Picking the Best Boat Repair Yard

In A State like Maryland, where access to water, be it, ocean, lake or river, you’ll have a lot of choices, not only where you go boating, but also what boatyard you use for repairs and overhauls. The best tactic is to ask the local boating community for recommendations. Fellow boaters are the best source of information on repair shops and boatyards, and they’ may not be the nearest one. Its best is to talk to others who’ve had similar repairs done on their boats.

US Marine Insurance policies require a boat owner to select a repair facility for repairs and overhauls. Marine surveyors are often knowledgeable about local repair yards, and can be a good source for recommendations; but make sure they’re impartial and not affiliated with a specific shop or boatyard. Be sure a surveyor is accredited by the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) and/or the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) as they’re required to be independent.

Dealer or Independent shop? If you have a warranty, take it to an authorized dealer. Even without a warranty, dealerships usually have the best equipment and training. Engine manufacturers require dealers to be trained on almost all types of boats and have sufficient parts in their inventory.

The downside is cost; dealerships are typically more expensive because of higher overhead. Unlike dealerships independent shops survive on repairs, not sales; so they may be more dedicated to solve your problem and less interested in selling you a new boat.

Also, yards specialize; either by the type of work or the type of boat worked on; so find one that deals with your boat type and your repair needs.

Don’t forget to invest in quality Canvas protection from CMC CANVAS LLC to protect your boat and avoid a lot of repairs.