Haulout Gig Harbor

By:  Kerrie Clos

When boat owner Dave Reames of Tacoma had a buyer for his 4788 Bayliner, the buyer’s choice for haulout services for surveying was naturally Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard.  “That’s where he wanted it done,” said Reames, who has owned Lady Barbara for 10 years, so he cruised over from the Tacoma Yacht Club where the elegant 47-foot Pilot House Motoryacht is moored.  Reames left Lady in good hands and then walked a few steps along Harborview Drive for a relaxing lunch at the historic Tides Tavern on the Gig Harbor waterfront.

Gig Harbor Marina is the only full service facility with a 50-ton metric Travelift for hauling boats out of the water — and the only marina with long-time staff member Mark Rybin at the controls.  Rybin is Travelift operator and dockmaster who has been with the marina for 35 years and he handles boats with gentle care.

When Lady Barbara glided over the lift slings that Rybin had lowered in the Travelift channel, he set about carefully adjusting the wide straps to support her during her lift.  With experienced precision he operated the yellow remote control box to raise Lady out of the water and gently set her down on wooden blocks.  It’s easy to see why Lady Barbara’s buyer wanted her haulout done at Gig Harbor Marina & Boatworks.