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Discover why discerning boat owners in North Carolina and beyond choose Marine Craft for world-class boat repair, upgrades, and full-service vessel care.
If you don't already know about the Chapman School of Seamanship in Stuart Florida they are the center of excellence for the recreational and professional marine industry. They provide a world class curriculum and are a Center of Excellence in the professional marine industry. Our owner Dave C. has attended several courses at Chapman and one of our technicians is currently attending their Yamaha Marine outboard course. At Marine Craft, we take technical training seriously—our team includes ABYC Master Technicians certified in Marine Electrical, Diesel, Systems, and Standards, plus specialized credentials in Yamaha outboards, NMEA electronics, Victron, and more. We always provide world class repairs and upgrades and have positioned ourselves to be the center of gravity for the recreational marine industry. We provide worldwide logistics for some of our partner manufacturers. We routinely upgrade vessels with complex electrical systems that are still intuitive for the end user that cover 12/24/48 volt DC and 120/230/240 volt AC systems. We have trained and skilled technicians for all of your outboard and inboard needs. We have our own brokerage and marine supply store onsite and online. We even have USCG captains on staff on hand to conduct vessel handling training and deliveries locally or worldwide. If you are looking for consulting with selecting and purchasing of your vessel at the beginning of this journey, parts, repairs and upgrades during your ownership, or are set to move on to new adventures and looking for the best way to let your boat go ready to immediately continue across the water with new owners look no further than Marine Craft. Check out this month’s newsletter from Chapman School of Seamanship and read about Marine Craft bringing skilled work, international business, and amazing customers to beautiful Pamlico County. Ready for unmatched quality on the water? Contact us today for your next service, upgrade, or consultation. We’ll see you out on the water. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat makes Marine Craft repairs “world class”?Our ABYC Master Technicians follow strict safety and quality standards, combined with years of hands-on experience on a wide range of vessels—from sailboats to powerboats. Do you handle complex electrical upgrades?Yes. We specialize in lithium battery systems, solar installations, inverter setups, and full rewiring projects—all done to ABYC E-11 standards. Why should I choose Marine Craft over other repair shops?We combine factory-trained expertise (Yamaha, Victron, NMEA), a quiet Merritt location with ICW access, and a genuine commitment to doing the job right the first time.
Posted by Dave C., ABYC Master Technician 08 March 2026
ABYC or the American Boat and Yacht Council is the recreational marine repair standardization organization. The American Boat & Yacht Council is committed to enhancing your boating experience by prioritizing safety and enjoyment on the water. Boats using ABYC Standards are 43% to 47% less likely to have certain accidents and reduce fatality risks by 26% to 58% when compared to non-certified boats. ABYC standards not only decrease accident occurrences but also lessen their severity.
If you’ve ever had your car repaired with an ASE certified technician, then you already know the benefits of having a certified technician do your repairs. ABYC is to recreational vessels as ASE is to vehicles. Not only are vessels repaired to ABYC standards but vessels can also be built to ABYC standards. If your vessel manufacturer has committed to being an ABYC member it shows they are taking the time and effort to build to industry standards and best practices. Those manufacturers want to build the most safe and well built vessel they can. ABYC standards are not legally mandated so some manufacturers can choose to not comply with ABYC. If your builder or marine technician is ABYC certified it shows they are going above and beyond to ensure their workmanship. In order to become an ABYC certified technician you have to have 2 years of experience in the marine repair industry. In addition you are required to pass knowledge and skills tests in your areas of expertise. These areas can be; Electrical, Diesel, Composits, or many others. Most of these examinations are over 100 questions pertaining to the specific area of study. The standards are derived from manufacturer requirements, USCG, NFPA, and decades of knowledge, rigorous testing, and verification that the given standard works. Each year the standards are reviewed to ensure they are always relevant with the current technologies available to the marine industry. As an ABYC member you gain access to a wealth of knowledge, standards, and trainings. This helps your certified technician to more easily troubleshoot and repair any issues you may have. If you have an ABYC certified technician that wants to expand his area of expertise he could become an ABYC Certified Master Technician. After the technician has gained certification in at least 3 different areas of study they are designated a Master Technician. This designation honors marine professionals who have demonstrated expertise and commitment to continuous education. Here at Marine Craft we are proud of our workmanship and are always striving to be better technicians and advisors. We have ABYC Master Technicians and certified technicians on staff ready to help you with your next repair or upgrade. Contact us today to learn more. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy choose an ABYC Certified technician?Boats serviced to ABYC standards are 43–47% less likely to experience certain accidents and reduce fatality risks by 26–58% compared to non-certified work. Certified techs follow proven safety protocols. Do I need ABYC certification for boat repairs?Not legally required, but highly recommended. ABYC-certified technicians meet strict safety standards that lower fire and shock risks—many insurers and surveyors now prefer or require it for complex jobs like lithium upgrades. Do non-certified technicians have access to the latest ABYC standards?Possibly—if the shop is an ABYC member, they may have access. Only ABYC members can view the most current standards for vessel repair and maintenance.
Posted by Dave C., ABYC Master Technician 21 February 2026
 Yamaha outboards ready to be serviced.
Marine Craft is always looking advance our skills and knowledge. We have one of our technicians Easton D. attending the 9 week long course for Yamaha Marine certification at Chapman School of Seamanship. Marine Craft has Yamaha Marine Maintenance Certifications in the Introduction to Outboard Systems, Portable Engines F/T 9.9, Midrange Engines F30/40, Inline Engines F/LF 150B and V-Engine 4.2L Offshore Platforms.
Our core mission is providing world class repairs for the marine industry. We take great pride in our skills and knowledge. If you are looking to have your boat professionally maintained or repaired we can provide you with the quality work you can be proud of. We stand behind all of our workmanship. If you want to know more about this great program you can read more on the Chapman School of Seamanship website. If you are looking to have your outboard professionally maintained let us know at Marine Craft and we can help get you ready for fun on the water this Spring. Frequently Asked QuestionsDoes Marine Craft work on outboard engines?Yes—our trained and certified technicians handle all outboard needs, from annual service to complete repowers. How often should I have my outboard engine professionally serviced?At least annually, but always follow your operator's manual for the manufacturer's recommended schedule. Can Marine Craft help me select a new outboard engine for my boat?Yes, we consult with boat owners daily to match the best engine options to their vessel. Contact us at 252-571-9980 to discuss your needs.
Posted by Dave C., ABYC Master Technician 10 February 2026
 Romex Wire
Residential Wire VS Marine Wire
Since I am fortunate enough to inspect hundreds of vessels I have seen several recurring issues. In this series we’ll discuss some of the issues I see more often. One of those issues is utilizing land based residential materials on vessels. This can be hazardous for numerous reasons on a vessel. Your land based home isn’t normally subjected to near constant motion, crashing into large waves, routinely splashed with salt water, among other environmental differences. Due to this marine grade materials are manufactured to different standards. One of the basic differences is wiring. In a residential electrical system solid strand wire or “Romex” is the standard for most residential applications. Your home wiring system normally uses a triple strand insulated conductor. Inside of the insulation there are three conductors; an insulated neutral, an insulated line, and a ground that is normally wrapped in a brown paper wrap. These solid single strand conductors can crack or completely break over time due to the vibration of the vessel that is transferred to the wiring. Romex is also not a tinned wire. Marine grade wire that is tinned is more resistant to corrosion than simple unprotected copper wire. Romex connections are normally made with threaded connectors or “wire nuts”. These wire nuts are not water proof and the screw on cap may become lose over years of vibration on a boat resulting in intermittent open circuits or worse a short if the wires become completely disconnected and the line comes into contact with another neutral or ground. Wire that is designed for marine use contains multiple strands inside of a conductor. Marine grade wire is also tinned. This tinned wire is more resistant to corrosion than bare copper wire will be. Marine grade wire insulation can have different heat ratings as well. Normally marine grade wire installed on a vessel is rated to 105C. Marine grade wire insulation is also resistant to petroleum and other contaminates normally in a vessel machinery space. Romex wire does not need to meet these standards for normal residential use. Since wire nuts are not permitted per the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards we will use butt connectors. There is more on how to install different connectors such as nylon or heat shrink. Different tools are required for each type. Butt connectors can be used to join two wires into one. If we are joining multiple conductors into one then we can use ring terminals and a buss bar. This creates a secure connection to all conductors on the buss bar. There are standards on how to stack multiple connectors, how many connectors can be installed on each stud and other requirements to make a safe and compliant electrical system. This part one is only scratching the surface on the procedures put in place by ABYC to ensure you have a safe and fun time on the water. Some of the ABYC standards we discussed here are E11.15.3.8 Twist-on connectors (i.e., wire nuts) shall not be used. E11.15.4.1.1 Junction boxes, cabinets, and other enclosures in which electrical connections are made shall be weatherproof or installed in a protected location, to minimize the entry or accumulation of moisture or water within the boxes, cabinets, or enclosures. If you are looking to upgrade your electrical system let us know at Marine Craft and we can help ensure you have a great time on the water. Frequently Asked QuestionsShould I use residential wiring on a vessel?No, never install residential wire (like Romex) or standard household connections on a boat. Marine environments demand tinned, marine-grade wire to resist corrosion and vibration. What wire should I use on my boat?Always choose marine-grade, tinned copper wire from a reputable source. Visit our supply store at www.marinecraftsupply.com for the right options. Are wire nuts permitted on vessels?No—wire nuts are not allowed. ABYC E-11.15.3.8 specifically forbids them due to vibration and corrosion risks. Use proper marine crimp connectors or terminals instead.
Posted by Dave C., ABYC Master Technician 07 February 2026
Why Choose Marine Craft
Marine Craft was founded by David Caudill after over 20 years in the Army and 2 years cruising the Caribbean with one goal in mind, to make the recreational marine industry more enjoyable for the boat owner from purchase to sale. All too often the recreational vessel owner experience is fraught with pitfalls. When you are looking for a boat to purchase you have to sift through the thousands of “blue water ready” listings just to find something that not only floats but has working systems so you can enjoy your new boat from day one. We have solved that issue with our Factory Certified Program. We work with Timeless Yacht Sales and Services, Antares Catamarans, and Zonda Group to set standards for selling a pre-owned boat. We are looking to expand our brand support all the time. If an owner wants to list their vessel with us they need to bring their boats up to our strict standards. This means that when a buyer is ready to buy their next pre-owned vessel it is completely operational and ready to go. The new owner is enrolled in our Marine Craft Service Program for 6 months. This gives them access to our extended warranty on all of our work as well as 24 hour remote assistance. Marine Craft also significantly reduces the sales commission on our pre-owned vessels. This reduces the costs for the seller and buyer making the purchase and sale of your vessel less burdensome. With the purchase and sale streamlined Marine Craft goes on to offer world class technical skill and repair work. We travel the world in order to get the best training possible so we can pass on our skills and knowledge to our owners. We have trained from the UK with Hybrid Marine all the way across the globe with Antares Catamarans in Argentina to make sure we repair and upgrade our systems to the highest standards. Our technicians are American Boat and Yacht Council certified in several disciplines, with some of our technicians earning the Certified Master Technician designation. We stay trained on many specific manufacture trainings such as, Victron, Archer Systems, Yamaha, and numerous others. If you need an engine repower, outboard work, stainless steel fabrication, custom woodwork, a new suite of electronics or electrical systems repair we are the one stop shop for all of your needs. Marine Craft Supply provides quality parts at low prices for all of our customers. On top of our comprehensive services our specialty is complex electrical system upgrades. There are very few shops that can install the complex electrical systems we do at Marine Craft. While we can do simple single inverter installations we pride ourselves on our more robust installations. We install and configure 12/24/48 Volt DC systems using top of the line Lithium battery technology. We seamlessly incorporate 120/230/204 Volt AC systems. We have inverter banks consisting of two, three, or even more inverters in parallel, split phase, or even three phase systems. We incorporate the best alternator and regulator technology so you can get the most production out of your engine. We have complex solar installations and custom helm panels. We work with our customers to ensure their capability goals are met whether that means making a sailboat completely off grid with solar upgrades or providing quiet and efficient electric generation systems for power vessels. You can read more about our electrical upgrade standards on our Electrical Repairs and Upgrades page. If you are looking for high end complex systems that are seamless to the end user Marine Craft can facilitate any of your needs. When you are searching for highly skilled technicians for your next upgrade be sure to ask about their experience and training. Is your installer ABYC certified in the work he’s performing? If not, is his immediate supervisor certified and checking his work? Your vessel is something to be proud of. You want people that are motivated to go above and beyond to be certified to work on it. You deserve the same sense of pride from someone working your boat as you have in owning your boat. We provide that at Marine Craft in everything we do. You can rest assured that if you work with Marine Craft you will have world class repairs, easy purchase and sale experience with Timeless Yacht Sales and Service, and low prices on our products through Marine Craft Supply. Let us know if we can help you today. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat sets Marine Craft apart from other boat repair shops?Our team consists of ABYC Master Technicians with factory training (Yamaha, Victron, NMEA), a focus on safety and quality, and a peaceful location right on Broad Creek near the ICW. Do you offer year-round service?Yes. Merritt’s mild climate and our indoor shop allow us to provide consistent repairs and upgrades all year, not just during peak season. Can you handle both repairs and storage/slips?Absolutely. We offer secure wet slips, dry storage, and full-service repairs in one location—making it convenient for boat owners in the New Bern and Oriental area.
Posted by Dave C., ABYC Master Technician 24 January 2026
Welcome back.
I would like to take a few minutes to tell everyone about our operations here at Marine Craft. We're situated off Broad Creek just off the ICW in Merritt, North Carolina. We have 42 wet slips, dry storage, repair shops, and we're expanding our offerings every day. We have ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) certified technicians and master technicians ready to provide quality boat repairs on everything from diesel, plumbing, electronics, to complex electrical upgrades. We specialize in 12/24/48 Volt DC and 120/230/240 AC electrical systems. We are always training to keep up to date with the latest technology and to provide the same high quality boat repairs you expect for your vessel. We travel to places such as Hybrid Marine in the UK and other locations around the world to study and learn from the best. This way we can bring high quality boat repairs to our customers. I am a 100GT USCG Master and provide delivery and training programs for boat owners. I also manage the Factory Certified Program for our pre owned boat sales. If you are looking for world class quality boat repairs contact us today to work with the best. We'll see you out on the water. Frequently Asked QuestionsWho is Dave C. and why should I trust him with my boat?Dave is an ABYC Master Technician with decades of experience in marine electrical, diesel, and systems repair. He’s factory-trained on Yamaha, Victron, NMEA, and more. What kind of boats does Marine Craft service?We work on recreational vessels of all types—sailboats, powerboats, catamarans, fishing boats—up to 80 feet, including complex upgrades and routine maintenance. Where is Marine Craft located?We’re at 300 Old Lupton Road, Merritt, NC 28556—right on Broad Creek with easy ICW access, just a short drive from New Bern and Oriental.
Posted by Dave C., ABYC Master Technician 10 January 2026
We have decided to start a regular blog hear at Marine Craft. One of the great things about having a marina where we have ABYC technicians on staff is the wealth of knowledge and experience we can draw from. We are hoping to use this blog along with some new YouTube videos to share a little of that knowledge with our guests.
Be sure to check back here or our YouTube channel if you want to stay up on events that are happening around Marine Craft or to gain a little more insight to Marine Repair standards and best practices. Dave C. |
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