As our summer quickly slides towards fall, it is hard to believe that the summer boating season is almost over. Fall does have some charms like cooler days, fatter crabs, and the upcoming fall boat shows. Most shops report a busy summer, with lots of repair and maintenance work indicating that people are indeed using their boats again.

Smokey Glover of Lake Assault Boats in Portsmouth, VA, starts us off this month with a quick update: “Lake Assault Boats just completed the refurbishment of a 36-foot fireboat from Portage, IN, at its Portsmouth, VA, facility. Work included electrical and electronics upgrades, fabrication of a new radar mast of a different configuration, bow ramp hoisting system upgrades, and a repower with twin 350-hp Mercury Verado outboards with joystick controls. Lake Assault is proud to have provided fire boat refurbishments to several fire departments in recent months.”

J.J. Williams of Osprey Marine Restorations in Tracys Landing, MD, and Annapolis Gelcoat in Annapolis, MD, reports a busy summer season and a positive outlook for the upcoming winter season. “This late in the summer we are doing a lot of repair work on boats that have impact damage either from other boats, running into piers, or falling off trailers. We have a boat that caught on fire, so we have hull damage on a big Fleming that we are going to be working on. We also have various paint jobs that are going on in boats in our main bay.

“We also have our project boat, a Viking Princess, that’s our company boat. We have been steadily working on that, doing a total restoration. We are also finishing up a big Vicem; we did a new bottom on that one. We also replaced all the portholes and the teak interior wood veneers, which look really nice. The winter is starting to fill up; we are starting to get some winter work in. We have a huge project on an 80-foot boat that’s coming in. There’s just a lot of work on that boat, so we are starting to fill up with our fall work already. As always, we are looking to hire good marine technicians, but they are hard to find.”

Jake Glover from Ferry Point Marina in Trappe, MD, continues to report on a busy shop with repairs and upgrades keeping his people busy. “Our mechanical division is currently managing several major undertakings. One of our master technicians is performing extensive repairs on a Yamaha F350 V8. In addition, a 41-foot Regulator is in for a full repower, receiving four of Yamaha’s latest F350 outboards, paired with a dual-station Helm Master system for advanced control and maneuverability. We also recently completed driveline tuning and a cutlass bearing replacement on a Ranger Tug, which has since returned to service. In our paint and fiberglass facility, the team is addressing a substantial collision repair on a 28-foot Boston Whaler. Meanwhile, a C-Hawk is undergoing a complete transom replacement. Our technicians are also supporting SeaKeeper Ride installations in collaboration with our sister company, Evolution Marine Electronics. Our yard crew continues to keep pace, performing antifouling bottom paint applications and routine washdowns to ensure vessels are ready for weekend use. Among the recent arrivals is a 38-foot Grady White in for a fresh application of Hull Maxx eco-friendly foul-release coating.”

Rob Hardy of Composite Yacht in Trappe, MD, also reports on a busy summer. “We are plugging along. We are still building our 55-foot yacht tender. That is a pretty special boat. It is very carefully and painstakingly designed to be towed for long distances in adverse weather. It’s a twin engine boat with Cat C-18s driving through water jets. We also have a 34-foot Palm Beach that we have done a massive refit on. This included taking an express and turning it into a pilothouse express sport fisherman. That boat once belonged to Burt Reynolds. The research vessel for St. Mary’s College is moving along just fine. We have got a couple of orders for new 26s, and we are going to be starting on them very soon. We also have several government contracts. They send us the specifications, and we build what are essentially large parts and send them back. We still have a lot going on in cooperation with the marina. We are under the same ownership, and we work closely with Jake at Ferry Point. He sends us a lot of refits and rehabs and repowers, so we have a lot going on with the repair side of things as well.

“Our summer has been just fine. We have had plenty of work to do, we are fielding inquiries and requests, and it feels as if things are shaking loose a little bit. It was a tough spring for new boat orders. It probably had to do with excess inventory as much as anything. People may not be looking to buy, but they are using their boats and are rehabbing and repowering rather than buying new. It seems we always have at least one boat in the shop that hit a piling or another boat, so repairs keep us busy. We’re hanging new Yamahas on stuff, repainting refits, and the like. We are hopeful for the fall and winter. Work does seem to be increasing, the phone keeps ringing, and we have our fingers crossed for the winter season.”

Andy Dize of Roudebush Yacht and Engine Works in Dundalk, MD, finishes up this month’s report with an upbeat summary: “With the dog days of summer now in full swing we hope all have been staying cool and enjoying the 2025 boating season! It has been a busy summer so far. We recently completed and delivered the first of two 28 feet by eight-feet, six-inches aluminum dive support boats for Marine Solutions. The boats are powered with two 150-hp Suzuki outboards. Material for the second boat has been received, and fabrication has started. The first boat was originally scheduled to be delivered to Virginia Beach, VA, but with the ramp-up of the Marine Solutions workload in the area, it will stay in Maryland. The customer is looking to expand the project to a third boat that is slightly larger and has a cabin.

“On the repair side, we have finalized a contract with Aberdeen Proving Grounds to perform a re-engine job on an ex-USCG 41-foot utility boat. The project involves the replacement of two older eight-cylinder Cummins diesel engines with two six-cylinder turbocharged diesels, control system, transmissions, and propellers. This project will take us into the early fall to complete. With a general slowing of private owner repair work over the summer, we have been able to continue the disposal of several derelict boats as well as work on the upgrade of our fixed docks to floating docks. We are also performing boat repair projects ranging from the inboard engine replacement on an Out Island 41 to fuel system repairs for a Silverton 34. RY&EW is a full-service repair yard able to dock, lift, and repair boats up to 45 feet. We are also able to design and build your custom boat in aluminum or fiberglass. Reach out to Andy to discuss your future repair or new construction project.”

So that’s all for this month. Enjoy the fall boating season and be careful and safe out there. Next month we will talk about the upcoming Annapolis Powerboat Show. We can hardly wait!
By Capt. Rick Franke