Esteemed Colleagues:
I'm finally going to have my Ariel hauled out for a bottom repaint, sealing of the (illegal) head throughhulls (unnecessary throughhulls are evil), and inspection of the rudder. My rudder has a little play in it, which has me concerned.
Are there any facilities in the SF Bay area that are renowned to know the Ariel well and are not run by money grubbing pirates (I know that's a lot to ask of any haul-out facility)?
A new rudder post bearing will likely take care of the "play" in your rudder.
I've used Svendsens in Alameda, The Boat Yard at Grand Marina (Almeda) and the Berkeley Marine Center. Berkeley was the least expensive (ten years ago), followed by the Grand Marina boat yard (two years ago). Svend's is likely the most experienced yard (The did the work on A-100).
Svendsens and Bay Marine in Richmond. Great work, honest and friendly.