higgins yacht yard inc

(410) 745-9303

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Higgins Yacht Yard, Inc.

Full service boatyard & marina

in St. Michaels, Maryland

- Since 1790 -

Located in the historic St. Michaels Harbor on the Chesapeake Bay, our boat yard and marina has been the original port and ship yard of the town since the 1600's. Rooted in a rich history of boat building and boat work, we continue to provide a full-service boat yard and marina today, now updated with modern amenities. With over 50 slips, we offer transient, seasonal, and annual dockage, with electric & water hook up, shower & restroom facilities, WiFi, and ice available 24/7. 

We are conveniently located just footsteps away from town, being the closest marina in the harbor to the main town road, Talbot Street. Experience the quaint charm of historic St. Michaels by browsing our many shops, restaurants, galleries, museums, and more. There is something for everyone to experience and explore here in St. Michaels.

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About higgins yacht yard.

 Although the name has changed over the years, the property of Higgins Yacht Yard has continuously been a working boat yard since 1790. The marina aspect dates back even earlier, as this location was the original port of St. Michaels. A few footsteps away from the boatyard, going up Carpenter Street, is the corner of Carpenter and Locust Street, famously named "Hell's Crossing", after the rowdy sailors who roamed the streets and local bars after coming off the ships.  

 The current name of "Higgins" comes from Captain Jack Higgins, who owned the business for over 23 years, starting in 1956. Then, it was known as Higgins Marine Service. Although two different owners have taken over since then, the name of Higgins has been kept as an ode of respect to Capt. Jack and his family, who still reside in St. Michaels today.  

 In 2017, our current owner Jonathan (Jon) Clarke took over ownership of Higgins Yacht Yard from Tad duPont. Tad had ran the business for 38 years, after purchasing it from Capt. Jack in the summer of 1979. Today, Jon continues to provide the same marine services offered over 50 years ago, including mechanical work, carpentry, winterizing, haul outs, storage, and more. 

Jon Clarke was born and raised here on the Eastern Shore and comes from a family with a long history of boating. His family has owned Magic , one of the famous Chesapeake Bay log canoes, since 1923, with Jon skippering and racing her since he was fifteen years old. Jon is a graduate of The Landing School in Maine, where he received a diploma in Yacht Design in 2014. He then attended Southampton Solent University in England, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Yacht and Powercraft Design, graduating with first division honors in 2016. 

in the news

"log canoes: the 123-year-old in the family".

-Spinsheet Magazine

"A Yacht Designer Buys A Marina"

-The Landing School

"Higgins Yacht Yard Under New Ownership"

-The Talbot Spy

"A Race With History"

"jonathan clarke takes over higgins yacht yard", proud member of.

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PO Box 517, 203-205 Carpenter St. St. Michaels, MD 21663

Copyright © 2024 Higgins Yacht Yard, Inc. All rights reserved.

[email protected]

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Higgins Yacht Yard

Location & Hours

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203-205 Carpenter St

Saint Michaels, MD 21663

Serving Saint Michaels Area

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Overall rating

This is a great marina to stay at in StMikes . It's a no frills kinda place. End of Carpenter street so close to all the action, like shopping and drinking. Lol. Great view of the harbor. We have been staying here for years. Showers very clean. Plenty of water pressure to boat. WiFi pretty good. New owners are doing a great job! See ya soon.

Business owner information

Jonathan C.

Business Owner

Jun 8, 2021

Hi Laura, thank you for the review! We are so glad you enjoyed your time with us, and look forward to your next visit!

If you just need a dock and possibly a mechanic this is your marina. If you want working useable wifi, fuel, nice shower facilities this is not the place.

Hi Kim, I took over ownership of the marina in the fall of 2017. We have since renovated our facilities and docks, and have also increased our WiFi speed and range. We would be happy to welcome you back to our marina on your next visit to St. Michaels.

1 other review that is not currently recommended

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St Michaels Marina

Higgins Yacht Yard

• Total Slips: 30
• Min Length: 20'
• Max Length: 120'
• Approach Depth: 10'
• Dock Depth: 7'

Higgins Yacht Yard is a full-service boatyard and marina in the quaint portside town of historic St. Michaels, Maryland, and was the town’s original port and shipyard since the establishment of the town in the 1600’s. Located in the center of town in the St. Michaels Historic District, Higgins Yacht Yard has the closest distance to town, only footsteps away from all shops, galleries, restaurants, museums, wineries, distilleries, breweries, and more!

Aside from the most convenient location, Higgins Yacht Yard offers transient, seasonal, and annual slips under cover, with the best transient rates in the St. Michaels Harbor. Marina amenities include electric and water hook up, free WiFi, ship’s store, and bagged and blocked ice. Yacht Yard services and amenities include a 30-ton travel lift, 10-ton crane, hydraulic trailer, two large shop buildings, mechanical repairs and maintenance, custom carpentry work, mast stepping, sail rigging, brightwork, winterization, shrink wrapping, dry or wet indoor and outdoor winter storage, bottom painting, spring commissioning, systems installation, fiberglass repair, yacht design, and more.

• Bait & Tackle Provisions
• Bars/Clubs Nearby
• Boat Services
• Dinghy Dock/Racks
• Dock Boxes and Carts
• Drop-In/Haul Out Services
• Dry Storage
• Golf Nearby
• Groceries Nearby
• Hotel/Lodging On-Site
• Medical Facilities Nearby
• Pet Friendly
• Picnic Area
• Post Office Nearby
• Restaurant Nearby
• Service/Maintenance
• Towing Available
• Town Nearby
• Travel Lift
• Winter Storage
• Wired Internet

Rates / Policies

Weekdays (Mondy-Thursday): $2.00/ft per night, $60 minimum

Weekends (Friday-Sunday): $2.75/ft per night, $80 minimum

Holidays & Special Events Weekends (Friday-Sunday, plus actual holiday): $2.75/ft per night, $80 minimum

Catamarans (any day): $3.00/ft per night

Hourly dockage (any day): $10/hour, $20 minimum

Late check-out (any day): $10/hour, $20 minimum

Winter season (Nov. 1st – Mar. 31st) Weekdays (Monday-Thursday): $1.00/ft per night

Winter season (Nov. 1st – Mar. 31st) Weekends (Friday-Sunday): $1.50/ft per night

Single 30 AMP electric:  $15/night

Single 50 AMP electric:  $20/night

Twin 30 AMP electric:  $20/night

Twin 50 AMP electric: $50/night

*Holiday and special event weekends may require 2 or 3 night minimums.

*We do not take reservations in advance for hourly dockage, and dockage is based on a first-come, first-serve basis.

*Late check-outs must be approved of ahead of time with the dockmaster.

We require at least two days (48 hours) notice of cancellation prior to the reserved check-in date. Holidays & special event weekends require three days (72 hours) notice of cancellation prior to the reserved check-in date. Failure to provide the minimum cancellation notice will result in a one-night charge.

Check-in is between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. We must be notified in advance if you would like to request a different check-in time. Check-out is at 11:00 a.m. Any late check-outs must be approved by the dockmaster ahead of time.

Check-in upon arrival is required at our front office.

• We only guarantee a slip to accommodate the length overall, beam, and draft of your vessel that is put on file, and indicated on your invoice/confirmation email. It is the vessel’s owner or representative’s responsibility to ensure the correct dimensions of the vessel, including any and all attached equipment such as the pulpit, bowsprit, swim platform, dinghy with/without davits, etc.

Although we attempt to accommodate all special requests, we do not guarantee particular slip assignments.

The town of St. Michaels has a noise ordinance in effect from 10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. that must be followed at the marina.

Boats shall not be left unattended overnight unless the office is first advised of and approves of such intention.

You must clean up after all pets. Pets should be curbed in Muskrat Park, located 0.1 mile away from the marina. Take Carpenter Street up to the first stop sign, then turn left onto Locust Street. Continue until the end of the street, and Muskrat Park will be straight ahead.

Pets must be on a leash at all times.

The property of the Log Canoe Inn, located beside the marina of Higgins Yacht Yard, Inc., is solely for the use of the guests staying overnight at the inn, and not for the use of the marina guests.

Swimming and diving are not permitted from the docks at any time.

Laundry is not permitted to be hung from any vessel nor docks.

Heads should not be pumped out while the boat is at the dock.

All vessels must be adequately insured.

No open fires are permitted on or near the docks.

The marina reserves the right to limit the number of slip holder’s guests on the premises.

Higgins Yacht Yard, Inc. is not liable for the care nor protection of your vessel, nor its gear, equipment, contents, etc., nor any loss nor damage. whatever kind or nature, to your vessel, nor its gear, equipment, contents, etc.

You, as the vessel owner or representative, indemnify and hold Higgins Yacht Yard, Inc. harmless against any loss, costs, suits, and/or claims, arising out of use of pier space, and of any handling of the boat in connection therewith.

Should any marina guest conduct themselves in a disorderly, dangerous, or improper manner, that could cause injury, damage, or harm to any person, property, or reputation of the business, or fails to comply or agree to the above terms, Higgins Yacht Yard, Inc. reserves the right to have the vessel owner remove his vessel immediately from the marina without refund.

Additional Information

• Latitude:  38.78624
• Longitude:  -76.2229

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Higgins Yacht Yard Under New Ownership

March 8, 2018 by Spy Desk

Higgins Yacht Yard in St. Michaels is under new ownership. Jon Clarke, an Eastern Shore native with a background in marine services and yacht design, took over ownership of the full-service boat yard in September from longtime owner Tad duPont.

Clarke graduated from The Landing School in Arundel, Maine and Southhampton Solent University in Southhampton, England, in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering in yacht and powercraft design. He returned to the Eastern Shore following graduation and formed the yacht design company Thermocline Yachts. He also served as a contractor for Composite Yacht in Trappe.

Jon Clarke (right) and Tad duPont.

“Jon, being in his mid-20s, has a whole new energy and a whole new way of thinking about things,” said duPont, who owned and operated Higgins Yacht Yard for the past 38 years. “He’s much more diversified in fiber glass and composite and he’s got this great ability to adapt to technological changes.”

Under Clarke’s ownership, Higgins Yacht Yard will continue to offer the same slip rental and marine services it’s offered for more than 50 years, including transient docking, winter storage, haul outs, power washing, bottom painting, fiber glass repair, varnishing and rigging, among others. Clarke plans to expand the boat yard’s service to include outboard and mechanical work and eventually offer yacht design services.

“The goal is to expand our design capacity to bring some of my degree to the yacht yard,” Clarke said. “I have a passion for boats, being around boats, and designing boats.”

Clarke currently resides in St. Michaels, where he enjoys racing the family’s log canoe Magic during the summer season.  Higgins Yacht Yard has been the hub of log canoe racing in the Miles River for more than 65 years. Unique to this area, log canoe racing preserves the heritage of these historical vessels that are handed down from generation to generation.

Higgins Yacht Yard is located at 203 Carpenter St. in St. Michaels. For more information, visit higginsyachtyard.com or call 410-745-9303.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

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Higgins Yacht Yard

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (weather and seasonal dependent)

Monitored: 16 | Working: 69

St. Michaels, MD | N 38° 47.200' / W 076° 13.283'

203-205 Carpenter Street

St. Michaels, MD 21663

Body of Water

Miles River, Eastern Bay

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Repair Capabilities

Engine (Inboard)

Engine (Outboard)

Electrical (AC)

Electrical (DC)

Solar/Wind Power System

Navigation System

AV Entertainment

Climate Control

Refrigeration

Plumbing Sanitation

Carpentry Woodworking

Paint Varnish

Sail System

Canvas Upholstery

Do it yourself

Haulout Capabilities

Noteworthy:

Higgins Yacht Yard is the only full-service boatyard and marina in St. Michaels, and offers transient, seasonal, and annual slips at competitive rates. Amenities include restroom and shower facilities, free WiFi, city water, and electric. Located in the center of the historic district, we are located only footsteps away from boutique shops, galleries, museums, and restaurants.

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