Svendsen’s Bay Marine Launches Multi-Million-Dollar Expansion to Transform California Boatyard
Svendsen’s Bay Marine, a longstanding maritime institution in the San Francisco Bay Area, has officially completed a sweeping, multi-million-dollar expansion and modernization project at its Richmond boatyard. With a history dating back to 1963, Svendsen’s Bay Marine has long been synonymous with high-quality marine service, and this latest transformation firmly positions it as California’s premier 21st-century boatyard.
The extensive upgrade nearly doubles the size of the facility to five acres and introduces a range of advanced features that elevate the yard to a new standard in marine service, sustainability, and technology. Among the highlights of the project is California’s first-ever indoor yacht paint booth—a major milestone for the state’s marine industry.
A New Era of Capabilities
The expanded boatyard is designed to accommodate the growing demands of both recreational sailors and commercial maritime clients. Svendsen’s Bay Marine President Bill Elliott emphasized the strategic intent behind the development:
“This expansion positions us to handle larger vessels and more complex projects while exceeding environmental standards. We are meeting growing demand from both recreational and commercial clients across the West Coast.”
The facility now features:
- California’s First Indoor Yacht Paint Booth: A fully enclosed, eco-friendly space equipped with HEPA filtration that captures overspray and particulates. The booth can accommodate vessels up to 75 feet in length, providing unmatched paint quality in a controlled environment.
- 100-Ton Remote-Controlled Travel Lift: Designed to handle large vessels with ease and precision, this new lift significantly increases the yard’s hauling capabilities.
- Expanded Engine, Rigging, and Metal Shops: These upgraded workspaces allow the boatyard to take on complex mechanical and structural work, from complete repowers to custom fabrication.
- New Floating Docks and Extended Berths: These upgrades enable the facility to welcome larger yachts and commercial vessels.
- Dedicated Mast Rigging and Repair Zone: A specialized area designed to streamline rigging work, from minor repairs to full mast replacements.
- New Large Boat Shop: A massive enclosed space built specifically for extensive refits and new vessel construction projects.
- Enlarged Marine Supply Store: With an expanded inventory of essential parts and supplies, the store supports both do-it-yourself boaters and professional contractors.
Sustainability at the Core
A defining element of the expansion is Svendsen’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Every aspect of the renovation was designed with sustainability in mind.
At the heart of these green initiatives is a newly installed state-of-the-art stormwater treatment plant. This advanced system filters all runoff to potable quality, effectively preventing any discharge into the nearby bay. The redesigned drainage system complements the stormwater treatment plant by optimizing the flow and containment of runoff throughout the yard.
The indoor paint booth’s HEPA filtration system further enhances environmental compliance by capturing 99.97% of airborne particles. In combination, these measures ensure the yard not only meets but exceeds stringent local, state, and federal environmental regulations.
“We’ve built a facility that’s not only future-ready in terms of technology and service but also environmentally responsible,” said Elliott. “This is about raising the bar for what a modern boatyard can be.”
Serving a Broad Range of Maritime Clients
Svendsen’s Bay Marine’s enhanced capabilities have already attracted a diverse and prestigious clientele. The facility currently serves vessels from:
- The California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- The U.S. Coast Guard
- California State Parks
- The California Maritime Academy
- Hornblower Cruises
- The San Francisco Police Department
This broad customer base highlights the boatyard’s reputation for reliability, technical skill, and operational excellence. With its expanded infrastructure, Svendsen’s Bay Marine is poised to take on even more complex and large-scale projects in the years to come.
Celebrating the Grand Opening
To commemorate this major milestone, Svendsen’s Bay Marine is inviting the public to a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, June 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Richmond facility.
The event will feature:
- Guided Tours of the expanded facility
- Live Equipment Demonstrations
- Marine Industry Exhibits
- Complimentary Food and Beverages
- A Free Raffle to win a full boat haul-out and bottom painting service
This family-friendly event is an opportunity for the public to see firsthand the cutting-edge advancements made at the yard and to connect with professionals from across the local marine industry.
Supporting the Local Economy and Boating Community
The expansion also brings substantial benefits to the local economy. With increased service capacity, Svendsen’s Bay Marine is expected to create new skilled labor opportunities in fields such as marine engineering, painting, welding, rigging, and customer service.
Additionally, the improved facility serves as a valuable resource for the Bay Area’s vibrant boating community—ranging from yacht owners and sailing enthusiasts to commercial maritime operators and marine researchers.
By investing in technology, sustainability, and craftsmanship, Svendsen’s Bay Marine has reaffirmed its role as a regional leader in marine service while setting a new benchmark for boatyards across the country.
The completion of the Richmond boatyard expansion marks just the beginning of a new chapter for Svendsen’s Bay Marine. The company plans to continue innovating in marine systems integration, alternative propulsion technologies, and sustainable vessel operations.
As Elliott notes, “This is not just a renovation—it’s a reinvention. We’ve created a facility that anticipates the future of boating, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of that evolution.”
With its deep roots in the Bay Area and eyes firmly set on the future, Svendsen’s Bay Marine stands as a powerful example of how tradition and innovation can come together to propel an entire industry forward.