Marine Group Boat Works acquires former Knight & Carver refit site

Marine Group Boat Works LLC has acquired a 0.02sqkm site in National City, San Diego which was formerly occupied by now-defunct US refitter Knight & Carver. Marine Group acquired the site on 31 March 2013, in light of an unexpected surge in demand for refit services, and it becomes the third haul-out facility in the company’s portfolio.

Since confirming the acquisition Marine Group has begun renovating the existing space, installing new equipment and formulating a production team. The company also recently welcomed a 350-ton self-propelled mobile ABI boat trailer that will allow the yard to accommodate 25 per cent more yachts on the hard standing.

The refitter has traditionally worked up to 67m but is now reporting an increase in enquiries for work on vessels up to 85m. Speaking to SuperyachtNews.com, Todd Roberts, vice president of Marine Group who also oversees Fifth Avenue Landing, the superyacht marina located in Downtown San Diego, said a growing superyacht presence on America’s West Coast had contributed to the welcome upsurge:

“It’s no doubt that the Pacific Coast has become a more popular and frequented cruising destination with San Diego and Cabo being two primary ports along the way.  Our refit books have nearly increased by 75 per cent in the last two years, almost catching us off-guard and our sister marina even has a waiting list for dockage on certain holidays.” 

“With the America’s Cup in San Francisco and San Diego’s warm climate, this year we’re seeing double the work we’ve traditionally seen around this time, and to no surprise, the yachts keep getting larger and the work more extensive.  So, we do what we do best—adapt”, he added.

Profile links

Marine Group Boat Works

Knight & Carver YachtCenter

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