Safe Harbor Kittery Point

Another pleasant night moored at the old KPYY. Easy in & out, great facilities, and use of the courtesy car was much appreciated.

Boating is meant to be enjoyable, but... As members of SHKP since 2022 and spending an average of $20K per season on storage, mooring, hauling, commissioning, and maintenance, we gave the go ahead for rudder bearing replacement in fall of 2024 provided it would be complete by April 1, 2025, based on an estimate of around $3500 and provided it would not impact spring launch schedule for April 14-May 1st 2025. Rudder was pulled in fall of 2024 and existing rudder bearings destroyed in the process prior to us being notified that there were no exact match replacements, requiring hull modifications and available replacement bearings would cost $7500, and labor increased to about $3000. Since rudder had been already dropped we had no choice but to approve the purchase. We subsequently learned that no work was done on the project in the fall of 2024 and none in spring 2025 until April, making the project 2 months late and eliminating the possibility of making our agreed upon launch timetable. Billing and payment on project to this point was $10,500, 3x the estimate. The boat was finally launched in early June, only to be quickly hauled out due to leaking around the outside of the new rudder bearings. The service manager then stated to us that the project had become a "nightmare". The rudder was removed, recaulked, and boat relaunched on June 18. Though no leaking was observed, the technician who performed the work said he thought they might leak under certain sea conditions. We received an additional bill for over $5000 which made no mention of launch and leaking but which itemized labor for reperforming the faulty bearing installation. Upon sea trial Jun 19, the rudder appeared to be dry, but the technician observed a small drip at the engine heat exchanger raw water connection. We were notified that this would be addressed (without any potential issues being mentioned). Two weeks later, now July, we were informed that the technician would not be able to fix the now disassembled heat exchanger connection, and an outside contractor would have to be engaged. Under SHKP policy, only vendors approved by SHKP can work at the marina, and their chosen vendor was not local but an hours drive east in Portland, even though I identified local vendors who were willing and able to do the repair. The vendor - Power Products- designated by SHKP let the schedule slip twice by months and the final repair wasn't complete until the end of August, two months and $7500 after identification of the drip, which we would have been willing and able to live with until the end of the season. On top of this, we were prevented from direct communication with the vendor Power Products by the service manager at SHKP during the repair scheduling and work. All told, we paid $20,000 and lost an entire sailing season for work which we were not afforded adequate discussion and involvement in the decision making process, and we still have concerns about the quality and sea worthiness of the repairs. Since SHKP had our boat as virtual hostage through the entire process, our choices to find better qualified vendors was virtually nil. We hold SHKP management, particularly the service manager, directly responsible for this nightmare season, and warn every potential SBKP customer of our extremely stressful and costly experience. Caveat Emptor, Maine and NH boaters..

Always great to be at KPYY. Very nice facility and moorings. Jason and crew are very helpful and friendly.

Abosoutly beautiful stay… clean.. and easy.. helpful. And though. as well.. Will go back❤️

A gem of spot on the Piscataqua R if you prefer quiet to crowds in Pepperell Cove. Bike the mile into town with Walgreens, Ace hardware, laundramat, and great restaurants available. Jason and staff were very accommodating as we were dealing with engine issues. Facilities and staff are top notch. Our 2nd time here and now 1 of our fave stops. Highly recommend

Kittery safe harbor was a lovely stop as we moved down the coast from down east Maine. We have stopped here before and have always enjoyed our stay. Staff was very helpful and made us feel very welcome. Be back next year.

This is a hidden gem. The moorings are in a week protected area with easy access to shore. The dock master and staff are very welcoming and helpful. We wish our stay here was longer and we'll certainly book it again.

We stayed here twice this trip, once on the way north and then again on the way back south. The team here was excellent about communicating about timing, mooring location, and amenities benefits, etc. And though our timing didn't allow for us to meet any of the team, we felt they were always right there if we needed them and they were very professional and friendly! The current can run at a few knots at times, and there were many many lobster pots to avoid on the way in and out, but if you watch your navigation carefully to make sure you are staying in the channels and you'll be fine!

Second time here and enjoyed our stay as much as the first time

The harbor master, Jason, was very helpful, providing much information, and offering his cell phone number for any possible after hours needs. Before he left for the day he called to see whether we needed anything. We did not go ashore.

Beautiful spot. Friendly people, excellent guidance into the marina. It’s now on my favorites list.

This is a wonderful place to stay. Everyone who works there is incredibly helpful and made sure we had everything we needed. They supply a welcome bag and free ice and snacks. Shower in the building is very nice and they’ve added 2 additional showers in a trailer Our mooring was located near the entrance to Back Channel. A little challenging to get mooring when current is strong as it drags the mooring underwater but once on mooring it is perfect. Highly recommend. Calm night on mooring. We had friends who were over in Pepperrell cove and rocked all night.

Beautiful small marina with very friendly and helpful staff.

Wonderful stay, the team at Safe Harbor Kittery went above and beyond to accommodate us. Their team took great care of us getting our engine running with their professional team - we could not be happier!

Jason and Tara are great hosts. The facilities are clean. A very relaxing and quiet channel. Bikes, snacks and ice are offered.

What a beautiful location and the hospitality is just over the top. We will most certainly be back.

Staff was great. Location is quiet. Many percs when you stay with Safe Harbor.

Very nice marina. Team is professional, proactive and kind. Strange eddy currents around mooring balls make for some interesting swing behaviors. Nice clubhouse with coffee, ice, bikes and a nearly new courtesy car all included. Had a family feel even though part of Safe Harbor. Easy dinghy ride to downtown Portsmouth (Prescott Park).

Kind and friendly staff. Very restful mooring :-)

Very nice marina. We did the mooring ball for one night and the dock for another. The town of Kittery is walking distance with restaurants and shopping. You can dinghy the Portsmouth and stay at Prescott park. Walk into town with a lot of shops and restaurants. I would highly recommend this marina for staying in the area. Great staff.

Great spot! Very all and tranquil stay. Jason set us up nicely as we arrived after hours. We’ll definitely make this a stop on future trips.

Dockmaster Jason was very responsive through Dockwa - he accommodated a request for visitor parking, promptly procured a part, and provided a courtesy car for errands. Friendly folks all round. Can’t ask for more. The walk to a restaurant was pleasant and quiet, and made dessert guilt free.

Excellent service and super clean facility.

Great and very helpful staff. Secure, mooring balls.

Nice and quiet location. Access ti water, snacks, drink and ice. Friendly and helpful staff (Jason).