Where to return on East coast of Fl

[wsdemmer]

We will be wrapping up our first journey to the Bahamas in a couple of weeks and we will be returning to Florida to have two Phasor Generators installed. I have made arrangements for the purchase of the generators but not the installation. I have asked the forum before specifically about Ft. Lauderdale but did not ask for other cities. We now have our choice of where to go from Miami to Ft Pierce and would prefer a location where we can have the work done dockside so we can still live aboard while the work is completed. Does anybody have recommendations of a marina location and installer to swap our the Koehlers for Phasors?

 

[oldawg]

We really liked Sailfish in Stuart.

 

[dottieshusband]

Check with Norseman Ship Building, 3 miles up the Miami River. Rick is the owner and to say they are a full service yard doesn't do them justice. We stayed on the boat while it was serviced and there many, many nice resturants and "stuff" nearby.

 

[thoward]

I would check with American Custom Yachts in Stuart. Ft Pierce has Cracker Boys but I do not believe you can live aboard. The others in Ft Pierce are a little sketchy.

 

[Pascal]

Norseman is a great yard and I ve had work done there many times but it is not the kind of neighborhood where I d want to stay in the boat!

Being a new install why dont you start with finding an installer thru the manufacturer to avoid any warranty issues, and then find a marina where it can be done

Don't forget that some yards and marinas charge a % on outside labor

Also, being hurricane season and since you may not be able to make easily once the work start, a protected place may be importanat.

Another yard to consider is harbor town on the dania cutoff. I had work done there (although 4 years ago) they were on time and on budget. The yard manager was always on top of everything.

 

[wsdemmer]

Thanks for the heads up on remembering it is hurricane season and what that might do to me if I was down for maintenance and a hurricane hits. Not the time to be w/o a generator or the ability to escape to a better protected place. I did ask the manufacturer and he gave me a general "one down here and one down there" so I guess that I really need to press him on the issue. I guess it could be a wash staying in an inexpensive hotel versus the extra cost of servicing dockside. I just hate to leave my "home" while many are wandering inside my house w/o me being there. I will check Harbor Town to see if they are able to handle the work.

 

[oldawg]

Thanks for the heads up on remembering it is hurricane season and what that might do to me if I was down for maintenance and a hurricane hits.

If you are worried about storms, something inside like Indiantown might answer.

 

[dottieshusband]

Hey Pascal. The neighborhoods around Norseman's were the highlight of our stay! Eddie, the night guard kept us straight about which streets to avoid, and the little cafes, bodegas, bars and seafood joints made the memories. It sin't Worth Ave, but full of color and we never felt unsafe. Each to his own I guess.

 

[hibanx]

I had my genset swapped out at Seminole Boat Yard in N. Palm Beach. They have slips that back right up to the bulkhead. The crane can reach out and drop the generator right in. Nice folks, fair prices, and a nice neighborhood too. It is also well protected on a narrow, idle speed section of the ICW.
http://www.seminolemarine.com/services.nxg

 

[wsdemmer]

Looks like we are heading to Harbor Town in Ft. Pierce and have made arrangements with Gillen Marine to do the swaps. Looks like the forward access issues makes this a more difficult replacement. I am going to start splitting the bad generator to get ahead of the installers. Anybody have advice before I begin tearing it down?

 

[Boatsb]

Looks like we are heading to Harbor Town in Ft. Pierce and have made arrangements with Gillen Marine to do the swaps. Looks like the forward access issues makes this a more difficult replacement. I am going to start splitting the bad generator to get ahead of the installers. Anybody have advice before I begin tearing it down?

To quote Yoda

Do or do not. If you are doing the work go for it. If you are having a yard do it let them do it. splitting up the job never works out right and will cost more in the end. Unless you are doing all the work minus the lift leave it to the yard. The back and skin you save will be yours.

 

[wsdemmer]

I was going to try and get one of the generators removed as much as possible to give them more room to work down below. Beyond that I am inclined to let them tackle the rest. They told me as much as I could get out of their way the better. Has anyone done business with Gillen Marine?

 

[thoward]

Harbor Town was recently purchased and has had lots of work done. I am not sure when the last time they dredged but as of last year, the interior was tight and a bit shallow at low tide. The main channel is ok. The yard is well equipped.

It is a pretty good location, there is a Publix within walking distance and the marina is fairly well protected from weather. I would not leave anything laying out that you want to keep, some transients would view it as community property. There is an active train track just to the West so it may be bothersome depending on the acoustics of your boat.

If you are being pulled and need lodging, I would look to Dockside or Sandhurst on the Island.

No experience with Gillen Marine.