Recommend a Boat Yard in San Francisco?

nparadis5476 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

We are moving out Beneteau First 435 to San Francisco. Can someone recommend a good boat yard? Our rig is a bit complicated, so one with good riggers would be desirable. Spoke with Svendsen’s and detected a bit of the “high-end” attitude…we prefer yards that are a little more reasonable with costs…

meuritt · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

Svens has a great reputation.

If you want DIY, try Berkely Marine Center.

I just had work done at The Boat Yard at Grand Marina, Alameda, and was satisfied with their work.

bestfriend · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

You think Svendsens is snooty, try going to SF boat works. They can outdo anyone on prices. Seriously, Svendsens has good riggers, KKMI in Richmond is also very good. Don't let anyone tell you that the riggers at West Marine are good. They are lousy. Its the Bay area, its going to be expensive, you will get what you pay for. Stay away from Sausalito too, the tend to over charge there. Call Pineapple Sails and Rooster sails for recommendations, both in Alameda. Good people that will rec other good people.

nparadis5476 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008

Thanks – that’s very helpful. What have you heard about Berkeley Boat Works?

Over the phone, Svensen’s was just a bit worrisome…we have had such terrible experiences with marine contractors that I may be a bit paranoid at this point.

jstroup · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008

I had my boat commissioned at KKMI and was very happy with both the work and the people.

judie

Vitesse473 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008

I've spent a small fortune at both KKMI and Svendsen's. Both do top notch work with industry standard pricing, but they are boatyards, so you do need to ride them like donkeys to get the job done, and watch them like hawks to ensure they aren't guessing how many hours they've spent working on your boat. Call Chris Tibbs at Svendsen's. He's the Rig boss and a very good guy. Also important is that the Svendsen's chandlery is well stocked, and a lot cheaper than WM. If you are brave enough, you can sometimes negotiate a price with them. I think they got tired of me asking for deals on stainless screws, though.

Agreed on avoiding Sausalito. Priiiiiiiccccceeeey and snnnnnoooootttty!

KeelHaulin · #7 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008

I think it really depends on what work you are planning to have done. I've heard horror stories about both Svendsens and Berkeley. I hate to burst bubbles here (because Svendys is highly regarded in most cases). I like their Chandlery, but my neighbor had problems with the yard in billing for a water heater refit; and apparently they really dragged their feet on the other work. A fellow N-41 owner had a horrible experience at Berkeley; they pulled his mast and then let the boat sit un-finished for almost 6 months. The work that was done could have been finished in less than 1 month. At the end they said "you are not a priority" (WTF is that supposed to mean?). I have heard good things about KKMI; but they are also considered on the expensive side. Where are you moving your boat here from? Is this boat being shipped cross-country or ?

There are other yards I could suggest but I would need to know what your specific needs are.

L124C · #8 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009

I highly recommend Bay Marine in Richmond CA. No frills, courteous, reasonable and competent.
Welcome to Bay Marine Boatworks
I would avoid SF Boat Works and Svendsens like the plague (having used both)! Though, you can't beat the Svendsens chandlery.

nparadis5476 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009

Boy, do we wish we had seen KeelHaulin’s posting before deciding to have the boat off-loaded at Berkeley Marine Center…

thekeip · #10 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009

Like everything else, you get what you pay for. Berkeley Marine Center is well known and highly regarded as a DIY. It would be close to impossible to find a yard more efficiently or completely organized to insure that casual boaters can do or get done what they need in an environmentally acceptable way. That's a tall order when you consider what goes on or comes off a boat any day of the week as toxic material....Especially in SF Bay, and especially, especially in Berkeley.
The yard is always full. Like a good restaurant, if you can't get a table you've got a good restaurant. Their technical help is outstanding but again, sometimes you've got to get in line to get it. You won't find a better rigger or shipwright in the state...well worth waiting for.
I like BMC...I take my own boat there.