Perry Hoogendam
Top 5 Boatyards: The Hurricane Hideout Hall of Fame
The Caribbean hurricane season, June 1 to November 30, is a nail-biter for yacht owners. With storms like Hurricane Beryl in 2024 shaking up even "safe" spots, choosing where to store your boat is a high-stakes decision. Grenada, Trinidad, Curaçao, and Aruba are top picks for cruisers, each offering unique boatyards, services, and trade-offs. This article dives into the ups and downs of each destination, backed by cruiser insights, and ranks the top five boatyards to help you pick the perfect hurricane hideout. Buckle up—it’s going to be a wild, informative ride!
Grenada: The Spice Isle’s Cruiser Haven
Grenada, just north of the hurricane belt, has long been a cruiser favorite for its vibrant sailing community and solid boatyards. After Beryl’s rare southerly hit in 2024, some insurers are rethinking Grenada’s "safe" status, so check your policy. Cruisers love the island’s lush vibe, cheap local transport, and social scene, but petty theft and rainy season humidity can be drawbacks.
Boatyards and Services
Spice Island Marine Services (Prickly Bay): A cruiser darling with space for 240 boats, a 70-ton travelift (25-foot beam), and mast racks. Offers tiedowns, storage lockers, and DIY-friendly policies. On-site: Budget Marine chandlery, restaurant, studio apartments, laundry, rigger (MSB Yacht Rigging), sailmaker (Neil Pryde Sails), electrician, and mechanical services. Cruisers rave about the “prettiest boatyard” but note it’s pricier.
Clarkes Court Boatyard & Marina (Woburn Bay): Features a 242-ton travelift (37-foot beam, 13-foot draft). DIY allowed, but outside contractors are limited due to an exclusive deal with 12 N. On-site: chandlery, rigger, electrician, welder, and mechanical services. Cruisers appreciate the tranquil setting but mention limited nearby amenities.
Grenada Marine (St. David’s Harbour): A 70-ton travelift (31.5-foot beam) handles catamarans and monohulls. DIY-friendly with on-site rigger, electrician, welder, and chandlery. Cruisers like the protected anchorage but note it’s remote, requiring transport for provisioning.
Pros: Vibrant cruiser community, good facilities, relatively safe from hurricanes. Cons: Humidity, potential theft, and post-Beryl insurance concerns.
Trinidad: The Repair Hub Outside the Hurricane Belt
Trinidad, south of the hurricane belt, hasn’t seen major storm damage since 1933, making it a low-risk choice. Chaguaramas Bay is a yachting mecca with top-notch repair facilities, but crime concerns and a less scenic vibe dampen the appeal. Cruisers praise the affordable services and liveaboard community but warn about securing valuables.
Boatyards and Services
Peake Yacht Services (Chaguaramas): Stores 350 boats with a 160-ton travelift (31-foot beam). Full-service with on-site chandlery, rigger, welder, electrician, fiberglass work, painting, and Patches Restaurant. Offers a free shuttle for provisioning. Cruisers love the comprehensive services but note higher costs.
Power Boats (Chaguaramas): Hauls over 500 yachts yearly with a 50-60 Ton lift and a trailer for the smaller and midsize catamarans, storing 250 on the hard. DIY-friendly with chandlery, rigger, electrician, welder, and mechanical services. Cruisers appreciate the “family” vibe but mention crowded high-season storage.
Coral Cove: A budget option with a 70-ton travelift. Offers rigger, electrician, and basic chandlery. Cruisers like the lower costs but note fewer amenities compared to Peake or Power Boats.
Pros: Outside hurricane belt, excellent repair facilities, affordable trades. Cons: Crime concerns, less scenic, crowded in peak season.
Curaçao: Dutch Charm Below the Belt
Curaçao, part of the ABC islands, lies safely below the hurricane belt, with rare storm hits (Felix in 2007 was a close call). Willemstad’s colorful backdrop and Dutch influence charm cruisers, but limited boatyard options and distance from the Windwards/Leewards are drawbacks. Sailing back north means battling trade winds, which can be a slog.
Boatyards and Services
Curaçao Marine (Willemstad): A 60-ton Roodberg slipway trailer handles boats up to 70 feet. Offers rigger, electrician, welder, chandlery (Budget Marine nearby), and mechanical services. Cruisers praise the well-protected marina but note limited storage space.
Pros: Safe from hurricanes, charming island, good services. Cons: Fewer boatyards, tough upwind sail to Windwards/Leewards.
Aruba: The Safest Bet with a Catch
Aruba, also in the ABCs, is the safest from hurricanes, with no direct hits in recent history. Its sunny, arid climate and lively tourism scene are cruiser magnets, but the island’s western location makes returning to the Windward and Leeward Islands a grueling upwind battle against relentless trade winds—think 20-25 knots and choppy seas. Cruisers love Aruba’s safety but groan about the “trade wind horror” when heading back.
Boatyards and Services
Varadero Aruba Marina & Boatyard (Oranjestad): Offers 400 dry berths, a 60-ton Roodberg slipway trailer, and 70 wet slips. On-site: chandlery (Budget Marine nearby), rigger, electrician, welder, mechanical services, and guestrooms. French-speaking staff cater to Amel and Lagoon owners. Cruisers praise the modern facilities but note higher costs and remoteness from sailing routes.
Renaissance Marina: Primarily a marina. On-site: electrician, mechanical services, and nearby chandlery. Cruisers like the upscale vibe but find storage limited.
Pros: Safest from hurricanes, modern facilities, tourist-friendly. Cons: Expensive, challenging return sail, fewer cruiser-oriented yards.
Top 5 Boatyards: The Hurricane Hideout Hall of Fame
Choosing a boatyard is like picking a storm shelter—it’s gotta be solid, practical, and maybe even a little fun. Here’s our top five, ranked for safety, services, and cruiser vibes:
Peake Yacht Services (Trinidad): The repair hub king. With a 160-ton travelift, full-service workshops, and a free shuttle, it’s a cruiser’s dream. Outside the hurricane belt and packed with amenities, it’s the gold standard. Just lock your stuff—crime’s a buzzkill.
Spice Island Marine Services (Grenada): The “prettiest boatyard” blends charm and function. A 70-ton travelift, Budget Marine chandlery, and on-site apartments make it a cruiser haven. Post-Beryl insurance checks are a must, but the vibe is unbeatable.
Varadero Aruba Marina & Boatyard (Aruba): The hurricane-proof champ. Modern facilities, French-speaking staff, and guestrooms scream convenience. The trade wind slog back north is the only storm you’ll face.
Power Boats (Trinidad): A “family” yard with 500+ hauls yearly. DIY-friendly, with all services and a lively liveaboard scene. It’s crowded in peak season, but the value is hard to beat.
Clarkes Court Boatyard & Marina (Grenada): A serene option with a 242-ton travelift for big boats. Prices are not being cheap are a downside for smaller yachts, but the peaceful setting and solid services make it a contender.
Final Thoughts
Grenada offers a lively community but faces insurance scrutiny post-Beryl. Trinidad’s repair prowess and hurricane-free status are hard to beat, despite crime concerns. Curaçao balances safety and charm but lacks boatyard variety. Aruba’s the safest weather-wise, but the trade wind gauntlet back to the Windwards/Leewards is a beast. Weigh your boat’s needs, your sailing plans, and cruiser reviews to pick your spot. Wherever you haul out, secure your boat, double-check insurance, and maybe sip a rum punch to ease the stress. Your yacht deserves a safe haven—choose wisely and sail on ⛵
Haulout at Spice Island Marine, Grenada