About Us

Discover Our History—and the People, Craft, and Care That Set Us Apart

A Yard with Deep Community Roots

The Wharton Ship Yard in the 1950s.

The boatyard traces its origins to 1904, when the Wharton Shipyard opened on what is now Dumplings Drive. Founded by Joseph Lovering Wharton—builder of the iconic Clingstone—the yard served as the staging area for building the "House on the Rock" and served as home base for his family's boats and launches. Over time, it grew to serve a broader boating community while remaining in the Wharton family until 1973.

Through the following decades, the yard evolved, eventually becoming Jamestown Boatyard passing through several stewards. Their leadership helped shape the yard into the respected full-service facility it is today, now owned by Safe Harbors Marinas.

What truly sets Jamestown Boatyard apart is its people and traditions. Many customers have been with the yard for over a decade, returning year after year for the trust, consistency, and relationships built here. With more than 25 skilled technicians working year-round, the yard operates not just as a full-service facility, but as a community.

From holiday gatherings in the rig shop to fall pig roasts, Jamestown Boatyard has long fostered a culture that feels more like family than business.

More Than a Boatyard

Every year, JBY gives employees a local farm-raised turkey.

Craftsmanship & Capability

Recent Projects

SHM Jamestown Boatyard offers a comprehensive range of services, supporting everything from routine maintenance to complex refits and repairs.

Projects have included:

New yacht commissioning
Major refits and repairs
Teak deck replacement
Repowers and propulsion upgrades
Installation of solar and advanced charging systems
Bottom and keel fairing
Rigging and deck layout modifications
Awlgrip and gelcoat finishing

At the core of every project is a commitment to preventative maintenance—ensuring vessels not only perform at their best, but are cared for with long-term reliability in mind.

For more than 50 years, Jamestown Boatyard has been closely associated with Nautor’s Swan, a world-renowned Finnish boat builder, earning a reputation as one of the premier service destinations for these world-renowned yachts. From the earliest Sparkman & Stephens–designed Swan 36s to the latest models crossing oceans today, the yard’s technicians have worked on nearly every Swan ever built.

It’s no coincidence that the largest concentration of Swan yachts in the United States can often be found here. Whether arriving from the Caribbean, Europe, or coastal passages, Swan owners trust Jamestown Boatyard for its unmatched expertise and attention to detail.

A Destination for Swan Owners

See Swan Services

The People Behind the Yard

Among the seven men pictured here at Lennart Nielson's 2024 retirement party is over 200 Years of service to Jamestown Boatyard. The wall behind them marks the tenure of employees with plaques over 20 years of service.

CAREERS AT JBY

At the heart of JBY is a team whose experience is measured not just in skill—but in decades of dedication. Many of the faces here have spent the majority of their careers at the yard, creating a level of continuity and trust that is increasingly rare.

General Manager Brandon Somers began as a junior mechanic in 2006, growing through the ranks to lead the operation today. In the paint and glass department, Bruce Johnson brings over 35 years of expertise, setting the standard for finish work. Project Manager Andy Dickinson has guided complex refits and repairs for over 20 years, while the mechanical department is led by Kevin McLaughlin, whose steady hand has kept engines—and teams—running smoothly for years.

In the business office, Diane Archibald ensures the yard runs seamlessly day to day, continuing a family legacy alongside her husband Jim, who recently retired after more than 30 years at the yard.

Jamestown Boatyard is also a sought-after externship for local trade schools, reflecting its role in mentoring the next generation of marine professionals. It’s a place where faces are familiar, knowledge is passed down, and relationships are built to last.

In 2020, longtime owner Steve DeVoe transitioned the yard to Safe Harbor Marinas, ensuring continued investment in the facility while preserving the livelihoods of the team that defines it. Today, Safe Harbor Jamestown Boatyard remains committed to its heritage—combining over a century of craftsmanship with the resources to serve the next generation of sailors.

Since 2020, thoughtful capital improvements have sustained the legacy and appeal of the historic facility while preserving its character. Updates include a refreshed rig shop with modern amenities for customers and staff, replacement of the decades-old railway system, and new docks that reduce dependence on tidal cycles. These investments have allowed the yard to continue to support skilled local tradespeople and reinforce Jamestown Boatyard’s role at the heart of the Northeast marine industry.