News

Join Steve Zimmerman for his passionate and personable live presentations on Thursday, Nov.12 at 9:00 am for the DownEast Loop and on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 3:00 pm for How To Buy A Used Boat...As Told By The Boatyard.

To view the entire schedule and register please click on the link - TrawlerFest LIVE

If you are a Zimmerman Marine Customer, please call our office at 804-725-3440 before you register for a special offer.

The storm damage repairs to our Southport office are complete and we are back to serve your boating needs.

Thank you for your patience and support during this difficult time.

Contact Adam Spiliotis with work requests. 910-477-9044.

We service all types of boats for one kind of customer.

While our office at Southport Marina is still undergoing repairs from the storm damage, our staff has returned to the marina to work on boats that are in dry storage. The marina recently reopened the haul and launch operation for those customers. We are on-site to work on their boats as needed.

Meanwhile, many of the boats from the devastated Southport Marina docks were taken to our nearby location at Holden Beach where we are busy with both repairs and salvage operations.

Due to the severity of the damage from Hurricane Isaias, our Southport Marina office has temporarily relocated all services to our location in Holden Beach, NC.

The marina docks were heavily damaged during the storm. Major clean up and repairs are already underway. Boats are being removed from the marina basin systematically and taken to other locations. 

We are fully operational at our Holden Beach facility on the ICW

You can reach us at 910-477-9044 or 910-842-5488

Zimmerman Marine welcomes Bob Arrington to our team as Yacht Purchase Support Specialist.

Bob has 45 years of boating experience on the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay and off-shore waters of the U.S. Atlantic Seaboard and Caribbean. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-Ton Master's Certificate. 

Bob shares his love of the water as a writer, marine industry consultant, boat training capatain, and scuba instructor. He provides boat owners with lessons in seamanship, safety systems, handling and vessel operation at the TrawlerFest boat show seminar series and boat brands owner's clubs.

As an award-winning published writer, his articles on seamanship and boating lifestyle can be seen in Power & Motor Yachts, Marinalife, Passagemaker, Soundings and Southern Boating Magazines. Based in St. Petersburg, FL he and his photographer wife Dori cruise extensively aboard their trawler Liberdade, looking for the next story to tell.

You can contact Bob at [email protected]

For more information on what Yacht Purchase Support means click here.

On July 1, 2020 Zimmerman Marine will add a second location to its Southport NC services. ZMI will relocate its large boat service operation to Holden Beach, 13 miles south of Southport on the ICW. The new location will enable ZMI to haul, service boats up to 60’ and 65 tons. The company will continue to have an office and staff at Southport Marina to service outboards, slip holders, and transients.

Zimmerman Marine, an employee owned company now in its 40^th year, with locations in Herrington Harbor, Deale MD, Deltaville VA, Mathews VA, Southport NC, and Charleston SC.

For more info on this new location please call 910-842-5488.

With the bulkhead project in our Mathews, VA yard complete we are ready to haul cats, power or sail.

Operations Manager Max Parker had this to say about the project and what it means to the Mathews yard.

“The initial response from catamaran owners has been fantastic. We can now haul cats with up to 32’ beam and we’re the only yard on the Chesapeake that can do that. Cruising catamarans are very popular. We’re really excited about being in a position to serve all these boats that have had a hard time finding a good yard with the capabilities to haul, repair, and upgrade their boats.”

If you have questions or want to schedule a haul, please call Max at 804-725-3440.

Our repair facilty at Herrington Harbour North will reopen on Monday April 13th.

The office door may be locked during business hours for the health and safety of our customers and staff during this rapidly progressing health crisis. 

Please call, we are here and happy to discuss repairs over the phone or meet outside. 410-867-4400.

Thank you.

The restrictions on pleasure boat usage during the Pandemic differ in Maryland and Virginia.

This article from Cheapeake Bay Magazine online should help clarify the restrictions for each state.

Please click HERE to view the article.

Our service facility and office at Herrington Harbour North will temporarily close for an anticipated two-week period beginning Thursday, April 2. Please call the Zimmerman Marine main office at 804-725-3440 if you need assistance.

COVID-19 Update

As of March 24 all ZMI yards remain open.

We have implemented many in-house guidelines based on the latest information from health experts. Due to the nature of our work, social distancing is not unusual for us and not a problem. We have some office staff working remotely and have encouraged customers to call or email to minimize walk in traffic. Thankfully all yards remain busy and we are able to keep our people employed while keeping the risk levels low.

Our Southport yard donated N95 respirators to the local hospital and all of us feel grateful for our health care providers.

We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments and announcements as needed.

If you are attending one of the TrawlerFest Seminars in Stuart, FL with Steve Zimmerman you may click on the appropriate link below to access the information. Please use the password given at the seminar.

Diesel Engine Class

Downeast Circle for TFest

How To Maintain A Cruising Boat

Boat Buyers Survival Guide - Hull Forms

Steve Zimmerman will be speaking at Passagemaker Magazine's TrawlerFest in Stuart, FL, March 3-7.

Tuesday and Wednesday, March 3 & 4 – Diesel Engine Class with Nigel Calder

Tuesday, March 3 – Downeast Circle Route

Thursday, March 5 – Boat Buyer’s Survival Guide

Friday, March 6 – How To Maintain A Cruising Powerboat

Kathryn Perry has been promoted to Vice President of Zimmerman Marine. The promotion comes as we transition into a new phase as an employee owned company. Kathryn has been with ZMI for 12 years.

"Kathryn has earned my trust, respect, and confidence. Over the past 12 years she has taken on an expandiing portfolio of responsibilities, managing our finances, overseeing our PierVantage system, improving our HR polices, implementing payroll improvements, and building an outstanding admin team. Kathryn is an effective leader and a great person to be around. I am very happy for ZMI and for Kathryn."   Steve Zimmerman

On January 1, 2020 Zimmerman Marine launched an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and became a 100% employee owned company. “Our present success is built on the shoulders of our remarkable employees, and our future will be defined by our ability to attract and retain highly skilled people. Becoming an employee owned company provides the best path to reward those who helped us get here, and to give others another reason to join us,” said company president, Steve Zimmerman.

Zimmerman Marine operates five service locations from Maryland to South Carolina, with just under 70 employees. 2020 marks the firms 40^th year in the boat repair and service business.  The plan, which allows employees to earn stock in the firm, is designed as a long-term retirement benefit for all employees as owners.

“We have always treated our employees with respect, collaboration, and appreciation. Becoming an ESOP fits our existing culture and takes these qualities to a new level. I could not be more excited for our people and for the future of ZMI,” said Steve Zimmerman. A new board of directors has been formed and Zimmerman will continue as President and CEO.

Steve Zimmerman will be speaking at the Hampton Rendezvous.

To view the information being discussed click on the link below and use the password provided by Steve at the seminar.

Marine Corrosion - Snowbirds

Participants of the Krogen Owner's Rendezvous can click on the link below using the passwoord given by Steve Zimmerman to view the seminar material.

Engine Longeveity

Cruiser's University attendees can click on the link to view material covered in seminar using the passowrd provided.

How To Maintain A Cruising Boat - Above and Below The Waterline 

Zimmerman Marine, Mathews, VA is happy to announce it now has catamaran hauling capabilities at our Mobjack Bay location. The expansion is taking place in two phases. We just added into service a new 50 ton hydraulic trailer designed for catamarans. During the winter 2019/2020 ZMI will reposition a dock and bulkhead, enabling the yard to haul cats up to 30’ wide. The first phase will enable the yard to immediately haul catamarans up to 24’ wide. The trailer will also handle power boats up to 64’ LOA, sailboats up to 66' LOA. 

We had our first successful Cat haul the day after the new trailer was delivered.

If you are attending one of the TrawlerFest seminars, click on your seminar and use the password given at seminar to access information.

Diesel Engine Class

How To Maintain a Cruising Powerboat

How Buy A Used Boat

The Downeast Circle Route

Zimmerman Marine will be offering the following onsite services at this year’s Krogen Owners Rendezvous in Solomons MD.

• John Deere authorized service. We will have our John Deere mechanic onsite Thursday and Friday, October 10 & 11th for basic Deere maintenance services. Availability is very limited and must be scheduled in advance so that we can have parts available.

• Shore power health check. We will have a marine electrician onsite to check boats for ground fault problems. Due to time constraints, this service will focus on identifying the presence of problems. Subsequent work required to correct any problems found will have to be addressed at a later date.  

Service will be provided on a first-come first-served basis, and requests for service should be made in advance so that we can have the needed parts and personnel onsite.

To request service please email [email protected] or call 804-725-3440.

Steve Zimmerman will speak at the following events this fall.

TrawlerFest Baltimore, Sept. 23-28, Baltimore.

Cruisers University, Oct 7, Annapolis, MD, Maintaining Your Boat -  Above and Below the Waterline

Krogen Owners Rendezvous, Oct. 10 & 11, Solomon's Island

Southport Yamaha, a division of Zimmerman Marine in Southport, NC has been certified by Yamaha as a 5 Star GOLD Dealer.

This means that this dealership is an exclusive dealership for Yamaha Marine outboard products, and meets all sales, marketing and service training requirements as well as offer Priority Service to Yamaha warranty customers, displays and sells Yamaha oil, lubes and maintenance products.

Congratulations Adam Spiliotis, Sales and Service Manager, and the whole Yamaha team.

Steve Zimmerman will speak on May 22, 2019 to the Monk Owners in Deltaville, VA.

If you are attending thos seminar please click on the link and use the password given by Steve to view the  material.

Monk Owners

Steve Zimmerman wil be presenting a talk on "Making The Most Out Of Your Annual Haulout"

on May 2 at the Marine Trawler Owners Association, MTOA, gathering in Brunswick, Georgia.

Please click on the link above and use the passwoord given at the talk to access material.

Now you can pay your bill online.

Click on the Pay Online tab at the top of page and you will be directed to a new window for a fast and easy way to pay your bill.

We appreciate your business and are always trying to improve your Zimmerman Marine experience.

Thank you.

Steve Zimmerman will be speaking at Cruiser's University in Annapolis on April 25.

He will be discussing How to Maintain a Cruising Boat

If you are attending the talk you can access class information by clicking on the above link and use the password given at the class.

For more information go to Cruisers University.

If you are attending one of the TrawlerFest seminars, click on your seminar and use the password given at seminar to access information.

How To Maintain a Cruising Powerboat

Diesel Engine Class

How To Buy A Used Boat

The Downeast Circle Route

If you are attending this seminar please click on the link below to access information with password given at seminar.

Boat Corrosion Seminar

Zimmerman Marine President Steve Zimmerman will be speaking at these upcoming events.

Marine Corrosion Seminar, March 2 at Herrington Harbour North.

During TrawlerFest, Stuart FL, Steve will cover "Engine Maintenance", "How To Buy a Used Boat", "How to Maintain a Cruising Powerboat" and "The Downeast Circle Route". March 5-9.

At Cruiser's University in Annapolis, MD on April 25 he will present a seminar on "How To Maintain a Cruising Boat".

Finally, at the MTOA, Marine Trawler Owners Associaton on May 2, he will present "Make The Most of Your Annual Haulout"

Zimmerman Marine will be showcasing it's newest location in the Charleston Area

at the Charleston Boat Show on Jan. 25-27 at the Charleston Area Convention Center.

Look for us in Booth 143. We would love to meet you and talk about your plans on the water.

For more info visit http://www.thecharlestonboatshow.com/

Zimmerman Marine Southport has a new Yard Manager - J Jess. J has been a Marine Systems Tech with ZMI Southport since March of 2015. Prior to that he was a Quality Assurance manager with Rampage Yachts. J is passionate about customer service and has an impressive knowledge of marine systems.

J takes over from Steve Wallace who has moved further south to run our newest yard in Charleston at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina in Mt. Pleasant.

We wish them both continued success.

Cruisers University Attendees can access material for Steve Zimmerman's seminar by clicking on the link below and using the password given at seminar.

How To Maintain A Cruising Boat

Krogen Owners can access the material for Steve Zimmerman's discussion on 

Shore Power Problems by clicking the link and using the password given by Steve.

Krogen Rendezvous 2018

TrawlerFest Baltimore Seminar Attendees can click on the link below to access semiinar material.

Use the password given at the seminar by Steve Zimmerman.

September 25-26 - TrawlerFest Diesel Engine Course 2018

September 28 - How To Maintain A Cruising Boat

How To Buy A Used Boat As Told By The Boatyard

The ZMI Southport Yard will reopen on Monday, September 24.

Call 910-477-9044 to schedule work or click on the Southport, NC page on our homepage and submit an online Work Order request.

Due to Hurricane Florence, our Southport Office is temporarily closed.

We will update this information later this week.

Our thoughts are with our employees, customers and all those that were in the path of this relenteless storm.

Zimmerman Marine will be represented at TrawlerFest Baltimore from September 25-29. Steve Zimmerman will once again team up with Nigel Calder for a two day seminar - "Everything You Need To Know About Diesel Engines" on 9/25-26.

On Thursday and Friday morning Steve will be part of a group discussion "The Boat Buyers Survival Guide". On Friday afternoon Steve will be taking part in a Town Hall Meeting - "The Cruisers Perspective".

On October 5, Steve Zimmerman and Max Parker will be on hand at the Krogen Owners Rendezvous in Annapolis.

Steve will also be speaking at Cruiser's University on October 10 - "Maintaining Your Boat - Above And Below The Waterline"

Zimmerman Marine will be well represented at both the Annapolis Sailboat Show, October 4-8, as well as the Annapolis Powerboat Show, October 11-14. Stop in and say hello to our staff.

Zimmerman Marine - Southport will be represented at the Wilmington Boat Show September 7-9th at the Wilmington Convention Center, Space 38. Stop by and say hello and see what we are all about.

Five Yards in Four States and Committed to helping you Cruise, Fish, or fullfilling whatever your dreams on the water are.

Our Southport Yard is celebrating a 5 Year Anniversary. The Southport location became the fourth location for Zimmerman Marine on August 13, 2013 and has grown tremendously over the past 5 years. Being located on the ICW has been a big factor in the growth but the location has been servicing boats at Southport Marina as well as many other local marinas.
Zimmerman Marine also became a Yamaha Dealer in 2016, now doing business as Southport Yamaha. 
Congratulations to Steve Wallace and his outstanding team!

The vans are ready to roll in the Charleston area. Our office is located at Charleston Harbor Marina Office on the second floor. You may request work by calling 843-849-2458 or you can submit an ONLINE WORK ORDER REQUEST.

The July issue of Chesapeake Bay Magazine announced the winners of their Best Of The Bay survey.

We are pleased that our customers took the time to vote for Zimmermam Marine and happy to share the results.

In 2008, during a shaky economy, Steve Zimmerman made the decision to expand ZMI with a second location in Deltaville, VA. By locating the repair yard at an exisiting marina, Norview Marine, we were able to expand our customer base and offer more services. 

Under the guidance of yard manager, Adam Sadeg and his close knit team, this location has grown and offers a full range of repair and refit choices.

The occassion was celebrated with a catered lunch for employees.

We are pleased to announce that the newest, and 5th location for Zimmerman Marine will be opening July 16th at 8:00 AM. The office is located at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina. We are offering a Mobile Marine Repair Service that can come to you.

We will be posting phone numbers as soon as they are verified. In the meantime if you need more info or need to schedule service, please contact Steve Wallace ar [email protected].

Thank you for your patience. We will see you in Charleston very soon.

Zimmerman Marine will be opening a service operation in Charleston SC in mid-July 2018. Charleston Harbor Marina will serve as the base of operations for a mobile service for the surrounding area.

Company president Steve Zimmerman commented, “Charleston complements our existing service network perfectly. Transient cruisers can stay within our service family from Charleston SC all the way to Herrington Harbour in Maryland. With five yards in four states all sharing one database, we can seamlessly service cruisers as they make their way along the mid-Atlantic.” 

Zimmerman Marine, now in its 38^th year, also has locations in Southport NC, Mathews VA, Deltaville VA, and at Herrington Harbor in Deale MD.

For more infornation contact Steve Wallace.

Steve Zimmerman will speak on "Everything You Need To Know About Diesel Engines" and "How To Maintain A Cruising Powerboat" during TrawlerFest.

Attendees will receive password at seminar.

Click on the appropriate link to access material.

• Everything You Need To Know About Diesel Engines
• Care And Maintenance of Cruising Powerboats
• How To Buy A Used Boat

Herrington Harbour Winter Seminar - February 24 - Steve Zimmerman will present an informative talk on Shore Power Systems To register, click on the link above. CLICK HERE to access seminar material.

TrawlerFest Stuart March 6-11, Stuart, FL.

Steve will be speaking with Nigel Calder and Adolf Eller - Everything You Need To Know about Diesel Engines, a two day seminar on March 6-7.

On Friday March 9, Steve will be part of a Cruisers Roundtable and will discuss repairs and boatyards from booth the Cruiser and Boatyard perspective. Sunday, March 11, Steve will present Care & Maintenance Of The Cruising Powerboat.

Cruisers University

April 21 & 22 - Annapolis, MD. On Saturday the 21, Steve will present Maintaining Your Boat - Above and Below The Waterline and Sunday, April 22, Purchase Power - Tips on Buying a Powerboat

New customers Ron and Linda Jones purchased "Escape" from its original owners a couple of years before they retired. The main issue then was high engine hours. When purchased the engines were at 4000 hours. Despite the engine hours the couple determined this was the right boat for them.

They began, and continue to refit the the boat to their liking, replacing nearly every major component as well as adding several new ones, generator, inverter-charger, batteries, Vacuflush system, new galley range, washer-dryer, windlass, electronics and more.

Since the refit they have managed a three month cruise from their home base on Virginia's Eastern Shore north to Provincetown, as well as three - eight month winter cruises to the Bahamas which have added an additional 2000 hours to the engines. It became apparent that the last component of the refit was the engines.

Zimmerman Marine evaluated the engines before the couple's planned winter cruise and determined the engines needed to be overhauled or replaced before another trip south. There were compression issues as well as an oil leak. Fortunately the transmissions were rated for a much higher horsepower and exhibited virtually no signs of wear, which meant only the engines needed to be replaced, saving the couple a good deal of money.

The refit went smoothly from the start when the old engines were removed with the expandable forklift and an experienced team of techs. The clearance getting the engines in and out was minimal and it could have been a tense time for Ron who was looking on. It was clear the team knew exactly what they were doing. The engines never touched any other part of the boat until they were replaced back on the engine pans.

The engine refit is complete. Escape was returned to the water for the trial run which revealed the engines ran great. Some modifications to the props is required as expected.

Ron and Linda plan to cruise to the Bahamas and warmer temperatures. They will be breaking in two new Yanmar 4JH110 along the way.

Happy Cruising Ron and Linda!

For complete details and price quotes, call Adam at 910-477-9048 or email: [email protected]

Attendees of the "How to Get The Most Out Of Your Winter Haulout"can click here for material.

This information filled half day seminar will give you the knowledge you need to inspect and maintain your boat while on land for the winter. We will cover ...

BELOW the WATERLINE
- Inspecting the hull below the waterline for blisters, delamination, moisture intrusion and strategies for prevention
- How to inspect your underwater hardware for signs of galvanic and stray current corrosion
- Sacrificial anodes - how they work, how many you need, and effect from other boats.
- Drive train maintenance - how to check and maintain your propeller, shaft, bearings and shaft seal
- Selecting the best bottom paint for your boat

ABOVE the WATERLINE
-Gelcoat - what it does and how to preserve it. Understanding and repairing gelcoat cracks
- Deck structure - how to protect the core and preserve the value of your boat
- How to protect wood on fiberglass boats
- How to rebed deck hardware

SYSTEMS
- Annual engine inspections and service
- Shore power safety - what to look for and best practices
- Siphon breaks - how they work and how to service

Saturday, November 11, 8:30 - 12:30, HHN Meeting Room, (above West Marine)
The cost is $100.00 - To register call Gail at 804-725-3440 or
Teresa at 410-867-4400 or 301-261-5151.

Attendees can click here for access to seminar materials... click here for material.

Cruisers University attendees can click here for material.

The link requires password given at seminar by Steve.

"What Your Thru Hulls Can Tell You About Your Electrical System"

Krogen Rendezvous attendees can click here for the material.

Use the password provided by Steve at seminar.

Attendees for the TrawleFest Bay Bridge Seminar wth Steve Zimmerman, How To Maintain a Cruising Powerboat can click here to access material using the password provided at seminar.