Our Story

25+ Years of Honest Marine Work on the SF Bay

Carlos started Carlos' Boat Works because he was tired of seeing Bay Area boaters get bad work done by big-shop marinas that didn't care. 25+ years later, the shop has the same philosophy: do the job right, treat the customer the way you'd want to be treated, and stand behind every repair.

25+
Years in business
500+
Boats serviced
5.0
Star rating
100%
Locally owned
Our Values

What We Stand For

Honest diagnostics

We tell you what's actually wrong — not what'll pad the bill. If a $30 fix solves your problem, that's the recommendation.

Master-craftsman work

Every repair is done to factory standards or better. We use marine-grade materials, never automotive shortcuts.

Direct access to the owner

When you call, you talk to Carlos or someone he trained personally. No service-writer middle layer.

Stand-behind warranty

We back our work. If something we did fails, we make it right — no fine print.

Certifications

Properly Trained. Properly Licensed.

ABYC Certified Technicians

Industry-standard certification covering electrical, marine systems, and corrosion. Required for working on modern boat systems.

Yamaha Outboard Service Certified

Authorized to perform warranty work and certified service on all Yamaha outboards.

Mercury Marine Trained

Factory-trained on Mercury, Mariner, and MerCruiser propulsion systems.

Suzuki & Honda Outboard Service

Trained service for the full Suzuki and Honda 4-stroke outboard lineup.

Yanmar & Volvo Penta Diesel

Certified marine diesel service — valve adjustments, injector service, full rebuilds.

Marine Survey Cooperation

We work with major marine surveyors on pre-purchase surveys, insurance surveys, and damage assessments throughout the Bay Area.

California Bureau of Automotive Repair

Licensed and bonded marine repair facility in good standing with the State of California.

Insurance Direct-Bill Network

Approved repair facility for BoatUS, Progressive, GEICO Marine, and most marine insurers. We handle the claim paperwork for you.

Our Process

How We Work With You

1

Free phone consultation

Call us. We'll talk through your boat, your concerns, and what you're trying to accomplish. No upsell, no pressure.

2

Honest assessment

Mobile diagnosis at your slip or full inspection at our shop. You get a clear, written estimate — not a vague range.

3

Approved scope only

We don't do work you didn't approve. If we find something else mid-project, we call you before touching it.

4

Quality work, on time

Marine-grade materials. Factory-spec procedures. Realistic timelines we actually hit.

5

Sea trial & sign-off

On major projects we run a sea trial together so you see your boat performing right before you take it home.

6

Stand-behind warranty

Every job is warranted. Something not right? Bring it back — we make it right.

Our Shop

557 Francisco Blvd. E., San Rafael, CA 94901. Full-service shop with covered indoor work bays.

Capabilities

  • Indoor heated work bays for paint, gelcoat, and fiberglass
  • Heavy-duty crane and lift capacity for engine R&R
  • Covered indoor work bay for paint, fiberglass, and major repairs
  • On-site machine shop for custom marine fabrication
  • Climate-controlled storage for winter projects
  • Direct waterfront access through the San Rafael Canal

Equipment

  • Diagnostic scan tools for every major engine brand
  • Compression and leak-down testers
  • Megger and multimeter for marine electrical work
  • Fuel-polishing system for diesel tank cleanup
  • HVLP paint booth for topside refinishing
  • Sandblasting and prep equipment for bottom paint

Our Warranty

Every repair we perform is backed by our shop warranty. We use marine-grade parts and factory-spec procedures so the work lasts.

  • Labor: 12 months from completion on all labor we perform.
  • Parts: Manufacturer warranty on all parts — we handle warranty claims for you.
  • Engine repairs: Engine work carries 12-month / 100-hour warranty (whichever comes first).
  • Paint & gelcoat: 12-month warranty on adhesion and finish quality.

Ready to Get Your Boat in Prime Condition?

Bring your boat to our covered shop in San Rafael for full-service repair, maintenance, paint, and refits. Call (415) 524-5194 or send a message — we respond same day.

Call (415) 524-5194