Serenity Shipyard Jomtien - Custom Catamarans & Marine Repairs

Established in 2001 with promotion from the Thailand Board of Investment, Serenity Shipyard is a custom composite multihull specialist based at Ocean Marina Jomtien, south of Pattaya. The yard designs and builds sailing and power catamarans ranging from 40 feet to over 100 feet, combining European naval architecture with local skilled fabrication.

Founded and directed by French boatbuilder Jean-Marie Obry, the facility handles new bespoke multihull builds, yacht refits, and marine-grade stainless steel fabrication. Serenity Shipyard also supports day-charter fleet operations in the Gulf of Thailand and Koh Samui, notably with its proprietary Serenity 71 catamarans. The yard primarily caters to overseas yacht owners, charter operators, and long-distance cruisers seeking robust ocean-going catamarans constructed to international classification standards at competitive regional build rates.

Custom Multihull Construction and Shipyard Facilities

Serenity Shipyard operates a full-scale composite boatbuilding and marine engineering facility within the Ocean Marina Jomtien complex. Established in 2001 with Board of Investment promotion, the yard combines composite structural laminating, precision metal machining, and superyacht refit halls in one waterfront location.

Vacuum-infused composite fabrication forms the foundation of multihull production at Serenity Shipyard. The manufacturing team builds custom catamarans ranging from 40 feet to over 100 feet in length, using multi-axial E-glass fabrics, high-density structural PVC foam cores, and vinyl-ester or isophthalic resins consolidated under continuous vacuum pressure. This infusion process produces a high strength-to-weight ratio, structural rigidity, and resistance to water ingress or osmosis across long ocean passages. Production bays accommodate vessels exceeding 25 metres, equipped with temperature-regulated resin infusion zones, overhead hoists, and precision alignment jigs.

The yard collaborates with international naval architects, including British firm Dixon Yacht Design, French multihull designers Mortain-Mavrikios, and the Dubois Yacht Design studio. Past custom builds encompass large performance cruising multihulls such as the 72-foot blue-water catamaran Laysan, custom Dubois 85 sailing platforms, and the commercial Serenity 71 series. Every stage of structural hull assembly follows strict laminate schedules and weight monitoring in line with CE and ISO recreational craft standards. Direct communication between the client, yard managers, and naval architects allows saloon configurations, cabin layouts, and sail plans to be tailored to specific cruising or commercial requirements.

Marine Systems Engineering and Custom Stainless Metalwork

Offshore vessels sailing in tropical waters demand resilient mechanical systems, plumbing networks, and exterior metal fittings. Serenity Shipyard maintains a dedicated in-house stainless steel and aluminium fabrication workshop on site at Ocean Marina. Machinists produce marine-grade 316 stainless stanchions, bow pulpits, stern boarding ladders, davit hoists, chainplates, and mast fittings fitted directly to each vessel’s deck profile.

Engineering teams install twin diesel propulsion systems—regularly sourced from Yanmar or Volvo Penta—configured with dual-circuit electrical distribution, marine-grade inverters, and high-capacity lithium battery banks. Blue-water yachts are outfitted with reverse-osmosis watermakers, tropical climate control systems, blackwater sanitation tanks, and integrated multi-station navigation suites featuring radar, autopilot, and satellite communications. Managing all metalwork and systems installations in-house prevents extended delays associated with outsourcing deck hardware or custom structural brackets.

Having an on-site metal fabrication facility gives refit crews and new-build teams immediate access to custom-milled replacement hardware and reinforced rigging fittings during commissioning.

Superyacht Refit Services, Structural Modifications, and Marine Maintenance

Alongside new composite construction, Serenity Shipyard serves as an active refit and maintenance centre for private yachts and commercial vessels on Thailand's Eastern Seaboard. Shipwrights execute structural hull extensions, transom modifications, flybridge construction, interior joinery alterations, and teak deck installations. Painting teams handle surface fairing, high-gloss marine polyurethane finishes, and epoxy osmosis barrier coats.

The yard utilises the travel lifts and hardstand facilities at Ocean Marina to slip vessels for scheduled antifouling, propeller shaft realignment, cutless bearing renewals, and rudder maintenance. Electrical engineers replace degraded wiring with tinned marine-grade harnesses and update digital switchboards to meet contemporary maritime safety standards. Managing director Jean-Marie Obry oversees a transparent project accounting system that logs technician hours, materials, and equipment requisitions, giving owners line-item visibility across short haul-outs and extensive restoration programmes.

Gulf of Thailand Fleet Operations and Real-World Testing

Serenity Shipyard demonstrates its naval architecture and composite endurance through its operational charter division, Serenity Yachting. Operating under Tourism Authority of Thailand licensing (TAT No. 14/01380), the charter fleet runs public day cruises and private charters from the marina piers into the Gulf of Thailand. The custom 71-foot catamarans accommodate between 45 and 60 passengers across wide twin-deck layouts featuring shaded saloon seating, open-air sundecks, a commercial galley, and forward trampolines suspended between the hulls.

Excursions sail towards outer islands including Koh Phai, Koh Rin, and Koh Ped (Monkey Island), providing access to swimming, coral reef snorkelling, stand-up paddleboards, and sea fishing. A freshly prepared Thai buffet lunch is served on board during each day passage. Experiencing a sailing trip on a Serenity 71 allows prospective yacht buyers and multihull enthusiasts to evaluate hull stability, wake tracking, and composite construction under genuine commercial sea conditions.

Location and Getting There

Serenity Shipyard operates within the Ocean Marina Jomtien complex at Building 167/3, Moo 4, Sukhumvit Highway Km 157 in Na Jomtien, Sattahip District, Chon Buri. Positioned along the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand, the facility sits approximately 15 kilometres south of central Pattaya and 130 kilometres southeast of Bangkok.

International travellers landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) can arrange a direct private taxi or limousine transfer, which takes roughly 90 minutes via Route 7 (Motorway 7) and typically costs between 1,400 THB and 1,800 THB (£32 to £41). Those arriving at U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport (UTP) face a convenient 30-minute drive north along Highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road), with metered airport taxis costing approximately 600 THB to 800 THB (£14 to £18).

From central Jomtien or Pattaya Beach, app-based ride services such as Grab or Bolt cost roughly 250 THB to 350 THB (£6 to £8) each way. Alternatively, regular white songthaews run along Sukhumvit Road between Pattaya and Sattahip, dropping passengers at the marina entrance for 20 THB to 30 THB. Ocean Marina features 24-hour gated security, dedicated visitor parking bays, and signposted walking routes leading directly to the working boatyard and marina piers.

Costs and Booking

Project costs at Serenity Shipyard divide between leisure day charters and capital investments for custom catamaran construction or refits. Bespoke multihull builds spanning 40 to over 100 feet require multi-million-baht commitments. These projects are priced individually against naval architecture plans, with payments structured across contractual build milestones or transparent time-and-materials accounting rather than fixed list prices.

For day charters on the Gulf of Thailand, the fleet operates scheduled join-in cruises and private hires from Ocean Marina Jomtien. At the time of research, scheduled join-in day tours cost 2,700 THB (approximately £61) per adult in low season (late April to November) and 3,250 THB (£74) in high season (December to mid-April). These shared sailings include Pattaya hotel transfers, Thai buffet lunch, soft drinks, fishing tackle, snorkelling gear, and island entry fees. Children aged three to twelve pay half price, while children under three travel free.

Private charters on vessels such as the Serenity 71 cater to private groups. An eight-hour full-day charter costs 90,000 THB (£2,045) in low season and 112,500 THB (£2,557) in high season for base groups of up to 25 to 30 passengers, with additional guests up to 60 charged at 1,000 THB (£23) each. Four-hour half-day private charters cost 50,000 THB (£1,136) in low season and 62,500 THB (£1,420) in high season, with extra guests charged at 500 THB (£11). Two-hour sunset charters run from 35,000 THB (£795) to 44,000 THB (£1,000).

Who It Suits

Serenity Shipyard suits sailing enthusiasts, long-distance cruisers, and commercial operators seeking tailored, ocean-capable multihulls built to bespoke specifications. It also serves regional yacht owners in the Gulf of Thailand needing skilled composite repairs, custom stainless-steel fabrication, or major refit work.

By contrast, the yard is not an equipment rental kiosk and does not supply walk-in jet skis or small powerboats for casual hire. Travellers, families, and private groups looking for an unhurried day on the water can book day cruises or private trips aboard Serenity’s sailing catamarans, providing a stable, spacious alternative to standard local speedboats across the offshore islands near Pattaya.

What to Know Before You Book

Access to Serenity Shipyard requires advance planning across both marine construction and day-charter operations. The shipyard sits within Ocean Marina Jomtien's working boatyard, where active heavy lifting and industrial composite work preclude casual drop-in visitors. Prospective owners seeking technical consultations or naval architectural reviews must arrange appointments beforehand to clear security gates and enter the work sheds.

Day-charter guests must provide full passenger details well before departure. Ocean Marina operations and local harbour officials require complete passenger manifests for maritime clearance before any vessel leaves the marina basin. A mandatory marina passenger fee also applies per person at check-in.

Prevailing weather patterns across the Gulf of Thailand dictate cruising itineraries. Between May and October, the southwest monsoon brings rougher swells to exposed outer islands such as Koh Phai and Koh Rin. Skippers frequently adjust sailing courses towards sheltered bays near Koh Larn or along the mainland coastline to preserve comfort.

Commissioning a bespoke multihull demands extended lead times. Because vacuum infusion, structural engineering, and interior joinery are completed to order within limited hardstand sheds, build slots must be reserved months in advance.

Practical Tips

Arrange an in-person shipyard walkthrough before signing a new-build contract or commissioning a major refit. Walking the yard with the engineering team allows you to inspect the composite lamination bays, examine active vacuum-infusion hull moulds, and assess the finish of in-house joinery and stainless steel fabrication firsthand.

For complex refit or repair contracts, ask to work under the yard's itemised monthly accounting system. Tracking actual workshop labour hours and hardware purchases on a rolling monthly cycle offers clearer cost control than fixed stage payments, helping prevent unexpected budget overruns at completion.

If docking an imported yacht for refit works, verify shore power compatibility in advance. Ocean Marina Jomtien supplies electricity on the Thai standard of 220 to 230 volts at 50 hertz. Vessels wired for North American 110-volt systems require step-down transformers or frequency converters before connecting to the pontoon supply.

Schedule extensive stainless steel fabrication or engineering modifications during the low-season window between June and September. The on-site metal workshops handle lower routine maintenance volumes during the monsoon months than during the busy winter sailing season, giving technicians more bench and welding capacity for bespoke commissions.

Carry photographic identification or a passport copy when checking in at Ocean Marina for a day charter. Port authorities check passenger manifests before vessels depart for the offshore islands.

Pack high-factor reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, and UV-protective clothing for day trips. The tropical sun on the open bow trampolines is intense throughout offshore passages. Sensitive sailors should take motion sickness remedies before departure, as open-water swells around outer reefs such as Koh Rin can test sea legs despite the natural stability of a twin-hull catamaran.

Reserving a day charter on an active Serenity catamaran provides an effective trial sail to evaluate hull motion, deck layouts, and construction quality before committing to a private build.

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