Top Marine Project Management Pros

A marine project manager oversees all aspects of a boat repair, refit, or new installation project on your behalf, coordinating contractors, scheduling work, and managing budgets. They act as your single point of contact so you don't have to juggle multiple vendors. This is especially valuable for complex projects involving electrical, mechanical, and cosmetic work happening simultaneously.

Marine project managers typically charge either a flat fee, an hourly rate ranging from $75 to $175 per hour, or a percentage of the total project cost (usually 10–20%). The fee structure depends on project complexity, vessel size, and location within the US. Getting a detailed scope of work upfront helps you compare quotes and avoid surprise costs.

If your boat refit involves multiple trades — such as rigging, engine work, electrical upgrades, and interior refurbishment — hiring a marine project manager can save significant time and money. They prevent scheduling conflicts, enforce quality standards, and ensure work is completed in the correct order. For simpler single-trade jobs, a project manager may not be necessary.

A full boat refit project management service typically includes scope development, contractor vetting and hiring, timeline creation, on-site supervision, budget tracking, and final quality inspection. The manager handles vendor invoices and keeps you updated with progress reports throughout the project. Some managers also assist with haul-out scheduling and marina coordination.

The duration of a managed boat refit depends on the scope of work, but minor refits can take 2–6 weeks while major overhauls on larger vessels can span 3–12 months. A marine project manager builds a realistic timeline during the planning phase and works to minimize yard time. Weather, parts availability, and contractor scheduling are common variables that affect timelines in the US.

Yes, many marine project managers offer pre-purchase consultation services, helping you assess a vessel's condition and estimate refit costs before you close the deal. After purchase, they can immediately take over coordinating all necessary repairs and upgrades. This service is especially popular among buyers purchasing older or offshore bluewater vessels.

A marine surveyor inspects and assesses a vessel's condition, providing a written report of findings — they do not manage repairs. A marine project manager takes action on those findings, hiring contractors and overseeing the actual repair or refit work. Many boat owners hire both: a surveyor to identify issues and a project manager to resolve them.

You can find qualified marine project managers through boating industry directories, local yacht clubs, boatyards, or online marketplaces like Boatwork.co that connect boat owners with vetted marine contractors. Look for candidates with backgrounds in marine trades, boatbuilding, or naval architecture and ask for references from past clients. Membership in organizations like ABYC or SNAME can also indicate professional credibility.

Ask about their experience with vessels similar to yours, how they handle contractor disputes, what software or tools they use to track budgets and timelines, and how often they provide progress updates. You should also clarify whether they have an established contractor network in your area and how change orders are handled. Requesting a sample project plan or budget breakdown is a reasonable ask.

For a complex engine replacement on a large vessel — especially twin-engine or diesel repowers — a marine project manager can coordinate the engine supplier, installation crew, alignment specialist, and sea trial technician to keep the project on schedule. Without oversight, these jobs often experience costly delays due to miscommunication between trades. The project manager's fee is frequently offset by avoiding downtime and rework.