PORT 32 Fort Lauderdale Expands Yacht Repair and Refit Capabilities

PORT 32 Marinas has expanded the repair, refit and service capabilities of its Fort Lauderdale facility on the New River as South Florida prepares for the seasonal return of yachts. The marina and boatyard combines wet berthing for vessels up to 180 feet with a 150-metric-ton Travelift, dry storage and a growing network of specialist marine contractors.

Fort Lauderdale adds another integrated refit option

The October 1 expansion positions PORT 32 Fort Lauderdale as a more comprehensive service base rather than a marina focused primarily on dockage and storage. The property combines an operating boatyard with an upgraded wet basin, dry storage for 240 vessels and specialist contractors working across maintenance, repair and refit disciplines.

For captains and yacht managers, the attraction is the ability to coordinate several work packages at one location. Bottom work, paint, composites, machinery, electronics, electrical systems, air conditioning, plumbing and detailing can be organised without moving the yacht between multiple yards.

Wet berths reach 180 feet

PORT 32’s current Fort Lauderdale information lists wet slips with a maximum length of 180 feet and beam of 35 feet. That puts the facility within the operating range of a significant part of the superyacht fleet, particularly yachts seeking in-water maintenance or preparatory work before a larger haul-out period.

The site also provides in-water service capability and contractor access on the New River, one of Fort Lauderdale’s most established yacht-service corridors. Location matters because the surrounding marine cluster gives crews access to additional engineering, supply and specialist support without leaving the wider Fort Lauderdale ecosystem.

A 150-ton Travelift handles yachts to around 120 feet

The boatyard is equipped with a 150-metric-ton Marine Travelift for haul-outs of vessels up to approximately 120 feet. PORT 32 also offers blocking, survey hauls, pressure washing, crane and forklift support and space for mechanical and structural work ashore.

That capacity does not put the yard into the very largest superyacht-refit category, but it broadens the range of projects that can be handled directly at the site. Larger yachts can still use the wet basin while tenders and smaller vessels are hauled, stored or worked on separately.

Brian Kelley takes over the Fort Lauderdale operation

PORT 32 has appointed Brian Kelley as general manager of the marina and boatyard. The company says Kelley brings more than 30 years of experience across marina, shipyard and yacht-service operations, with a remit covering safety, operational reliability, communications and service delivery.

Former Fort Lauderdale general manager Matt Domke is moving to PORT 32 Palm Beach Gardens, which is scheduled to open in December 2026. Together, the appointments point to a broader South Florida service strategy as PORT 32 develops a network spanning marina, storage and yacht-support operations.

Official sources: boatingindustry.com; www.port32marinas.com.