SXM has all the trades needed for any marine job, from a simple service to a full refit. This guide covers how to find the right person, set expectations clearly, and avoid the problems that arise from poor communication.
Finding a contractor
Start with this directory. Use the trade filters to find who does what. Read the reviews from other cruisers — they tell you not just the outcome but the communication, reliability, and cost accuracy. Contact details are on each profile.
Beyond the directory:
- Ask a surveyor. Marine surveyors know all too well who does good work and who doesn't — it's an occupational side effect.
- Ask at the marina or boatyard office. They maintain informal preferred vendor lists. Bear in mind some take referral fees — cross-check any recommendation against the reviews here.
- Ask other cruisers in the anchorage. The SXM Cruisers Net on VHF 10 at 08:00 daily is a good source of current recommendations.
- Facebook: The TOBY Sarl page and the SXM Cruisers and Boaters group both have active communities sharing current recommendations.
Getting a written quote
This is the single most important thing you can do before any work starts. A verbal agreement is worth nothing once work is underway and costs escalate.
A proper quote should include:
- Description of the work to be done — specific enough that you both know what "done" looks like
- Parts list with individual costs, or a clear statement of what is included
- Labour rate or fixed price
- Estimated completion date or timeframe
- Payment schedule — when deposits are expected and when final payment is due
A downloadable quote template is available in six languages — use it, or pass it to your contractor to complete.
⬇ Download quote template (PDF, 6 languages)
Normal payment structure
Payment on completion is normal. Cash or credit card depending on the contractor.
A deposit of 30–50% before work starts, balance on completion. This covers materials procurement.
A structured payment schedule — deposit, progress payment(s), final payment on completion. Get this in writing as part of the quote.
- Pay 100% upfront
- Pay cash in advance for parts before you have seen a receipt or part number
- Pay substantially more than the written quote without a clear explanation and your express written agreement
Language reality
Almost all trades work comfortably in English. This is the primary working language of the marine industry here.
English proficiency varies. Some contractors work in English confidently; others prefer French. Contractor profiles show languages spoken — filter by this if language is a concern.
Engaging a project manager
If you are managing a big job list and don't know where to start, there are project managers on both sides who can help. A project manager gives you a single point of contact, coordinates access to the boat, checks when payment milestones have been reached, and finds the right person for each job. Worth considering for any refit involving more than two or three trades simultaneously.
Ordering parts
Guide to ordering parts from overseas →
Haul-out yards
SXM has a good range of haul-out facilities across both sides — from the largest travelifts in the northeastern Caribbean to smaller crane-based yards suited to lighter boats and catamarans. Contact each yard directly for current rates — fees change seasonally.
Dutch side
French side
Choosing a yard
| Situation | Consider |
|---|---|
| Boat over 20 ft beam | The MegaYard (Dutch) or JMC (French, up to 22 ft beam) |
| Catamaran | Geminga (trailer system suits cats well), TOBY, or The MegaYard |
| Fibreglass / osmosis / painting | Polypat (French side specialists) |
| No bridge transit possible | Bobby's Philipsburg (Great Bay, direct sea access) |
| French side preference | JMC, Polypat, TOBY, or Geminga |
| Mid-sized monohull, Dutch lagoon | Rockstar Marine Yard (Airport Road) |
Booking in season
The November–May high season fills yards quickly. For a haul-out during December through March, book before you arrive — ideally weeks in advance. Last-minute availability is not guaranteed at any yard during peak season. The shoulder months (November and late April–May) offer more flexibility.
Hurricane storage
The official position of both the Port of Saint-Martin and the Sint Maarten authorities is clear: the lagoon, Marigot Bay, and Great Bay are not designated hurricane shelters. Many experienced sailors choose to take their boats south to Grenada or Trinidad for the season. That said, many boats do remain in SXM each year — either on the hard or in the water.
Weather and Timing — is SXM the right place to leave your boat? →
On the hard — boatyard storage
Hauling out and leaving on the hard is the most common option for boats staying in SXM for the season.
Preparation the yard will typically require:
- Removal of all sails, canvas, biminis, dodgers, and removable deck equipment
- Mast removal — mandatory at JMC, Geminga, and Polypat for monohulls; optional at others
- Mast storage in a designated rack
- Blocking, chocking, and cross-bracing of the hull — the yard manages this
- Tie-downs to concrete slab anchor points — standard at most established yards
- All hatches sealed; through-hulls closed
In the water — staying in the lagoon
Some boats remain afloat in the lagoon during hurricane season, on a mooring or at a marina berth. This is a much higher risk than hauling out and requires serious preparation if a storm approaches. Check that your insurance policy covers this option.
- Additional mooring lines, chafe protection on all lines, and a second anchor as backup
- Removal of all canvas, sails, and anything that creates windage
- Monitor the National Hurricane Center from the moment a system enters the Atlantic
- A plan for where to move if a storm is forecast — including the possibility of sailing south if there is enough warning
Alternatives to SXM for hurricane storage
Full coverage of Caribbean haul-out options from St Martin to Trinidad is in the annual Caribbean Compass haul-out guide →