Berkeley Marine Center Reviews

These guys are the best! Definitely the go to place for maintenance and repair, for sailboats in the San Francisco Bay area.

I. Like. To work. In. This. Place. Is my. Favorite. Thank you. A. Dad. Believe. I learned. Many. Trades. Than. God bless you

I took my Catalina 38 in for routine haul out and bottom painted . I decided to have Berkeley Marine Service paint the topside. Total package =$15,000.
"Blue Eyes"
Patrick Harpole
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is dark blue (Navy Blue). Berkeley Marine Services painted her Royal Blue which is a much lighter color. I confronted Cree and he said he wanted to "make Patrick happy" so he painted it Navy Blue which I had originally requested. However what I didn't know is that he charged me over $4,000 to correct their mistake.
Due to rain early this year my boat was in dry dock for over 4 months. Berkeley Marine Service failed to either disconnect the onboard refrigerator or supply shore power. This caused inverter to ineffectively run appliance which destroyed my storage batteries. Eventually Berkeley Marine Service plugged Blue Eyes into shore power. The Xantrex inverter tried to charge dead batteries which destroyed inverter. Xantrex inverter is not designed to charge dead batteries.
I stopped payment on $6,000 (I have paid $21,000) and AMEX attempted to negotiate with BMS but they refused.
If you decide to use BMS be particularly aware of Ruben who seems to be friendly and helpful which is a disguise.
In summary.....take your vessel elsewhere
Patrick Harpole, MD
September 12, 2019

I recently had my boat hauled at Berkeley Marine Center. I had the opportunity to meet Jen, Cree, Julio, and Rubin. All were very friendly, helpful and hospitable. I am happy I decided to go there and do the work myself. It was a great environment to work in and I felt comfortable every minute. Thanks Cree for your help and advice. I am certainly glad to see you haven't fallen in line with the other "so called" marinas in the bay area. You run a great place and can expect my business again soon.

Currently closed to the public, BUT no signage or other posted information about current operating conditions, how bout some "information " thanks

I completed today an 8 day layup at Berkeley Marine Center and could not be more pleased. Donna, Quincy, Sonya and Rubin are awesome to work with and helped me keep on track and get back in the water on schedule. I had them replace three through-hull valves and their labor / pricing were fair and reasonable. If you're willing to do some or most of the work yourself, it's definitely the best way to go. All yards have expensive labor. Welcome to the Bay Area - but the satisfaction you get from doing the work yourself, yet having them to help where needed it the perfect combination. I have nothing but great things to say about the yard and crew.

I am an employee at the "BMC" and I also worked there when I was sixteen years old
attending Berkeley High school. I love the family I work for and wake up every day
happy that I love where I work. Cree and Julie are super awesome and fair. I also own
a rare and valuable boat that is cared for and tended to by the "BMC". The knowledge base and family atmosphere are all encompassing. I am happy knowing that I will
be a part of the ongoing preservation of what makes people happy(Boats and everything they represent). I am a Boat Builder and proud of it............................

What a great experience. These people love what they do. We did all our own work except the actual application of the bottom paint. They helped us out with tips and advice when we asked for it. They were very flexible and seemingly worked around our schedule instead of the other way around. They really listened to what we wanted. I don't think that if I owned the yard that I could have gotten better service. Thank you Rubin, Julio, Shannons, and the rest of the crew.
Working on a boat out of the water is not much fun, but they did their best to make it pleasurable and safe.

Never have I worked with such an unprofessional company. I needed my transmission replaced, something they told me would take a day. My boat ended up being there over three weeks, during which time they did nothing. I was made promise after promise about when it would be done, but, they didn't honor any of them.

I'm now having the boat towed to a more professional yard (KKMI) to actually do the work.

In short, the single worst experience I've ever had with any company.

Staff was more than friendly and helpful...especially during COVID.

The Berkeley Marine Center is a professional boat yard that has years and years of ownership experience in the industry. We have used that yard many times over the years. Cree is a solid old salt that is as nice as they come. He can answer any boat question!

I just spent 4 days working on my sailboat at the Berkley Marine Center and I was truly impressed by every aspect of this company. The staff is friendly and extremely knowledgeable and there's just a good vibe around the yard. The shop had everything I needed for the bottom job and the prices were reasonable. I left happy and would highly recommend this yard to anyone looking to do work on their boat.

I had very good luck at this facility. I ve hauled a few vessels out of the water at most of the of the SF Bay Area yards, if not all of them. This is now my favorite place to do the dirty work under the boat. It s busy and one needs to plan.

They were super friendly and helpful the entire time. They even through in some free materials.

No boatyard is better. Been there many times. The owner is passionate about all types of boats and has built some himself. Knowledgable as well as helpful, it's not just the money for him, he loves the work/ Up on all kinds of boats but he has vast experience in wooden vessels.
Good natured employees and the setting is stunning. Has a huge park with a view of the bay / Golden Gate bridge as well as sailboats going in and out of the marina. in a natural setting of trees grass and sky. Too lovely to describe. .
If you like people, this is a good place. The sea air blows fresh air through you and it's a clean place to work. No problem staying on your boat. The chandlery is fair and has stuff not found anywhere. Whether a first timer or veteran you will be coming back.
Be sure to make reservations in advance though, it's very popular.

Need to have alot of money. Be careful what you sign.