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Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard

SuperYacht Times Synopsis April 

The SuperYacht Times Synopsis, as brought to you by SYT iQ, gives you the rundown of the top business stories and market reports from last month.  

SYT Synopsis: A roundup of April 

When Charlie Dana’s wife rang in the middle of the night on a sailing trip to let him know that the last remaining shipyard in Newport was going to be put up for auction, Dana just couldn’t stop thinking about it. The yard’s fourth bankruptcy had obviously taken its toll, and though it would mean throwing away almost four centuries of Newport history, it was time to say goodbye and turn the once-booming yard into something a bit more modern… like condos. Or timeshares. This idea appalled the long-time sailor and former Commodore of the New York Yacht Club. And so he decided to do something about it.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/29193/image/large-2e2e1a179452eab8d645328609895319.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/29193"> Originally purchasing the yard with three other partners 20 years ago, Dana has since transformed the once-failing shipyard into one of the most successful yards in New England and, buying out his previous partners, now runs the business as a family operation. With a history in sailing, Dana proudly told me that today, Newport Shipyard welcomes the vast majority of the sailing superyachts in the area, and a fair portion of the motor yachts and smaller boats, too. But that’s not the ultimate aim. Newport Shipyard is about securing the future of a community, celebrating the maritime history of the area, and creating an establishment where everyone feels not just good to be there, but great.&nbsp;Recently turning 70 and with a new 28.65-metre all-aluminium motor yacht on the way from New England Boatworks, here, Charlie tells us the Newport Shipyard story.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/29194/image/large-ebcdb43535557db0281de481f71f3119.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/29194"> SYT: You’ve been sailing with your wife for over 40 years now. Did you always have a connection with yachting?No, my family weren’t into yachting at all! My mother rented a small house every summer in Martha’s Vineyard, and I would look out at the water and wonder why every single person didn’t want to be there. I actually have a very famous ancestor who wrote the book ‘Two Years Before the Mast’ - Richard Henry Dana Jr. He was from a good Boston family, Harvard-educated, and became an advocate for the common seaman because he had the ability to describe their lives at sea. But aside from that, no family connection! My wife and I both love it though. We built our former sailing yacht, the 71’ Saint Roque over 20 years ago and have sailed all over the world, and our youngest son is currently part of the Volvo Ocean Race.SYT: Tell me what attracts you to the Newport area.I went to college at the University of Denver, so I was away from the water for some time. What got me up to Newport was Ted Turner and the 1977 America’s Cup - the race where Courageous defended the Cup. I went up there as part of the organisation of the defence of the America’s Cup and I really never left after that! We raised our kids in Newport and we’ve been there for 41 years.&nbsp;SYT: The yard went bankrupt four times before you purchased it. What made you take the plunge?You have to look at photos of it because any description will never make it sound as bad as it was. We launched a new concept when we took over… we opened up a great café, we created a warm, welcoming atmosphere where people can watch the work being done on boats, and mix with crew and people working in the yard. I’ve always noticed that people love to see work going on, and it’s a great yachting vibe which has proven really successful. It’s really the yard that changed Newport. &nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/29195/image/large-3266dbd8e2cd670e8d77140eaa5e4f61.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/29195">Newport Shipyard before the transformation (above) - Newport Shipyard today (below) <img src="/uploads/store/photo/29190/image/large-08e43ec2dfe4df3d83600802b9a3d189.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/29190"> SYT: You’ve owned the shipyard now for 20 years, and now run the business with your family and three minority shareholders. Tell us about that progression.The first five years were very rough. We had to really build it as we went. I had great partners, but I was the biggest believer in the yard, so I started to buy out the other guys. I got into a majority position and I took in additional partners that are still in today.&nbsp;SYT: The yard also owns 11 houses in Newport, which you rent out to crew. How did that come about?My son, Eli, is the General Manager, and he was about to be a father for the first time six years ago. He wanted his family to live across the street, close to the yard. So he brought me to look at a blue-collar type of house. I told him that I thought it’s great and… maybe we want to buy more of them? Here we are six years later with 11 houses. It’s a good move for the yard and it also puts us into the neighbourhood, which is one of the oldest in Newport. We love the neighbourhood and they love us. They put out a newsletter every quarter, and they often write nice articles about the yard.&nbsp;SYT: Apart from the obvious economic benefit of a thriving Newport Shipyard, how else do you connect with the community?Anyone can walk into the shipyard. We have security but we don’t have a gate… so if you want to come in and go to our café or just go and take a look at the boats, you can. A lot of people in the community love that. When you arrive at most boat yards, you go in through big gates and they tell you everything that you cannot do. Of course, you have to have rules, but we’re trying to say yes in every way we can.SYT: Can you tell me a bit about the 28m Contraband you have in build at New England Boatworks?She’s progressing really well. We’re at the same yard where we built Saint Roque. We never had any crew on her, and my wife and I have done a lot of it on our own - sometimes we’d go from Newport all the way to the Bahamas. The reason we’ve gone to a powerboat now is that we’re very independent people, and we’re getting older… This boat is set up for the two of us to handle, and we have the option to have three crew as we get older. It has a long range capacity; she’ll cruise at 13 knots and she’s got tugboat-like engines, continuous duty Mitsubishis. She will be able to cross the Atlantic and she’s pretty rough and rugged. It’s our new adventure and to be honest with you, it’s still the idea of living on the water that appeals to me most.&nbsp;SYT: Will you cruise with your family onboard?Absolutely, our kids grew up on boats and they’ve all taken to it. We have eight grandchildren. My daughter told me that she hopes that Contraband will be for the grandchildren what&nbsp;Saint Roque&nbsp;was to her and her brothers when they were growing up, which is fantastic. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/29189/image/large-a93de0b0741fd288f59c2f824a61d4b5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/29189"> SYT: Do you have an exit plan?&nbsp;I love this business and I am very confident in the management of my son, so I don’t have an exit plan, but I don’t put in quite the hours that I once did. Eli isn’t trying to push me out of the door, and we get along incredibly well. I’m letting the next generation run things, and Eli is doing a great job. When he came in 14 years ago as dock master, he doubled the bottom line in dockage in just one year. He deserves a tremendous amount of the credit for the yard doing so well. Not only am I lucky, but Newport is lucky. <a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="font-size: 0.95rem;" target="_blank" title=""><img src="/uploads/store/photo/23641/image/large-5807815e2703721ae6618b7a54d59cdb.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/23641"></a>This article was featured in the most recent edition of the SuperYacht Times newspaper.<a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Subscribe now</a> to receive your copy straight to your door and never miss another issue.&nbsp;

Refitting yachts, rebuilding a community: Charlie Dana and the Newport Shipyard story 

Gemma FottlesHodgdon Yachts has launched the 100 ft. pre-preg carbon racing yacht Comanche, for well known superyacht owner Jim Clark. She was launched at Hodgdon Yachts yards in East Boothbay, Maine on Saturday, September 27, 2014.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/150959/image/large-5036679db1a164008225a782241818de.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/150959">The yacht will now be towed to Newport Shipyard, RI where the rig and the keel will be fitted and where she will conduct sea trials. When completed, she will be shipped to Sydney to compete in the Sydney to Hobart Race.

Hodgdon Yachts launch Comanche

Newport Shipyard's new 500 Metric Ton Marine Travelift, which will be the largest Travelift operating in New England, will be delivered to Newport's only and oldest working shipyard on May 29 and will be operational by June 21. This state-of-the-art lift will complement the 100 MT lift currently working at Newport Shipyard and will replace the 300 MT lift, which has handled a majority of the large yachts since its purchase 12 years ago.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/143994/image/large-88dc2dfad06f99b07b76c0916de18fa1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/142053">"We are looking forward to our new Travelift's arrival at the end of this month and anticipate attracting new business to Newport by operating the largest Travelift in the northeast," said Eli Dana, dockmaster of Newport Shipyard. "We hope by upgrading our haul-out capacity, super yachts will make Newport a destination for refit and repair work along with routine maintenance," Dana said. "Until now, we were able to haul yachts up to 150 feet but as sailing and motor yachts continue to grow in size, the need for a larger hoist became necessary," Dana said.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/143995/image/large-86084287a07fc5c2fbf1c5ec0f275de6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/143995">The new 500T lift will be able to handle yachts ranging from 50 foot catamarans to 200 foot superyachts. Additional features include night time work lights for emergency haul outs and a sound suppression package to reduce engine noise. "It is a big investment for us but we are confident it will attract larger yachts to New England and will be a win-win for everyone," Dana said.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/143996/image/large-3b4f520d008e5d6c5d920426c769297b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/143996">Newport Shipyard, Newport's only and oldest working boatyard, is located in the heart of downtown Newport and provides dockage for boats ranging in size from 20 to 350 feet. Dubbed 'New England's Yachting Hub,' Newport Shipyard is the host of many world class yachting events.Newport Shipyard +1 401 846 6000 <a href="mailto:info@newportshipyard.com?subject=Article%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">info@newportshipyard.com</a> <a href="http://www.newportshipyard.com" target="_blank">www.newportshipyard.com</a>

Newport Shipyard's new 500 MT marine travelift to arrive May 29

Newport Shipyard announced they have purchased a new 500 Metric Ton Marine Travelift, which will be the largest Travelift operating in New England. This state-of-the-art lift will complement the 100 MT lift currently working at the Shipyard and will replace the 300 MT lift, which has handled a majority of the large yachts since its purchase 12 years ago. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/142053/image/large-84da2d0a29627da6ced9270d9f3a5a40.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/142053">"This is a very exciting time not only for Newport Shipyard but also the Marine Industry in Rhode Island," said Eli Dana, dockmaster of Newport Shipyard. "We see a growing demand by super yachts wanting to visit our area but without the capacity to be hauled for repair work they go elsewhere. Until now, we were able to haul yachts up to 150 feet but as sailing and motor yachts continue to grow in size, the need for a larger hoist became necessary," Dana said. The new 500T lift, which will be fully operational in June of 2013, will be able to handle yachts ranging from 50 foot catamarans to 200 foot superyachts. Additional features include night time work lights for emergency haul outs and a sound suppression package to reduce engine noise. "It is a big investment for us but we are confident it will attract larger yachts to New England and will be a win-win for everyone," Dana said. Newport Shipyard +1 401 846 6000 <a href="mailto:info@newportshipyard.com?subject=Article%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">info@newportshipyard.com</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.newportshipyard.com">www.newportshipyard.com</a>