The Sea is the lifeblood of the Caribbean. As such, boats are both an ages-old and contemporary method of traveling from island-to-island. One thing every vessel has in common, whether workboats or recreational cruisers, with one hull or more, or propelled either by sail or power, is the need for boat repair. Caribbean boatyards are some of the best. For instance, here’s a sampling of what’s new at yards throughout the region.
TURKS & CAICOS
There are full yard services, including mechanical, electrical, structural and everything in between at the Southbank Marina and Boatyard, formerly the Caicos Marina and Shipyard, in Providenciales. Above all, we have made extensive renovations to the marina. “We have installed a new fuel system, tanks, pumps and lines. This should be operational by October,” says Adam Foster, marina development manager. In addition, we have new piles, frames and deck board on the commercial/fuel dock; 70 floating dock slips with a golf cart swing bridge to access these, and a fleet of golf carts for guests. There’s also a new residential development next-door that will offer marina guests even more amenities and services. https://www.facebook.com/Southbank-Marina-and-Boatyard-407334239369128/
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The IBC Shipyard, at the Marina Casa de Campo in La Romana, used the COVID-19 lockdown period to train its staff with remote courses to update their knowledge and increase their expertise. Also new is a new dealership contract with the renowned brand ElectroSea, experts in Marine Growth Prevention Systems. “Thanks to these measures and the investment last year of a 300-ton travel lift that enables us to haul vessels up to 165’ LOA and catamarans with a 36’ beam, we can fulfill the high demand for preventative maintenance of boats stranded due to the lockdown period,” says Giacomo Moriconi, chief executive officer. http://www.ibinautica.net/ibc-shipyards/
PUERTO RICO, THE U.S. AND BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (BVI)
In Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Altogether, two new forklifts for outboards are the new feature at Marina Puerto Del Rey. “These are going to be the biggest of their types in the Caribbean, capable of lifting up to 30,000 pounds. This type of machinery will reduce the cost of maintenance for vessel owners who are changing their sport fisherman boats for modern vessels with 3 and 4 motors,” says Carlos Ponce, sales and customer service manager. http://www.puertodelrey.com/en/boatyard-storage
Boat Repair In the U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Croix Marine Center in Christiansted had several changes. For one thing, new local ownership. Subsequently, the addition of a certified Yamaha and Mercury Outboard Mechanic on staff, installation of mooring balls for customer use, increased selection of marine parts and accessories in the store, purchase of new equipment like crane and vessel to assist boaters, and improvement on the infrastructure. “We now offer a lower rate Short Haul which includes power washing and one-hour sling time. Many more changes are planned in the coming months including refurbishing our fuel dock,” says Krisztina Phillips, general manager. www.stcroixmarinecenter.com. Subbase Drydock on St. Thomas has 1200-ton and 350-ton drydocks that can haul vessels up to 225 feet in length. There’s also a 100-ton crane for mast stepping and un-stepping. Presently, boat repair services include machine and welding shops, painting, fabrication and awl grip. subbasedrydock.com
In the BVI
Nanny Cay Resort, Marina & Boatyard on Tortola is introducing bottom stripping and painting to its list of boatyard services for the 2020/21 season. In short, the service will be available for all vessels including barges and ferries with rates starting at $15 per foot for painting monohulls and dinghies. “Bottom painting is a key component of the haul and launch process. It makes sense to add bottom painting as a seamless part of our boat storage and launch service,” says Bentley Hodge, boatyard manager. A new access road that runs around the seaward edge of the property until it reaches the junction to the outer marina has enabled Nanny Cay to reconfigure the boatyard – which was previously cut in two – to more efficiently use the space and add additional facilities such as a spraying shed in the future. nannycay.com.
To the east, for boat storage, the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor is offering brand-new steel cradles for monohulls. “These, which combined with our Hurricane Keel Pit and strap-down services, give our guests a wide range of hurricane season storage options,” says Hannah Thayer, public relations manager. Also, on the marina side, new shower rooms and a new and improved Shopping Center were being completed this summer. vgyh.vg
THE LEEWARD ISLANDS
Haul out or launching vessels up to 25’, bottom cleaning and painting and service on two-stroke outboards up to 30 HP are some of the services provided at Island Water World, located on the Simpson Bay Lagoon in St. Maarten. Saturday cruiser free seminars such as on power management and live life raft demonstrations; provisioning via organized trips to popular supermarkets and refilling propane tanks each Monday, “are some of the services we have in season from December to April,” says Mate Kiss, inventory and operations manager. www.islandwaterworld.com
Jolly Harbour Marina & Boatyard, in Antigua, opened four new self-contained modern clean bathroom units in December 2019. To list, each one is complete with shower, toilet, sink, solar-heated water, mirrors, seat, hooks and hand dryer. Owners also invested in a new, Keco Pump A Head unit, ideal especially now with the COVID-19 pandemic for boat owners to dispose of their waste responsibly. At this time, the unit is easily accessible at the fuel station and costs US $25 per tank. Additionally, “we have a new dynamic approach to social media which has proved to be informative in a very entertaining way. Also, keep your eye out for the launch of our new website a little later in the year,” says Jo Lucas, general manager of Eastern Caribbean Marina & Boatyard Ltd., which owns the marina. www.jolly-harbour-marina.com
THE WINDWARD ISLANDS
Earlier the year saw the addition of a 50-ton mobile boat trolly to park yachts at Carenantilles Shipyard in le Marin, Martinique, says Arthur de Lucy, director of operations. “Since December 2019, we are certified ISO 14001.” carenantilles.com
New at IGY’s Rodney Bay Marina in St. Lucia, says Shane Macauldy, marketing, sales and events manager, “is a special discount on haul-outs to vessel owners coming back to the region in December 2020 and January 2021, who would like to spruce up their vessels for the 2021 sailing season.” In detail, boat repair and other services include pressure washing, antifouling application, osmosis treatment, polishing and buffing, and fiberglass and gelcoat repairs by onsite certified technicians. https://www.igymarinas.com/marinas/rodney-bay-marina
The 70-boat capacity Tyrell Bay Marina Carriacou is a work in progress, according to Tony McQuilkin. However, available now are facilities and services such as a Budget Marine Chandlery, 150-ton lift, and onsite paint, general marine, electrical and mechanical contractors. Moreover, the yard is DIY-friendly, meaning owners and crew can live aboard on the hard. http://www.tyrellbaymarinacarriacou.com/
THE ABC’S
Upgrading is underway at Boatyard Bonaire, located in Hato, just north of Kralendijk. “We recently bought a trailer from Holland and can haul sailboats with a 7-foot keel, depending on the tide,” says owner, Mark Ten Hoopen. “We are also working on a wider boat ramp that will be 26- to 28-foot wide, thus giving us the option to work on catamarans as well.” A new sail and cushion shop is in the works. Furthermore, services currently available include antifouling, sandblasting and carpentry. https://www.boatyardbonaire.com/
One major upgrade at Varadero Marina & Boatyard in Oranjestad, Aruba, “is we’ve added guestrooms to our facility,” says owner, Alex Mansur. The guesthouse sits on the right side of the Bucutiweg street, the Marina on the left. Each room has AC, TV, shower, closet and microwaves, while on the property is a restaurant and bar. Additionally, Continental breakfast is available daily. www.varaderoaruba.com
WESTERN CARIBBEAN
Lastly, this fall, the Linton Bay Marina in Colon, Panama, will open its east patio with enough space for an additional 50 boats in storage. Already on-site is a 160-ton lift that can haul catamarans up to 38-foot wide and a yard that can handle 45 vessels, mono- and multi-hulls. “By year’s end we should finish our Clubhouse,” says manager, Brian Davis. https://www.lintonbaymarina.com/
