I-95.

Marshall

[DDabs]

letsgetsailing, searenity, yes that's beginning to look more appetizing, although the only thing that concerns me is the cold weather. I was originally trying to get the boat a little south just to help with the temperature. As long as the yard wasn't snowed in I suppose I would be all for doing the work in Maryland. I would imagine there are plenty of yards that do great work in Annapolis?

[Jcolman]

You might want to check out Schroeder yacht systems in Urbanna VA. I have my boat there at the moment, getting ready to have the mast pulled and some glass work done. I was talking to another boat owner who told me that he had heard good things about Schroeder so he brought his boat over from Maryland for the guys at Schroeder to work on.

[Vasco]

Never been there but always heard good things about Hartges.
OUR YARD

[CarlF]

I would have trouble trusting any boat yard to have the range of experience needed for your entire list. You could easily spend the next two years fixing mistakes made during installation.

While it may not be the cheapest route, I'd consider Bert Jabins in Annapolis. The contractors are independent of the yard. You can use the ones located at the yard or bring in your own. A little asking around should find you a good name for each task.


Welcome to Bert Jabin Yacht Yard

[redsky49]

I had a very good experience with Deaton's Yacht Service in Oriental. PM me if you would like to know more.

Several good yards on the Chesapeake - Hartge's, Zahnisers, Oxford Boat Yard, etc.

[JonathanSail]

You should consider Bock Marine:

Bock Marine

It's a great yard run and staffed by great folks. They have lots of experience and are very good at what they do. There are also lots of marine specialists in the area and prices are good in that region relatively speaking, should you need to bring in outside help. My boat was there for about 4 years for a major overhaul and I was repeatedly glad that I ended up there.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by CarlF

I would have trouble trusting any boat yard to have the range of experience needed for your entire list. You could easily spend the next two years fixing mistakes made during installation.

While it may not be the cheapest route, I'd consider Bert Jabins in Annapolis. The contractors are independent of the yard. You can use the ones located at the yard or bring in your own. A little asking around should find you a good name for each task.


Welcome to Bert Jabin Yacht Yard

Interesting concept.

Nice reference.

Only issue for the OP is if he goes this route, he may end up being his own "general contractor" in doing the timing and interfaces. Unless the yard does that, someone will need to do so.

Good luck.

[TheLostGirlsMom]

How about cheapest per foot? Haul and block?

[tydc]

Thoughts on the Maryland yards mentioned above:

-Tidewater was a friendly and reasonable place. My experience was limited to DIY work but they seemed on the ball.

-Jabin's has skilled contractors capable of anything, provided you have an unlimited budget. Haul out is just that. You want to go back in the water? That costs extra.

-Hartge is cool. Haven't hauled there but it has a very traditional feel. Good experience chartering out of there.

[CarlF]

I would only go to Jabins if I had some tricky work that I wanted done right (and I have and they did). The OP wants "full electronics, refrigeration, and autopilot". All three are prone to installation nightmares.

And I've never understood how most boatyards can get away with making me pay for the spring launch when they haul in the fall.