Who Is DAKOTA MARINE Yacht Services?

DAKOTA MARINE™ YACHT SERVICES (DMYS) is a small marine services company based in Milford, Connecticut, along the shores of Long Island Sound. Though we are best known in the area for our high-end brightwork restorations and refinishing projects, we also offer the same high standard on many other type projects including maintenance and/or yacht management, as well as installations and repairs to many structures and systems found on board. And, in 2006, we added unique and specialty marine gear sales to our offerings.

The company was originally started in 1999 with a primary focus on chartering and captaining services, with a secondary interest in yacht management and maintenance. However, things have changed quite a bit since the company’s start. Now, it’s the maintenance, repairs, installations and gear sales, that are our main offerings, while chartering, yacht deliveries, instruction and other captaining services sit quietly in the background, though are still available on a limited basis.

We cater to the yacht owner who wants a more personal service than is typically available at most large boatyards, and/or items that are not readily available off the street in most chandleries. Our rates are more reasonable and our workmanship is more than simply, professional grade. We are registered with the State of Connecticut and fully insured to work in the marine industry with complete liability and worker’s compensation coverage.

DMYS is headed by Doug Ely (see bio), who has spent the better part of his life working around yachts. He’s worked as a professional charter captain, a charter company general manager and a dockmaster for a marina, all in the Virgin Islands. He’s been a high-profile Northeastern sailor and skipper of the well-known Swan, DAKOTA. He sailed her to victory—first overall out of 108 yachts—in the 650-mile, 1999 Marion/Bermuda Ocean Race, among many other racing triumphs and sailing accomplishments.

Also in 1999, under the care of Doug, the yacht DAKOTA was selected from a fleet of 50 elegant Swans from around the world, as the best maintained and cared for yacht at the Swan American Regatta in Newport, RI. Doug was awarded Nautor Swan’s prestigious Prix d’Elegance Award for the effort. His secret: “It’s all in the details.” His expertise and diligence in caring for high-end yachts, combined with his natural artistic and detail oriented background has created a solid base on which to build DAKOTA MARINE YACHT SERVICES.

Most detail and finish work on all projects that DMYS works on is performed by Doug personally. Less critical portions or simple projects are often performed by an apprentice, under Doug’s watchful eye. Reduced rates for apprentice labor are factored into each project estimate where their use is

anticipated. As our schedule fills, additional craftsmen are employed, but all are closely managed by Doug. The company is kept small so the quality can always be controlled and kept to the highest level.

We operate year-round in Connecticut from our large, clean, workshop facility in Milford. And, during the winter months, many of our services are also available on the west coast of central Florida, and in the Caribbean. We have a satellite base of operation in the Sarasota area of Florida where we can be available for specific projects anytime between December and March. And all our sailing services (Chartering, Captaining, Deliveries, Sail Instruction) are best suited to warmer climates. So with Doug’s background living and running boats in the islands, the Caribbean is a natural venue for us in winter.

Various shop photos