At Your Service
Every boatyard is only as good as the people behind the scenes—the mechanics, carpenters, electricians, yard managers, and everyone else who gets the job done. And we want to know who they are. Who do you think are the best service people in the business? Let us know who it is that makes your time on the hard less stressful and more worthwhile—send us an e-mail at [email protected].
Or click here to nominate your favorite boatyard employee. ➤
Gregg Burdick, president and general manager of Stuart Yachts in Stuart, Florida.
Power & Motoryacht
reader Bob Dowling caught up with Burdick this past February, here is what he had to say:
In 1976, when Gregg Burdick was thinking about buying what is today Stuart Yachts, he asked owners he’d worked for as a yacht captain to give the idea a once-over. “There were lawyers, accountants, and CEOs. They all said don’t buy it,” Burdick says. “They were specialized. They didn’t see the potential there that I did.”
Gregg said he, his wife, and two teenager children lived in a 480-foot square room near the yard as he struggled to get the place going.
“As a captain, you stay close to your owners at all times. I did the same with the boatyard. I call it ‘Hugging Your Customers,’” Burdick says. “Their boat is more than a piece of property. It’ a very dear possession, almost a family member. I send everyone a weekly progress report on their work, and if I have to call someone and they’re in a board meeting, often times they’ll leave the room to find out what’s happening with their yacht.”
On the day Dowling visited, Stuart Yachts was painting the hull of a 38-year-old Broward, refitting a 60-foot Alden Tournament Express, and taking in a 31-year-old trawler just bought by a Mississippi cruise-boat captain for his home. The trawler’s mechanical, hull, and woodwork really needed a refit, but even through the faded blue hull paint you could see the distinctive flare of the Steve Seaton designed yacht.
What makes a good boatyard, we asked? “I just told you: Attention, attention, attention. I’m all about hands on,” said Burdick, as we waved goodbye.
Stuart Yachts, 866-369-4573; www.stuartyacht.com
Click here to nominate your favorite boatyard employee. ➤
Mike Day, project manager at Yankee Marina & Boatyard in Yarmouth, Maine.
Power & Motoryacht reader Douglas Smith writes:
“Mike was assigned to our boat, a one-year-old Sabre 40 Salon Express, for complete outfitting. We live aboard the boat three months out of the year and have owned boats for over 50 years. We needed a lot of additions and changes to fit our lifestyle. Mike is always available, personally makes sure the boarding ladder is at the boat in the winter when we arrive, and takes ownership in every detail on a work order. His years of experience and knowledge help when it comes to making suggestions that are improvements to what we request, and he is quick to offer alternatives that are less expensive or that may work better. The boat has always been ready on time, and most importantly, schedules have been changed to accommodate emergencies and special needs when they have arisen.”
Yankee Marina & Boatyard, 207-846-4326; www.yankeemarina.com
Click here to nominate your favorite boatyard employee. ➤
Heidi Leonard and Malcolm Crosby (seen here), Tom Marra, and Cheryl Niemi from the crew at Crosby Yacht Yard in Osterville, Massachusetts.
Power & Motoryacht reader David Grafton writes:
I have been a customer at Crosby’s for more than 50 years, and while all of the employees of Crosby Yacht Yard could be mentioned in this article, lets narrow it down to a few.
Cheryl Niemi, Crosby’s office manager, is a mainstay at the yard. She has excellent customer service skills and offers personal attention no matter what the question. She’s always happy and smiling and ready to help, and seems to love her job.
Heidi Leonard is efficient and organized. She manages all moorings and dockage reservations at Crosby, and keeps customers up to date with her friendly e-mails in the event of impending bad weather or hurricanes. Transient customers appreciate her knowledge of the area and helpful suggestions for visiting yachtsmen.
Malcolm Crosby is the head paint department foreman, and is known as one of the best, if not the best, experienced and professional yacht painters in the region. His varnish finishes are works of art and he takes personal pride with any project that leaves his shop. Many years of experience working with both wood and fiberglass vessels. Widely respected by peers and vessel owners alike. A true craftsman who embraces modern materials and applies them with utmost pride and professionalism.
Tom Marra is the fuel-dock manager, and he’s always ready to assist you with a smile. Friendly and ready to grab your lines as you arrive at their fuel dock to tie up, and ready to help you when it is time to depart. Overall, a truly outstanding gang.
Crosby Yacht Yard, 508-428-6900; www.crosbyyacht.com
Click here to nominate your favorite boatyard employee. ➤
Greg Korel from Washington Marine, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Power & Motoryacht reader Capt. Mike Underwood writes:
“The entire crew at Washington Marine is fantastic, but if I were to name just one individual it would be Mr. Greg Korel. Greg is always willing to listen and offer suggestions, and he entertains all possibilities and offers multiple solutions if more than one solution exists. He is punctual and the work, whether he does it himself or oversees it, is always first rate.”
Washington Marine, 513-232-6000; www.washingtonmarine.com
Click here to nominate your favorite boatyard employee. ➤
Victor Espino from The Boat Yard, in Marina Del Rey, California.
Power & Motoryacht reader Kathleen Murphy writes:
“Victor is a very professional and competent service manager that gets the job done. He takes an efficient approach to any project—large or small. Victor has very good communication skills and is heavily experienced in the maritime industry. If you have to replace a pod drive or if you popped a plank, The Boat Yard can help you out.”
The Boat Yard, 310-823-8964; www.the-boatyard.com
Click here to nominate your favorite boatyard employee. ➤
Rick Herron from Norseman Shipyard, in Miami, Florida.
Power & Motoryacht reader Kathleen Murphy writes:
“Rick is simply the best in the business. You will not get find a better service provider anywhere. I would recommend Rick to anyone I know.”
Norseman Shipyard, 305-545-6815; www.norsemanshipbuildingcorp.com
Click here to nominate your favorite boatyard employee. ➤
Jackie Parkar, administrative assistant at Dredge Harbor Boat Center in Delran, New Jersey.
Power & Motoryacht reader Harry Schmoll writes:
“I have been boating out of the Dredge Harbor Boat Center, in Delran, New Jersey, for several years. Dredge Harbor is a full-service marina. If you have a service issue, you must give your request to Jackie Parkar, administrative assistant. She then forwards the request to the appropriate mechanic or person who will accomplish the task at hand. Although Jackie doesn’t perform the actual physical labor, without her coordination, nothing gets done. This is an example of someone in the front office working as part of the service team. Although the entire team is terrific, over the years, I don’t know what I would have done without Jackie’s help!”
Dredge Harbor Boat Center, 856-461-1194; www.dredgeharbor.com
Click here to nominate your favorite boatyard employee. ➤
Atlantic Yacht Basin
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Basin Marine
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Bluewater Yacht Yard
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Bradford Marine
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Canal Boatyard
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Dana Point Shipyard, Inc.
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Deltaville Boatyard
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Norseman Shipyard
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Oxford Boatyard
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Sassafras Harbor Marina
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Scarano Boatyard
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Swantown Marina and Boatworks
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Whiticar Boat Works
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American Custom Yachts
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