Boat Repair Equipment

'Oasis' for boat brokers, renters in the Napa Valley

You’re towing your boat in an unfamiliar part of Napa County. The river faded from your rear-view mirror miles ago. All you see are vineyards, then open fields. Just as you wonder whether you’re lost, a 400-boat mariners’ oasis appears. You’ve found Napa Valley Marina.

For 54 years, the Giovannoni family has operated the marina on Milton Road. Tom and Dan Giovannoni are the current generation of marina owners.

General Manager Kirby Long takes care of the day-to-day operations of a marina that includes boat storage — both dry and wet — plus boat repair, hauling and sales.

The marina sports 200 slips, three-quarters of which are covered, and

35 acres of dry storage.

“What we do best is rent space,” Long said. “That’s the biggest part of our business.”

Taking boats in and out of the water and storing them can be a lot more complicated than it might seem. Napa Valley Marina is prepared to tackle that task.

“We have a unique way of hauling and moving boats that most facilities don’t have, because we have a hydraulic trailer,” Long said.

“The hydraulic trailer allows the marina to store boats,” he said. “I can get them within 3 inches.”

The marina is known for hauling large catamarans and tri-hulls in and out of the water, according to Long.

“We have a patented, designed trailer,” he said. “We put these cantilevered I-beams on it. We can pick up a hull that’s 35 feet wide. Other systems can only handle hulls of about 18 feet wide.”

Long said his equipment is capable of hauling boats from 20 to 54 feet in length.

The marina hauls boats in a way that’s easier on the hull, according to Long. “We have a unique rail system,” he said. “Your boat sits on its keel. There are no straps. That’s why it’s so good for old wood boats.”

Tractor-trailers arrive two or three times a month with boats that need to be put in the water.

“People get relocated and want to keep their boat,” Long noted. “They pay $12,000 to ship their boats from the East Coast.”

There’s also a guest dock with gas pumps, and a mechanic is on duty during business hours.

The marina has a master plan, according to Long. A deli is planned, and later a restaurant.

The marina also brokers boats — mostly bigger ones, according to Long.

“That’s a big part of our business,” he said. ”I’m a yacht broker. We ship boats all over the world. I just sold a nice French sailboat that’s heading to Kodiak, Alaska.

How To Open A Boat Repair Shop - Tips To Start Boat Repair ...

However, all types of boats need regular maintenance as well as repairs and if you have seawater flowing in your veins, then here are a few practical tips on how to open a boat repair shop to turn your love for water into a well-paying business.

Simply loving salt water spraying on your face is not reason enough to jump into the boat repairing business . You should get adequate expertise as well as experience by joining a boat-repairing firm to get thorough knowledge about the business while an additional degree or diploma in Marine Engineering would help elevate the credentials of your future business. In addition, you will also require related permits and licenses before you can start your boat repair shop.

Just like any other business, your boat repair shop will also need to be started at a convenient location so that boat owners can easily drop and collect their precious boats. You should seek out a water body that is near a dock, marina, or a jetty so that boat owners find it easy to send their boats for repairs and maintenance.

You will also need a dry dock based on the size of boats that you plan to repair . In addition, you should ensure adequate security so that your clients’ boats remain safe when under your care.

In order to create a positive impression to potential clients, you should outfit your boat repair shop with the latest in diagnostic and repair equipment as well as hire highly skilled employees to operate that equipment.

Although this move might cost more initially, it is sure to reward you by providing higher profits while enhancing your reputation as an expert boat repairer at the same time.

In these competitive times, you should also provide value added services to your clients in addition to repairing and maintaining their boats. You can offer boat valeting services that includes removing stains, sealant supplication, polishing, and painting the interior as well as exterior of your clients precious boats.

If you do not have trained staff or skills to start such services then you can tie up with other reputed companies that offer such services at your location on a commission basis. In addition, you can also offer free pick-up and drop-off services as well as on-site services for stranded boats to attract new clientele.

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