"After the failure of a Detroit part, Saunders was waiting at the dock for us and jumped on the problem, no questions asked. I was impressed with Saunders attitude."

Gordon Gill / M/V Never Better 55’ Hatteras Convertible

"The service writer did an outstanding job of keeping me informed on the problems and the work."

Bill Morris / Bill's Frills 56' Sea Ray

"The Saunders staff tried very hard to solve my issues and were very clear with regard to expectations."

Jon Weyand / Weypoint 33' Pearson True North

"Your employees are the best and truly have the owner’s best interest in mind."

Rusty Bliss / Bliss 44' Defever Trawler

"I highly appreciate the attitude of the craftsmen."

Dick Cappar / Blue Sky 53' Hatteras

"After the failure of a Detroit part, Saunders was waiting at the dock for us and jumped on the problem, no questions asked. I was impressed with Saunders attitude."

Gordon Gill / M/V Never Better 55’ Hatteras Convertible

"The service writer did an outstanding job of keeping me informed on the problems and the work."

Bill Morris / Bill's Frills 56' Sea Ray

"The Saunders staff tried very hard to solve my issues and were very clear with regard to expectations."

Jon Weyand / Weypoint 33' Pearson True North

"Your employees are the best and truly have the owner’s best interest in mind."

Rusty Bliss / Bliss 44' Defever Trawler

"I highly appreciate the attitude of the craftsmen."

Dick Cappar / Blue Sky 53' Hatteras

COMMITTED TO THE CRAFT

Quality service, integrity, and hard work. That’s what gets us out of bed every morning. And it’s what keeps our customers coming back. Because Saunders is about more than just delivering on a promise and ensuring a smooth transaction. It’s about relationships. That’s the way we’ve been doing business since 1959. And that’s how we will continue to build our business:  by relentlessly serving the marine community with quality, integrity, and a commitment to exceeding expectations every day. We’re committed to excellence. We’re committed to our customers and to each other. We’re committed to the craft.

 

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

In 1959, Saunders Engine & Equipment Company, Inc. was founded in Mobile, Ala., by Andrew Saunders, Sr. From the beginning, Mr. Saunders established customer service as the primary responsibility of the company. He believed that if you “did a man a good job,” he would call you back. Today, the Saunders family is still a big part of the company. Members of the second and third generation represent the majority of company ownership and are currently active in management.

 

COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF CAPABILITIES

With a “Can-Do” attitude, our skilled employee group ranges from diesel service technicians to master craftsmen in marine carpentry and paint. We keep all of these skills in-house through aggressive recruiting and retention of our talented staff.

 

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE

We believe that the natural resources provided to the boating community must be preserved and maintained. At our boatyard, we exceed all EPA requirements for effluent control and runoff elimination. Our field service team is very careful to contain all oils, coolant, refrigerant, paints or other toxic material.

 

CORPORATE SUPPORT

Saunders Yachtworks supports marine preservation and conservation through organizations whose mission it is to enhance natural marine resources. These organizations include the Coastal Conservation Association, Billfish Foundation and Nature Conservancy. We support our industry through our activity in the American Boat Builder and Repairers Association and membership in the American Boat and Yachting Council. Finally, we support our local economy through membership in the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber.

Company Timeline


1959
Benson Specialty Company established in Mobile, Ala., to service commercial vessels.
1966
Andrew A. Saunders, Sr., named President.
1968
Renamed Saunders Engine & Equipment Company, Inc.
1975
Andrew A. Saunders, Jr., named President.
1986
Entered the specialized high-performance marine engine service market.
1990
Saunders Engine & Equipment named “Small Business of the Year” by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.
1991
Saunders Yacht Services started as an operational division, adding management and parts support.
1993
Saunders Yachtworks opened as a mechanical service facility in Orange Beach, Ala.
1994
Entered the full-service boatyard business with a 60-ton boat lift and a 10,000-square-foot works building.
2004
Hurricane Ivan pushed four feet of water into the boatyard and caused major damage. Employees had the boatyard operational within a week.
2007
Saunders Yachtworks becomes the sole focus of the corporation; Mobile, Ala., operation sold.
2008
Began construction of a new corporate headquarters and mechanical service shop in Gulf Shores, Ala. John Fitzgerald named as company President.
2009
Named “Boatyard of the Year” by the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association. Jim Bronstien named Chairman of the Board.
2012
Boatyard and service basin in Gulf Shores open for business. Hauled largest boat to date. Saunders named “Business of the Year” by Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce.
2014
Added 13,000 square feet of covered work space to Gulf Shores location.
2016
Opened a dry storage yard adjacent to the boatyard in Gulf Shores. Saunders recognized for "Best Accomplishment in Refit Excellence" at the Refit International Exhibition & Conference.
2017
Saunders forms strategic alliance with Marina Pez Vela in Costa Rica. Location in Orange Beach renamed "Saunders Marine Center and adds Yamaha, Mercury, and Evinrude outboard dealerships.
2018
Saunders partners with Maverick Yachts Costa Rica to build sportfishing yachts.
2019
Saunders celebrates the company's 60th anniversary.
2021
Saunders named first certified Clean and Resilient Marina by the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium.
2022
Saunders partners with TwoHarbors Property Partnership LLC, a real estate investment group.
2023
Saunders Marine Center named a Mastry Suzuki RePower Center and adds Suzuki to its outboard lineup.