Name: Carlos Boat Works LLC
Address: 557 Francisco Blvd. E., San Rafael, CA, 94901, US
Telephone: (415) 524-5194
Price range: $$
Rating: 5

What We Do

Marine Services From Bow to Stern

Comprehensive care for every part of your vessel — from emergency repairs to routine maintenance, all under one covered roof in San Rafael.

Bow-to-Stern Repair

Bow-to-Stern Boat Repair

From hairline gelcoat cracks to a complete refit, our covered Bay Area shop handles every kind of marine repair with precision craftsmanship. We diagnose the root cause first, give you a clear written estimate, then do the job right the first time.

Insurance repairs
Scheduled maintenance
Marine batteries & generators
Cosmetic & fiberglass repairs

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Preventative Maintenance

Preventative Boat Maintenance

Bay saltwater is brutal on boats. Our scheduled-maintenance program catches corrosion, wear and electrical issues months before they leave you stranded.

Engine diagnostics & tune-ups
Fluid checks & replacements
System inspections
Seasonal prep & winterizing

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Boat Detailing

Premium Boat Detailing

A boat's gelcoat starts oxidizing the day it hits the water. Our multi-stage compound, polish, and ceramic coating brings it back to like-new and protects it from sun, salt, and slip neighbors.

Exterior & interior cleaning
Topside & bottom painting
Polishing, waxing & gel coat
Teak, wood & stainless care

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Electrical Services

Marine Electrical Services

Bay saltwater finds every loose terminal. We diagnose the gremlins other shops can't, then fix them properly with marine-grade tinned wire, heat-shrink terminals, and ABYC-correct circuit protection.

Installation services
Electronics upgrades
Troubleshooting & repairs
Marine wiring & corrosion repair

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Fiberglass Restoration

Fiberglass & Gelcoat Repair

From dock-rash and stress cracks to major hull and stringer rebuilds, we color-match gelcoat and lay glass the right way — vacuum-bagged where it matters, faired by hand, and finished to a mirror polish. Decks, cabins, transoms, hulls — we handle the toughest jobs other yards turn down.

Gelcoat repair
Fiberglass patching
Hull restoration
Deck, cabin & cosmetic work

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Our Work

Real Projects. Real Results.

From full hull restorations to engine repowers and detailing — here’s a look at boats we’ve brought back to life on the central Bay.

Jeanneau sailboat "Skye" in the marina after full service — Sailboat Jeanneau “Skye” — Full Service

Fishing Team vessel with dual Yamaha 200 outboards in covered bay — Repower Dual Yamaha 200 Repower

Jeanneau Skye on stands in covered work bay — In the Bay Jeanneau “Skye” — In the Bay

Fishing Team vessel being crane-launched in the rain — Crane Launch Crane Launch — “Fishing Team”

Large sailboat in covered work bay with crane — Major Overhaul Major Overhaul in Our Covered Bay

Fresh hull paint with mirror-like finish in covered bay — Hull Paint Hull Paint — Mirror Finish

Close-up of polished hull with gold cove stripe — Detailing Topside Polish & Cove Stripe

Marine electrical panel rewiring — Electrical Full Electrical Rewire

Restored teak deck sailboat docked in marina — Restoration Teak Deck Restoration

Freshly painted hull with gold cove stripe detail in covered bay — Custom Paint Custom Paint & Gold Stripe Detail

San Joaquin County Sheriff patrol boat hauled out for service — Commercial Sheriff Patrol Boat Service

Red MasterCraft X14 wakeboard boat on stands in yard — Wakeboard MasterCraft X14 Service

Sport fishing boat docked after full service — Sport Fisher Sport Fisher — Complete Service

Classic Chris-Craft in the marina — Classic Chris-Craft Detailing

Carlos — Founder & Master Marine Technician

Since 1999

About the Captain

Meet Carlos De La Cruz

Carlos started Carlos' Boat Works because he was tired of seeing Bay Area boaters get bad work done by big-shop marinas that didn't care. 25+ years later, the shop has the same philosophy: do the job right, treat the customer the way you'd want to be treated, and stand behind every repair.

Honest diagnostics We tell you what's actually wrong — not what'll pad the bill.

Master-craftsman work Every repair is done to factory standards or better.

Direct access to the owner When you call, you talk to Carlos or someone he trained personally.

Stand-behind warranty We back our work.

Read Our Story (415) 524-5194

More Services

Other Services We Offer

Beyond the work shown above — from outboard repower to lithium battery conversion to teak restoration — explore the full menu.

In High Demand

Outboard Repower

Yamaha, Mercury, Suzuki and Honda repowers done right the first time.

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Bottom Paint

Slick, long-lasting bottom paint sized to your slip and use pattern.

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Winterizing

Protect your engine through winter and start the season ready to go.

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Insurance Repair

We work directly with your insurer so you don't have to.

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Engine Repair

Inboard, outboard, sterndrive and diesel — we work on them all.

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Survey Prep

Pass your insurance survey — or know what you're really buying.

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Rigging

Standing and running rigging inspection, repair and replacement.

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Bilge & Plumbing

Keep your boat dry and your plumbing flowing.

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Electronics

Garmin, Raymarine, Furuno and Simrad — properly installed and integrated.

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View All 21 Services →

By The Numbers

25 Years. 500+ Boats. One Shop That Does It All.

25+

Years in business

500+

Boats serviced

5.0

Star rating

100%

Locally owned

Service Area

Serving the Central SF Bay Waterfront

From Petaluma to Berkeley, San Francisco to Vallejo — wherever your boat is on the water, we can service it.

16 Service Areas

San Rafael ★ HQ
Marin County

—

Sausalito
Marin County

18 min

Tiburon
Marin County

20 min

Belvedere
Marin County

20 min

Mill Valley
Marin County

14 min

Larkspur
Marin County

10 min

Corte Madera
Marin County

11 min

Novato
Marin County

18 min

Petaluma
Sonoma County

28 min

San Francisco
San Francisco County

28 min

Richmond
Contra Costa County

22 min

Berkeley
Alameda County

28 min

Emeryville
Alameda County

30 min

Oakland
Alameda County

32 min

Alameda
Alameda County

35 min

Vallejo
Solano County

32 min

What Our Customers Say

Real Reviews From Bay Area Boaters

★★★★★

5.0 stars · 37 verified reviews on Google

★★★★★

“I had a fantastic experience with Carlos. He tuned my engine on my 25-foot Scout fishing boat and put on new bottom paint. In addition to that I had cracked the hood of my outboard and he repainted it and got the decals — it looks perfect. What a great guy, what a great experience!”

TH

Tim Hachman via Google

★★★★★

“Carlos has helped me and my boat needs a tremendous amount. He is a fair and honest man. My boat would not be the same without him, and I am really happy with everything he has done. After visiting the three top outboard dealers in the area for a repower, I couldn't be happier I went with Carlos. He wants to do the job right and not cut any corners. Makes time out of his busy schedule to walk you through everything. Professional and patient with all my questions. Even going out of his way to trailer my boat to and from his shop at his own expense. I am glad I have Carlos for all my boating needs.”

Daniel Ruiz via Google

★★★★★

“So happy we found Carlos. He has taken excellent care of our boat including setting us up with a great outboard motor and cleaning and painting the hull. His service is timely. He is pleasant and patient. Our "go to" for all of our boat needs.”

John Allan via Google

★★★★★

“Carlos will follow through on any issue pertaining the work he and his team perform on your boat. Next to the other outfits on the Bay, Carlos Boatworks stands above them all for overall craftsmanship and VALUE.”

Rick Patrick via Google

★★★★★

“Carlos did a great job fixing up my 1996 Bayliner Capri 1950. I honestly didn't think it could be done — we had our starter fall out with the bolts breaking off in the manifold. I had hired someone before Carlos to fix it, but they drilled the holes at an angle and the starter didn't align. Carlos and his team were able to fix the issue, realigned and redrilled the holes. Very satisfied, highly recommend for boat work.”

Peter Stadniuk via Google

★★★★★

“My husband had a really good experience with Carlos. He did a bottom paint and refastened a rub rail. He also serviced the lower end of the Yamaha outboards and fixed some fiberglass dents and scratches on the hull of our C-Dory 22. We were very happy with the results and everything was done on time as promised and for a good price. We would definitely choose Carlos again.”

Anne McClain via Google

Read All Reviews →

Why Choose Us

Honest Work. Master Craftsmanship. Real Warranties.

Honest diagnostics

We tell you what's actually wrong — not what'll pad the bill. If a $30 fix solves your problem, that's the recommendation.

Master-craftsman work

Every repair is done to factory standards or better. We use marine-grade materials, never automotive shortcuts.

Direct access to the owner

When you call, you talk to Carlos or someone he trained personally. No service-writer middle layer.

Stand-behind warranty

We back our work. If something we did fails, we make it right — no fine print.

Bow-to-Stern Boat Service for the SF Bay Area

Marine Services From Bow to Stern

Bow-to-Stern Boat Repair

Preventative Boat Maintenance

Premium Boat Detailing

Marine Electrical Services

Fiberglass & Gelcoat Repair

Real Projects. Real Results.

Meet Carlos De La Cruz

Other Services We Offer

Outboard Repower

Bottom Paint

Winterizing

Insurance Repair

Engine Repair

Survey Prep

Rigging

Bilge & Plumbing

Electronics

25 Years. 500+ Boats. One Shop That Does It All.

Serving the Central SF Bay Waterfront

16 Service Areas

Real Reviews From Bay Area Boaters

Honest Work. Master Craftsmanship. Real Warranties.

Honest diagnostics

Master-craftsman work

Direct access to the owner

Stand-behind warranty

Ready to Get Your Boat in Prime Condition?