November 05, 2013
Press Releases San Diego CAAmericas Cup Races a Win for San Diego
Americas Cup Spectator Yachts Turn to Marine Group Boat Works for Refurbishment, Fifth Avenue Landing for Dockage; San Diego Sees Historic Number of Superyachts
(San Diego, November 5, 2013): Marine Group Boat Works, LLC, (“Marine Group”) a family-owned commercial boatbuilding and yacht repair yard with two haul-out facilities in San Diego and a sister marina, Fifth Avenue Landing in downtown San Diego, is seeing record numbers of superyacht contracts at their facilities in 2013. Marine Group and Fifth Avenue Landing were the choices of more than a dozen of this year’s Americas Cup spectator superyachts for refits and dockage, while several of the vessels underwent extensive structural modifications.
The number and scope of superyacht contracts have increased significantly in the past twelve months. “Marine Group’s superyacht division is showing a revenue stream valuing over $20 million, more than double the value last year,” says Todd Roberts, vice president of Marine Group Boat Works and Fifth Avenue Landing. “The average yard period in 2012 was 45 days—average yard period this year is 90. There is much more builder involvement compared to years past. Marine Group hosted builders from Alloy Yachts, Pendennis Shipyard, Baltic Yachts and Delta where we had the pleasure of assisting with warranty repairs on several newbuilds.”
Marine Group’s infrastructure, which includes a 665-ton travelift and two yards in San Diego totaling over 1.2 million square feet of land and water, has allowed the company to quadruple its paint jobs and triple its superyacht haul-outs since 2012. Included in this capacity is the recent acquisition of a new refit facility formerly leased by Knight & Carver, one mile away from Marine Group’s headquarters. The new location has been the site of several refits including those of megayachts over 65 meters (+200 feet).
Marine Group’s physical expansion, flexibility in scheduling, along with the year-round fair weather and the network of expertise and services around San Diego, will contribute to the growth of contracts for superyacht refits for the foreseeable future.
“We’d like to credit it to years of consistently having yacht owners and reps seeing our capabilities for themselves, believing in Marine Group’s ability to perform complicated and technical work lists; and then approving of the high quality work that we’re able to produce,” added Roberts.
Marine Group Boat Works will be at 95 percent capacity for the remainder of 2013, as it services the commercial and government sectors as well, and expects their growth of megayacht services to continue well into 2014. Fifth Avenue Landing will be at capacity with transient yachts for the remainder of this year.
About Marine Group Boat Works
Marine Group Boat Works is a full-service commercial boatbuilder and private yacht repair company with two facilities on the San Diego Bay and one facility in Los Cabos. Its headquarters in Chula Vista consists of 15 acres of land and water; 2,100 feet of docks; a 665- ton travelift; fabrication and welding environments for both steel and aluminum; and a range of mobile and production equipment to accommodate vessels up to 220 feet. Its sister yards in National City and San Jose del Cabo encompass over 300,000 square feet of land and water and feature 300- and 150- ton travelifts respectively. Among the three facilities, the shipyard employs more than 120 ABS-certified welders, shipfitters, pipefitters, mechanics, painters and equipment operators. For more information, visit www.marinegroupbw.com.
About Fifth Avenue Landing
Fifth Avenue Landing is a boutique superyacht marina and transient berthing facility located in the heart of Downtown San Diego. With 12 berths, Fifth Avenue Landing can accommodate superyachts up to 300 feet. The marina is minutes from the airport and steps away from the historic Gaslamp District and Petco Park baseball stadium. Complimentary services include concierge, controlled marina access, private parking and more. For more information, visit www.fifthavenuelanding.com.