Thunderbolt Marina

Located along the Wilmington River in the town of Thunderbolt, Georgia, just southeast of Savannah, Thunderbolt Marine operates as a comprehensive maritime complex that integrates a full-service marina with an industrial-grade refit and repair shipyard. The 25-acre facility serves as a strategic hub for vessels transiting the Intracoastal Waterway and for large yachts requiring technical maintenance or major renovations. The site possesses a layered maritime history that predates its current commercial function. Originally the location of a Civil War fortification known as Thunderbolt Battery, the property was transformed in the late 1930s into a private boat basin by Asa Candler Jr., a prominent figure associated with the Coca-Cola Company. During World War II, the United States Army commandeered the basin to serve as a rescue boat station for offshore patrol vessels. The modern commercial era of the site began in the mid-1960s when the Honey family acquired the property, initially to support dredging operations before recognizing its potential for recreational marine services. By 1969, the location began operating as a marina and rapidly expanded its capabilities to include vessel repair. Following a period in the 1990s and early 2000s during which the yard was leased to the yacht builder Palmer Johnson, the founding family resumed direct management, re-establishing the facility as an independent service center. Operational capabilities at Thunderbolt Marine are defined by its capacity to handle substantial vessels. The shipyard utilizes a heavy-capacity Syncrolift and a Marine Travelift to haul superyachts and commercial boats out of the water for dry-dock work. The campus houses a diverse array of specialized workshops, employing in-house craftsmen for joinery, canvas production, metal fabrication, hydraulics, and marine systems. A notable infrastructure asset is the facility’s advanced, climate-controlled paint booth, engineered to accommodate large-scale hull and superstructure refinishing projects. The marina division complements these industrial services by providing extensive floating dockage for transient and long-term berthing. A key navigational advantage for the facility is its accessibility; the approach from Wassaw Sound is free of overhead height restrictions, allowing the marina to accommodate tall-masted sailing yachts and large motor vessels up to approximately 200 feet in length. To support the crews associated with these long-term refit projects, the company maintains dedicated on-site amenities, including fitness centers and lounges, creating a self-contained environment for maritime professionals.