Craig

[craig42]

Hello. My name is Craig Ferreira and we live in Cape Town. I am new on the list. We are in the process of buying a leopard 45 in BVI and in Feb, I will sail it first to St Martin and then up to Florida to haul out and refit. I am fitting a genny, watermaker, new rigging and so on. Are there any suggestions as to a boat yard in Florida or the Gulf that can handle a 45 cat? Also, I like to do my own work so I need a yard where I can have the boat out for about a month and do my own thing. I would love some suggestions if there are any.

Thanks

Craig

[Tom and Maje]

Hi Craig,

Welcome to the list.

Maje

[Hudson Force]

Craig, Congratulations on your Robertson & Caine! I would suggest that you "google" Westland Marina Titusville for the contact information and inquire about your opportunities. This would be at Florida's central east coast with Port Canveral being the nearest inlet and with a very good "do it yourself" yard. I believe it has the lowest cost among Florida DIY locations.

[Bill_E]

Welcome! We had pretty good luck with Riverside Marina in Fort Pierce. I am not sure if their travel lift will accommodate a cat that large (wide). But you can contact them and see. There is also a CrackerBoy boatyard in Fort Pierce that many people seem to like.

And, I'm kind of fond of Fort Pierce. They have some pretty good restaurants and bars and fun events at the city marina. You'll probably need to rent a car, no matter where you end up.

[craig42]

Hello Folks.

Thanks for the tips. I will look into them and see what will work best for us. Does anyone on this list own a 45 leopard?

Cheers

Craig

[Blondibear]

Welkom Graig,

I am also from Cape Town but have been in the States for the last 18 years. We are currently looking at buying a Jaguar. Good luck with the boat.....would love to see it if you ever come to Houston.

[boatman61]

Shet man... anotha blodi Yarpi....
Welcome folks... good to have ya on CF... even if you are a Catman....

[Dave]

I own a Leopard 38 (#38). I know a couple of other Leopard owners that lurk here on and off. Most dedicated Leopard banter is on the Yahoo group.

Dave

Originally Posted by craig42

Hello Folks.

Thanks for the tips. I will look into them and see what will work best for us. Does anyone on this list own a 45 leopard?

Cheers

Craig

[Kashmir cat]

St. Augustine Marine (St. Augustine, FL) can haul a large cat. They won't let you do your own bottom paint but you can do anything else. GREAT marine supply store just a 10 minute bicycle away. GREAT town just a 15 minute bicycle away. Stay out of South Florida.

[mikefp60]

Sint Marteen has every service you would need. Dutch side. The way the weather has been so far this year getting to Florida would be a pretty tough go. Pretty tough getting to STM from BVI at the moment. Xmas winds are blowing stink.

St Thomas also has everything you need but its a bit more costly than STM.

Good luck with the new cat.

[Palarran]

I'd second Mike's suggestion of having the work done on St. Maartin. I can give you the contacts for anything you need, as I've used about everyone on the island

For a new watermaker, contact SK Watermakers - it's one heck of a unit. I do have a 400 gpd Village Marine unit for sale so dirt cheap it'd be almost free.

[craig42]

So Mike and Paralan, you figure it will be a hard ride up to Florida from St Martin next month? When is a good time.

Thanks for the offer on the watermaker? I bought a Sea Recovery but what do you want for yours as I know a guy who may be interested.

I would really like to get up to Florida but if I do not, then I can leave the boat in St Martin for a month. We are sailing for three years so we are shipping in our stuff to the US, thus I want to get to Florida. From there, first port of call is Cuba.

Cheers

Craig

[Palarran]

I really don't know about SXM to Florida but at least your going the right way.

In regards to the watermaker, $750 and he has to pick it up. It's at Captain Olivers in Oyster Pond right now. The unit worked, then we removed it to take to Electic to have it serviced, then it didn't work when we reinstalled it. Electic didn't do anything to the unit as they apparently don't service Village Marine. It's a compact unit. Runs off 230v 60hz.