Operating a boat yard can be a bit like playing a game of Tetris.
It’s a puzzle to figure out exactly how to stack up boats in the yard by shape and size, and determine how to get a boat in …
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Operating a boat yard can be a bit like playing a game of Tetris.
It’s a puzzle to figure out exactly how to stack up boats in the yard by shape and size, and determine how to get a boat in and out without having to move another five out of the way.
This puzzle just got solved at Sea Marine Yacht Services at Point Hudson. By making an investment of more than $100,000 into a brand new self-propelled hydraulic lift trailer, yard workers at Sea Marine are finding their lives to be a lot easier, and full of a lot more boats.
“It allows us to put boats in the yard neater and closer together,” said Chris Bakken, general manager at Sea Marine. “There are more boats in the same amount of space.”
The trailer’s wheels can make a full 90-degree turn, making it easy to squeeze into small spaces. In addition to its frontal steering, backward steering, diagonal movement and lateral movement, it has hydraulic telescopic supports to lift boats up and down onto supports in the yard.
All of it is done by remote control. Instead of needing a driver, like a travel lift, all this needs is a single operator holding the controls.
“Suddenly video games make sense,” joked Bakken, watching his oldest son operate the trailer with ease.
Since buying the trailer in December, Sea Marine has been able to increase the number of boats in the yard by 30%, Bakken said. In some areas of the yard, the number of boats has doubled.
Sea Marine is a full-service boatyard and marina that offers boat storage, maintenance, re-power, refits, and full restorations on any type of boat or yacht.
Bakken is hoping the investment will be worth it and allow the company to expand their business. He is also eyeing expanding the yard’s size and is hoping to work with the port to lease the property behind Sea Marine, known as the “Back 40.” Currently, the property is used for parking.
