Since the early-1980s, Marine Group Boat Works, formerly South Bay Boat Yard, has made its home on one million square feet of land and water along the waterfront, quietly becoming San Diego's largest boatyard.

In 2006, South Bay Boat Yard decided to re-invent itself to accommodate the growing demands of the private and commercial boating industry – including developing an entirely new state-of-the-art facility, drastically enhancing its equipment capacity with the incorporation of a 665-ton Travelift and changing its name to Marine Group Boat Works to reflect its new image.

The expansion project began in April 2006 and involved:
• Construction of 150-foot piers for the incorporation of a new 665-ton Marine Travelift, a six-story moving boat crane that was transported to the facility from Wisconsin in pieces aboard 19 semi trucks
• Construction of a 25,000-square-foot new office and workshop complex
• Demolition of 20,000 square feet of structures
• Paving of four acres

In January of 2007, Marine Group Boat Works completed the renovation project and opened its doors with brand new, on-site workshops allowing them to provide customized work ranging from painting to fairing, to mechanical and electrical refits. With the incorporation of the new lift, the facility is able to accommodate loads up to 665 tons or 1.3 million pounds (220 feet long and 54 feet wide). This was the second lift over 500 tons ever to be made in the U.S. With the incorporation of this new travelift, Marine Group Boat Works has since lifted over 180 vessels weighing 100 tons or greater.

Since the expansion, Marine Group Boat Works formed a Superyacht division and a New Construction division. The Superyacht division offers clients their own office space, concierge service, parking and other high-class amenities. Along with that, the Superyacht division is comprised of the industry's most respected and knowledgeable professionals, including Captain Fred Larsson of ATTESSA and Eric Lundeen and Jason Burden of ORION.

The New Construction division was formed to encompass Marine Group Boat Works’ array of new construction services including hull extensions, fly bridge extensions and other fiberglass and metal fabrications. This new division was formally created shortly after Marine Group Boat Works was awarded a contract valued over $30 million to construct three 110-foot Range Training Support Crafts (RTSC) for the U.S. Navy. Marine Group Boat Works has a long history of designing and constructing boats including the police boats for the Port of San Diego and Port of Los Angeles along with Net Skiffs for the American Tuna Fishing Fleet.

 Marine Group Boat Works has been featured on The History Channel’s "Modern Marvels” for having the largest Travelift in the nation. In 2008, the boatyard was awarded Fastest Growing Company by bizSanDiego Magazine and San Diego Business Journal for its 88% increase in revenues.

• Propulsion/Auxiliary:
Service and repair for all makes, complete engine re-powers

• Shaft and Prop:
Alignment, repair, ABS approved, SS clad welding of shafts ok U.S.C.G. certified web

• Custom Metal/Fiberglass Fabrication:
Hull Extensions: Aluminum, SS, titanium, bronze, USCG- and ABS-certified welders and pipefitters

• Custom Joinery Work:
Fine-finish interior carpentry, hand-laid teak decks

• Sandblast/Paint/Finish:
Brightwork, topsides, superstructure, non-skid, bottom paint, Q.P.1. certified sand blast and coatings featuring Sterling, Awlgrip, Shermin Williams/Proline paints, certified Sea Hawk and Prop Speed Applicators

• Complete Electrical Refits and Repair:
Skilled team of electricians on site

• Mechanical repair
• Electrical repair
• Fine-finished carpentry
• Paint and Fiberglass repair
• Machine and Welding