Hello gang, Moving the new to me 50 post from from detroit and currently in Albany. I am hoping to leave the boat somewhere I can can some work done. I REALLY need a great carpet installation for the entire interior. Secondly I would like to see about getting the salon windows rebed along with a couple other small items around the hull. Third if I could find the right shop I would like to have some lights I need to troubleshoot looked at, maybe a new garmin install, etc. The later things are non essential but the windows and carpet are a must. I can leave the boat really anywhere from Charleston to VA Beach but I would prefer NC or VA. I know there are a lot of builders in OBX but I really would prefer some referrals before I go to Google.
Yards are really busy right now so call ahead to make arrangements. If you are coming south and wanting the work done during Hurricane season I would try to pick a place that offers some protection during a hurricane. Jarret Bay just north of Beaufort, NC would be a choice. No direct experience but hear good things. They could haul you during a hurricane. Another option would be Atlantic Yacht in Great Bridge, VA. Excellent Hurricane hole and they have a big yard that can handle most all boating needs. I do have direct experience with them and I would have to say C+ to B-. But I would give them another shot. Also Atlantic would be convenient to an airport. After Hurricane season Ross Marine a little south of Charleston has a decent reputation as well. I have also have direct experience with Hinkley in Thunderbolt near Savanah, GA. They have been good to me on a number of different occasions. I forgot to mention that Deltaville on the Chesapeake has a couple of good yards there. Zimmerman is near deltaville.
Spencer yachts is a good yard, they will do the work and not play games like some yards. Their invoices are always correct and people are easy to deal with. Most of what you want is done in house. Ask for Cliff Spencer
I was very satisfied with Bennet Bros on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, NC. Atlantic Yacht Basic in Great Bridge Va. is another good yard.
Bennett Bros sold 2 months ago but may be all the same service people. Atlantic YB is OK but not at the top of my list. Morehead City, NC there are several good service yards on Adams Creek. My personal favorite would be Zahnisers YC in Solomons, MD. 120 miles north of Atlantic YB. I have given Z's all kinds of crazy repair projects and they are always on time and on budget with communication skills. Hard to find those qualities in a service yard.
Zimmerman's in Southport did a good drive-by consult for us on an electrical project. In addition to the Deltaville, I think there's another one in Deale, MD (Herrington Harbor North, a very! nice marina). Haven't had Zahniser's do any work for us, but I've glanced at some of the projects they've been working on when we happen to be in the area. Looks to be very extensive capabilities. Very nice marina. Yacht Interiors of Annapolis installed our new carpet (over Soundown) and hull liners; very good job. Lots of "yard" options with good reps on Back Creek in Annapolis; Bert Jabins Yacht Yard would be one... -Chris
I second Yacht Interiors of Annapolis Bert Jabins is a mini Lauderdale Marine Center. The marina only does the yard work, hauling and launching. Annapolis Boat Service is based there and good systems punch list people.
Way further South but we just had a bunch of survey related stuff and upgrades done at Merritt's in Pompano. 70' Custom Enclosed Bridge 2010 SF. They turned some complicated repairs around in a reasonable time frame at a very fair price.
Thanks for the input guys. I ended up putting down in Manteo. Lot of good resources there and I have a family friend with a place at pirates cove I used to fish with who I felt like could give be an extra set of eyes on the boat. Working through a nice punch list now with some paint and electrical upgrades. I’ll let you know how it goes and hopefully I can make a good reference.