Cooper River Boatyard in
North Charleston (SC)

Do not recommend! This boatyard (Matias) makes promisses it knowingly cannot uphold. The communication is terrible (no response on texts/emails) and management (Travis) clearly doesn't care, so don't expect improvement with these people. I recommend you do your business elsewhere and save some headaches. Update 10/30/2024: Regarding the standard ChatGPT answer from the Boatyard below. Apparantly the administration is of the same quality as their communication. The boat name is on the intake form. That could be considered identifying information. Also, how many people tried to file a complaint yesterday that you can't work out which of the unhappy customers I am?

Had a great crew! Right on time and splashed our 40,000 lbs tug boat today with great care!!! Also helped us put on the 2 sections. Boat was splashed and together in 75 minutes. Wil is the man!! Thanks so much guys! Also the office staff was super accommodating and helpful. I was in a pinch and needed it done in a few days. Paperwork was all done online and all was very thorough!! I really appreciate such a great experience. It is rare these days!!!

Friendly, easy to work with professionals at this boatyard that is convenient to Charleston. Kept us informed of weather and other happenings that could delay our haul/launch, keeping safety top of mind.

Update by Jerry Slayton 6-23-2024 - The below review is still accurate for the management at that time -2014- then called Pierside Boat Yard, owned by John Something. I understand management has changed and most likely employees too. I am interested to hear a report from a friend planning to use this yard soon. 2014 Review: Positives: Concrete areas for DIY work, ladders, trash can, power, water readily available. Most workers are friendly and want to be helpful. Negatives: Serious attitude problems with the management trying to delay DIY progress to sell more time. Extremely sensitive to DIY constructive criticism - when two men took two hours trying to pull the prop with the wrong tool, I commented to them that they had the wrong tool and "It will make me feel better if you move that bolt away from fiberglass" and went on about my work. This comment warranted a lecture from the supervisor about "standing over someone shoulder". My punishment for this comment was delaying the prop pulling and other requests. I finally borrowed a puller from a diver friend and pulled it myself in 10 minutes. Another request to lift the boat and reseal keel/hull joint and tighten keel nuts made on Monday was delayed till Thursday causing bottom paint to be rushed. I could have done the keel work myself also but I asked for and expected the boat to be lifted to do it right. They did not lift the boat to do this seal right. I asked 4 separate times over 4 days to do the keel work before getting it half way (did not lift the boat and did not properly torque nuts) done on Thursday. The ONLY time management came to me was to tell me I should not launch the boat with such little bottom paint cure time. Nice guys working there would offer a tip on work I was performing and say "but don't tell (management) I told you".

Great experience. Quick and easy to schedule. Very friendly staff. Easy to access and work on my boat as I needed. Back in the water earlier than expected.

Of all the boatyards I have used In the Charleston SC area, and I have used the big boys. The one I used this week killed It!! Cooper River Boatyard worked with me and my team to pack up a 36' Sportfish boat for a client who purchased her here to be shipped to NJ. Now, I have worked on boatyards all over the country doing this, but this was just a phenomenal experience with no regrets or problems. Alot of boatyards discourage DIY and outside contractors from working on their yards. NOT THIS ONE.... From Scheduling 2 weeks ago, the communication, friendly and unusually polite and helpful staff worked with me every step of the way. I'm not kidding. Clean yard, Security like I've never seen, and GOOD modern, and safe equipment all check the boxes. Should you need a great place to do maintenance or much more, these guys are now on my preferred list. (And no I'm not paid for this. I paid them.. )

These guys offer an affordable, reliable, and professional boatyard experience. We thoroughly enjoy working with the folks at CRBY and will continue to recommend their yard to our clients.

These are some of the most helpful and honest people. Also, it is a very safe and secure place to store your boat. If you are looking for drydock or rack storage for your boat. I would highly suggest checking here first.

Great service. I had them put anti-fouling on my new boat that had just a gelcoat finish below the waterline. They put on three coats of barrier coat and two coats of antifouling paint and sent pictures throughout the process to show their progress. I could not have expected a better experience.

Best boatyard in Charleston! Great team and yard! Shaun (Charleston Party Cat)

Picked up my Sporty this morning after getting a bottom-paint job done, and I'm extremely pleased. Quality work, friendly staff and on-time and on-budget.

I’m not sure where to begin. Everything about my experience here was amazing. Starting with Elly and getting scheduled for haul out was seamless. She got the contract to me (which details the daily and monthly fees) and explained exactly what was needed from me. I got the registration and insurance documents to her and was immediately scheduled. I had a breakdown on the ICW half way between Beaufort and Charleston. Elly happened to call and check on my trip progress right after I anchored. Luckily I had just set up BoatUS. Elly took the bull by the horns and got me towed to Charleston and arranged for a dockage that night at the Stare Park marina for me. Next morning I was hauled out. Everything from there on was just as great service. The owner and every employee is friendly and helpful. Excess expenses were explained and they helped me coordinate the DYI portion for me to bring expenses down. It’s quite a process fixing de-lamination as bad as I had but these folks made the process a great learning experience. I’d be hard pressed to trust anyone with my boat like I do this group of people.

Amazing company! Had a issue with my steering on my sailboat. I was in a tough place because I needed to get back home, but I didn’t make it to my marina in Georgia. I called Ross, and Marine Propulsion with not even a call back. When I called Cooper River, they answered the phone and got things worked out for me in minutes. Elly in the office was wonderful emailing me exact directions with a exact quote on what to do and what my charges would be. I pulled my boat in at 10 in the morning and the had it out 20 minutes later and moved to the yard ready for me to work on it. Amazing company and amazing staff all the way around!

Had a bottom job done. Nightmare. Hauled out 8 months later to have it fixed. They had us on the hard for way too long and used the excuse that they couldn’t get the paint. They didn’t even try to order the paint until after we had been there for a week, racking up hotel, and vehicle expenses. Zimmerman Marine brought us in there, told us we could work on the boat while there and even though Cooper River wasn’t doing anything on our boat, we weren’t being charged daily fees. Wrong. And no one told us until over a week into it. Cooper River kept us in the sling overnight after moving the boat to get to the areas under the supports. They put the boat in the water the following morning about a half hour earlier than they told us so when we arrived it was already in the water and the damage was hidden. We asked to stay on the dock long enough to return our rental car. They rushed us off of the dock stating that they had another boat coming in(already past the time they said) and knowing that it was getting windy and rough putting us in danger with our dinghy. The other boat never arrived that morning. These guys are more concerned with the almighty dollar than customer satisfaction. Zimmerman did a great job on our sail drives but dropped the ball on communication with us and the boatyard. Really can’t recommend either.

I had a boat hauled out, so that it could be readied for transport by truck. Elly was quite helpful and kept me informed of work and anticipated charges. The work and invoices were timely and as agreed. It would be wonderful if more businesses understood the value of people interactions with the customer. It was a great experience here.

We're working in almost all the boatyards of the area and they are definitely the best. One of the only places around to be able to take big catamarans out of the water, option to unstep the mast without having to haul the boat, great quality of bottom work and very mice people. I definitely recommend them.

I needed a haul out for inspection bottom paint and update on my Beneteau. Communicating with the staff was effortless. They were helpful in navigating the boat in as well as talking. They help me with decisions about repairs and upgrade. So far an excellent experience.

I have only had my catamaran there a few days but the staff is amazing. They are professional and knowledgeable, but fun and personable. Great value for their high quality of service. The new ownership and staff seem to be off to a great start with strong chemistry. My friend is bringing his Beneteau to be hauled tomorrow for some major work. I will travel several states away and up the coast to be here for my next haul!

Made appt to pull mast and after sitting at the dock for two hours while paying contractors to be there cooper river told me it was too windy and to come back two days later in light wind when they would absolutely pull the mast. Received an email the next day stating I had to waive any and all liability for any damage done in the mast pull. Spoke with multiple professionals (surveyor, boat yard owner, rigger) who all stated a boat yard should have liability insurance and are in the business of pulling masts. Tried to discuss with the owner, Will, who was rude, cut me off, and refused to even discuss sharing in any risk of damage (while telling me he was confident they could pull the mast without issue). Left me high and dry with no where to get the work done before I need to sail north, and holding the bag for hundreds of dollars of wasted contractor time and marina fees.

Very nice and responsive. When the truck arrived they were ready to take the boat right off the truck. They were quick to block it so I could get to work. Convienently located and easy to get to. I was put in the DIY yard. Water and electric was close buy. When the boat was ready to be hauled they we on time and ahead of schedule. I would go back.

I have always had an excellent experience at Cooper River Boatyard. Andy Oberdier and his knowledgeable staff go above and beyond, displaying professionalism and genuine care for their work and for their customers. I've been extremely satisfied upon each visit and will continue to use them for any and all of my boating needs; be it maintenance or repair. I would highly recommend Cooper River Boatyard to all of those in the boating industry.

Best Boatyard ever! All their work is done so well. Engine service, GPS/ stereo installation, bottom paint and countless other things they have done on my Grady White. I was just thinking the other day how pleased I am with their work. Thanks again!

Fast, reliable, reasonably priced. Bow to stern, Cooper River Boatyard has taken care of all my boat maintenance needs including engine, trailer and hull. Five stars for customer service from this small boat owner.

We have had the opportunity to have many boats serviced at Pierside, haul outs for surveys, paint jobs, bottom jobs, engine replacements,etc. The service has always been great and the entire team is always helpful and ready to assist. I would highly recommend to anyone. Andy & John are great to work with!

Pierside was a treat to work with! My husband and I had engine troubles on the way to florida. We stopped in and they bent over backwards to find out what was wrong with our engine and get the parts rushed to us. We were in and out quickly. We enjoyed the snack bar they had to offer while we waited as well.

July 2015 was the second time I used Pierside and will certainly be the last. One evening I was locked in the yard at 5:15 pm and could not get out until after 10:00 pm. My car was sitting right in front of the boat I was working on. There was no way anyone could leave without seeing my car sitting there. Did not even get an apology. The OWNER changed the code on the lock and did not tell anyone. So, not until after his wife woke him up and her telling me how mad he was going to be was I able to leave the lot. As others have mentioned they can become very difficult to work with once they determine you are not going to need them for any expensive repairs. They DID refuse to help me which they knew would delay putting my boat back in the water for another day. They did quote me one price and charged me another. They DID delay removing my props knowing it would cost me another day on the lot. I am a very fair and reasonable person but WILL NEVER USE PIERSIDE BOATWORKS again and I encourage you NOT TO USE THEM EITHER.

Had these guys pull the mast from my 30' sailboat and lay it up for a few weeks while repairs were made and rigging replaced. Overall good experience. They worked with me on some DIY repairs I wanted to do. The crane operator was very professional and competent, although his helpers were a little green. The docking situation was a bit iffy - not a lot of room to tie up while waiting for the crane and no way to know if there would be space when we arrived (we ended up circling back to Cooper River Marina for the night). But we were happy with the end result and the experience, and plan to use these guys again.