eNews

Gulf Shores, Ala. – July 10, 2018 – Saunders Yachtworks and Maverick Yachts of Costa Rica have entered into an agreement to build sportfishing yachts for the U.S. market. Maverick will construct the cold-molded hulls and vessel superstructure at the company’s facility in Herradura, Costa Rica. Saunders will outfit the yacht at its boatyard in Gulf Shores, Ala…

Gulf Shores, Ala. – September 1, 2017 – Saunders Yachtworks has officially entered the outboard sales and service business following an agreement signed recently with Yamaha Marine Group. Saunders is now authorized to provide sales, service, repower and warranty support to Yamaha Outboard customers along the Gulf Coast….

Gulf Shores, Ala. – June 27, 2017 – Coastal Alabama’s Saunders Yachtworks and Costa Rica-based Marina Pez Vela have formed a strategic partnership that will allow the two full-service yacht yards to capitalize on their overlapping customer bases….

Gulf Shores, Ala. – October 13, 2016 – Saunders Yachtworks has added one more item to its portfolio of marine-related services:  long-term dry storage.

According to Saunders CEO John Fitzgerald, starting November 1, customers will be able to store their boats for an extended period of time in a newly constructed dry storage yard at the company’s primary location in Gulf Shores, Ala….

From the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance’s blog – “The clear blue Gulf Coast waters that attract millions of vacationers to Baldwin County every year provide more than just fishing, boating and beach day opportunities—they’re also an inherent part of coastal Alabama’s industry. For many businesses in Baldwin County, the water is integral to their success and legacy—one great example being Saunders Yachtworks….”

Gulf Shores, Ala. – February 5, 2016 – Saunders Yachtworks was presented with the Best Accomplishment in Refit Excellence Award at the first Refit International Exhibition & Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The company was nominated for completing a refit on the Quiteña, a 62-foot 2014 Viking Convertible.

The Quiteña was originally outfitted for sportfishing in the Gulf of Mexico, but the new owner and San Diego resident, Paul Fruchbom, wished to modify the boat to accommodate fishing in the Pacific Ocean, while retaining the 2014 Viking construction standard.

From Coastal Lifestyle Magazine’s December/January 2015-16 issue:  “It’s been a long and colorful voyage for Saunders Yachtworks from repairing diesel engines for tugboats and other commercial workboats along the northern Gulf Coast to specializing solely on the high-end pleasure craft that come from far and wide for the expert full-service attention they receive at Saunders’ facilities. It has always been a family concern – founder Andrew Saunders Sr. began the operation in the late 1950s with a $12,000 loan, and built a company with a reputation for being able to tackle just about anything…”

From InTheBite’s December 2015 issue: “Taking your pride and joy to the boatyard for service, repairs or upgrades doesn’t have to be a dreaded experience, especially with the high quality yards that have been setting the standard in recent years. Top boatyards like American Custom Yachts, Viking Service Center, Bayliss, Jarrett Bay, Saunders Yachtworks and A&J Boat Works are dedicated to helping you keep your boat in top condition whether its warranty work, general maintenance or something considerably more involved…”

Gulf Shores, Ala. – October 8, 2014 – Saunders Yachtworks announced today that the company has purchased the fuel polishing assets of Moore Marine, a Pensacola, Fla.-based fuel management company.

Saunders will operate the business out of their facility in Orange Beach, Ala., under the name Gulf Coast Clean Fuel. Nick Moore will join Saunders team as the senior technician for polishing, tank cleaning and fuel management. According to Saunders CEO John Fitzgerald, Gulf Coast Clean Fuel will not only provide its fuel services to the marine industry, but to commercial and industrial customers, as well.

Gulf Shores, Ala. – June 17, 2014 – With the recent addition of more than 13,000 square feet of covered work space, Saunders Yachtworks now offers nearly an acre of protected space within its two coastal Alabama boatyards.

This new addition brings Saunders’ total enclosed space to 35,000 square feet. According to CEO John Fitzgerald, the steady demand for the company’s four existing covered work bays led the company to speed up its plans for expansion.

Gulf Shores, Ala. – February 18, 2013 – Saunders Yachtworks was named 2012 “Business of the Year” by the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce during the chamber’s annual meeting on Feb. 15, 2013. Saunders’ President and CEO John Fitzgerald accepted the award.

“It is with great humility and honor that I accept this award on behalf of the employees at Saunders Yachtworks,” Fitzgerald said. “There is no way that my words can encompass the great skill and responsibility exercised by our talented employees. A great business can only succeed if it has the support of a great team, and Saunders is fortunate to have such a team in place.”

Gulf Shores, Ala. – August 31, 2012 – While officials are still determining the extent of the damage done by Hurricane Isaac, both Saunders Yachtworks facilities in coastal Alabama have come through the storm in great shape, despite being right at the edge of the storm. As Isaac entered the Gulf of Mexico, the Saunders crew spent several days hauling boats in Orange Beach and at the company’s brand-new facility in Gulf Shores.

“This was the first major storm to hit our area since we expanded to our new facility, and we weren’t taking any chances with storm preparation,” Saunders President and CEO John Fitzgerald said. “We hauled 50 boats between our two locations in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Because Isaac’s path shifted, we were fortunate to be spared the pounding that Mississippi and Louisiana received. We have a lot of friends and associates in those areas, and we are hoping for the best for them.”

Gulf Shores, Ala. – June 20, 2012 – The M/Y She’s My Lady II will go down in history at Saunders Yachtworks as the first boat hauled out at the new full-service facility on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in Gulf Shores, Ala. The 100-foot Broward is also the largest boat the company has hauled to date.

“This was truly an exciting day for Saunders Yachtworks,” John Fitzgerald, Saunders’ president and CEO, said. “Thanks to our top-notch crew, the process went off without a hitch. We’re grateful to Captain Mike Esser for choosing Saunders to haul the boat and to oversee the maintenance and repair projects.”

Gulf Shores, Ala. – April 23, 2012 – Saunders Yachtworks’ new boatyard is getting environmental accolades even before it has hauled the first boat. White-Spunner Construction Inc., and the entire construction team have been recognized by the Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP) with an Environmental Stewardship award for their significant and positive impact on the Alabama Gulf Coast economically, socially and environmentally.

PEP is a non-profit organization that exists to provide an opportunity for individuals and companies to join with others in promoting the need for business growth while enhancing the environment and quality of life. The group presented the award to White-Spunner, Saunders Yachtworks, and Clark, Geer, Latham & Associates at the 8th Annual PEPEnvironmental Stewardship Awards ceremony held on April 17, 2012, at the 5 Rivers Delta Center in Spanish Fort, Ala.

Gulf Shores, Ala. – February 16, 2012 – Saunders Yachtworks’ full-service boatyard and basin on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in Gulf Shores, Ala., is now opening its newest and largest facility.

The only brand new full-service boatyard to be built in the U.S. in recent memory will also be the largest in the Gulf Coast region. To celebrate, Saunders will host a grandopening event on Friday, March 30 to coincide with the 2012 Gulfcoast Boat & Yacht Show.