2019 Refitting in Caribbean

[gmakhs]

After extensive cruising with my boat and some exploring in West Africa , I am in great need of a good refit and repairs , I am looking for a place in Caribbean where I can get the above items in logical and fair prices and even for a cheap yard to take the boat out of the water (which I don't think will be necessary)

New outboard 2.5 hp
New pullays for the running backstay (both spare and main are broken )
Fiberglass and epoxy
Marine plywood
Ropes (normal marine ropes that doesn't cost 8 euros per metter)
Balsa core or alternative
Flexible or stainless still tanks
Inox work , I need to replace my rudder shaft and possibly the windvane shaft after the Atlantic
Cosmetic repairs (the hull have take few scratches )
Possible getting the keel removed for inspection
Raymarine dealer to change autopilot drive in waranthy (the seccond I broke )
Volvo penta spares and maybe some repair
Access to materials for cushions (cockpit and inside )
Rudder bearings from teflon
Ability to get items from China or other country without customs (like from Spain to canaries )
Could this be possible with Martinique and France ??
If the country belongs to a European country it will be easier for me since I can work legally .
Any advice is welcome , I can always buy thinks from different islands and places .

[contrail]

St. Martin/ Snt. Maarten

[boatman61]

I would second SXM.. half French half still Dutch but self determining.. Dutch side is/was duty free and its chandlers are the cheapest in the islands.
It did get hit badly last year and is struggling to recover but the yards should be back up and running.
Some very skilled tradesmen around both sides of the island if you ask around.. for stainless steel work there's a SA guy near the French bridge who does great work at reasonable cost.

[sck5]

Saint Martin. No question. If you go elsewhere they are likely to be sending to st. martin for whatever parts you need.

[belizesailor]

Further West the Rio Dulce and Cartagena are also good options. Links to past discussions:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ce-127962.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ena-14290.html


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=142658

[doublewide]

St Maarten has everything
For US citizens, especially, St Thomas is a good place to buy sails, electronics, and chain.
le Marin in Martinique is a huge yachting center, though we have not tried to refit there

[sck5]

You are right about Le Marin. It has everything but it helps if you speak French and also if your boat is metric (though they do have a lot of stuff in inches and feet too)

But SXM is tax free. Still the best place unless you are already in the Windwards.

[Symphony]

I delivered 2 boats from Le Marin, Martinique to the USA. factory dealerships are there in Le Marin with genuine parts at shocking prices. we buy a few nice French food items from the lovely grocery Marche' (they deliver to the marinas for free) and the barest minimum of rescue tape and line, then sailed to St Martin for the majority of food and repairs to stove, rig, fuel jugs, and fuel. Le Marin is very nice but St Martin is nice too with comparitvely great selection and price.

[ocean.jedi]

There is always a trade off between cheaper unskilled labor and access to skilled crafts persons. Ocean Jedi has had good work done on it in Varadero Marina in Aruba. importation of parts for re-export is duty free and off the shelf, stock items are available at a reasonable price from various vendors on the island. It’s south of the hurricane belt which means you can do the work while you wait out the season, although that is the busy time there so plan ahead. It’s an option to consider

[SouthernPride]

I agree with others except for USVI. Just won the award for worst crime related island in the Caribbean. They will steal you're I teeth if you stand still too long.

[gmakhs]

Most of the labor will be from me , I am more interested in retail prices.

[pippatheskippa]

Although St Maarten is indeed a great place for buying parts at Duty Free Prices, Clarke's Court in Grenada has great haul out facilities, and plenty of chandleries, as well as a wide range of specialists to advise on repairs etc.

[mvmojo]

Look at the USVI (St. Croix) if you need to have stuff shipped from the US - it can come in at US Postal rates rather than international shipping rates. No duty either.