Sarasota Bradenton Florida Area Availability

NOTE As of Jan. 1, 2007 we have only a few winter openings still available for this year. So, call ASAP to speak with us and hopefully book with us. At this point, next winter, 2008, is fairly wide open, but we tend to book many projects for the following year while working in Florida in the present year. If you think you might be interested, it’s best to communicate with us earlier rather than later for next year. Also, for special larger type jobs, we are available during other seasons of the year. Please feel free to call to discuss the possibilities. (203) 878-4193 or (203) 526-3972.

Though we are best known in the southern New England area for our high quality brightwork restorations, we also handle complete management and maintenance programs, installations and repairs. From Hinckleys and Grand Banks to Swans and Hatteras, and everything else that floats, our work is well-respected and our rates are considered very reasonable by marine industry standards. Just ask any of our very satisfied customers.

Yes, our primary service area is along the Connecticut coast on Long Island Sound. Our spring, summer and fall seasons are always extremely full, and we normally book enough work in our large, well-equipped shop to keep the crew fairly busy all winter. But, let’s face it, Connecticut winters are not always the friendliest place to be, even when inside a toasty warm shop. So, with a large portion of his family in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, our owner takes the company truck, loads it up with tools and equipment and spends time each winter in Florida, working on a number of brightwork, winch service and a variety of other types of work. See a list of typical projects.

OUR Florida Beginnings

It started a few years back when a local Connecticut customer asked---during the height of our busy season--- to have his brightwork restored. There was no way to squeeze his job in at that time. He was persistent though. Knowing he was cruising south for the winter, and that we would be visiting Sarasota during that period, the offer was made to handle the project there. Though Sarasota was not on his original list of ports, he agreed that it would be well worth a visit to the area for a few weeks while we handled the work.

While restoring the brightwork on his Maine-built Duffy, a beautiful Downeast-style motor cruiser, other boat-owners in the marina began to take notice. Soon, requests for DMYS to quote brightwork jobs on this boat or that boat became a daily occurrence. Some, even coming in from other marinas. We’re not sure how the word spread. Unfortunately, our time in Florida was limited, so we could only accept a few projects, and then scheduled a few more for the following winter. Over the years, the demand has continued to grow. So in an effort to plan things out a little bit better, we are now trying to give a heads up to those many Sarasota/Bradenton yacht owners who have seen the type of work we do and have inquired about estimates for their boats, and to introduce ourselves to new potential customers, who are now hearing of us for the first time.

In addition to brightwork, there are many other projects we can handle while in Florida. Certainly, we are somewhat limited in what we can handle there, due to the various tools and equipment that we would need to transport south for certain type projects. There are, however, a few things that we have been doing down there that seem to work out well.

$49.99 Florida Sailboat Winch Service Special

Sailboat winch maintenance is one service that is easily handled without too much equipment. We offer a complete tear-down/lubrication/rebuild special that is extremely attractive. We literally have customers from across the country who go so far as to actually remove their winches and send them to us for service in our shop, just to take advantage of our special rates. You won’t need to go that far if you are in the Sarasota area. We’ll come to your boat and service them right on board. If you have Lewmar winches, size 40 or smaller, we offer a very attractive special rate. But all other brands and sizes are very reasonably priced too. Check out our Winch Service page on this site for more details. Our Sarasota/Bradenton labor rates are slightly less than specified on that page.

Other Florida Project Types

In addition to our expert brightwork and winch services, there are a number of other types of projects we are equipped to tackle in Sarasota. Proper deck hardware installations, sailboat deck rigging and/or running rigging design/replacement, deck leak repairs, cabin sole restorations, cabin varnish refurbishment, deck painting and any number of other possibilities, depending on the tools and equipment necessary for the job. If there is a project you are considering, give us a call. It may be something we can fit in this winter.

Got a Pearson sailboat built in the 80s with loose stanchions? We have a special custom system for repairing the wet deck under your stanchions before it gets any worse and becomes a nightmare. In fact, our repair will reinforce the deck in that area in a far more positive manner than the way it was originally finished at the manufacturer. Our system will work for most production boats with loose deck stanchions mounted on balsa cored decks, not just Pearsons.

If you are in the Sarasota/Bradenton area and would like to schedule us to work on your boat this winter, please email or call as soon as possible, and let’s discuss the possibilities on the phone. We only have room for a few larger jobs and a handful of other smaller types, but don’t let that stop you from trying. Depending on the project, we’ll do what we can to work something out. Call the shop at (203) 878-4193, or feel free to call Doug directly on his mobile at (203) 526-3972. Look forward to hearing from you.

DAKOTA MARINE is a member of the Connecticut Marine Trades Association and fully licensed and insured to work at marinas anywhere in the U.S.