Ft. Lauderdale emerged decades ago as the center of a burgeoning global yachting industry. While the modern industry has outgrown Ft. Lauderdale in some ways, many of the mom-and-pop business owners who are experts at taking care of boats are still there. You can find them behind Lester's.

For every captain and crew member charged with taking care of a yacht, that address "behind Lester's" is as chic as any on 17th Street Causeway.

In a 10-block grid behind the nearly 40-year-old diner on State Road 84, crew can find everything from paint brushes and blue tape to flags, welders and a side of beef.

"If there's an axel in the marine industry, this is where it is," said Ed Brillinger, a business owner behind Lester's for more than 20 years. "Everything goes out from here. This is where it all happens."

Just what is behind Lester's? A drive-by revealed no fewer than 88 businesses immediately identifiable as directly related to the large yacht industry, offering equipment, parts, service, repairs and support. There are at least a dozen engines shops, 10 welders, nine carpenters, and six canvas shops.

And, of course, some of the largest and oldest businesses in town are there, including National Marine Suppliers, Rich Beers Marine and Lewis Marine Supply.

Although there was great enthusiasm from each of the business owners I encountered, nearly all my interviews were tempered with strong comments concerning the future of the small businesses behind Lester's. The No. 1 concern was increasing taxes.

"We saw a large property tax increase in '05 that is based on artificially raised values," said Valerie Govan, wife of Don Govan of Spurs. "This is unfair. There should not be a penalty for small businesses to operate in Broward County."

"What is happening today is changing this entire industry," said Greg Lillenthal, owner of Bomac Marine Power behind Lester's for 19 years. "My property taxes and insurance have gone through the roof."

Some said that if they don't get some tax relief, they will not be able to stay in business.

Still, business owners and employees love the yachting industry. As I slowed down to talk to some of them, I was amazed at the variety of skills and wealth of knowledge.

At each place, I asked for referrals to another expert in their field and in most cases, these business owners recommended each other, which just goes to show that in addition to the skills you can hire back there, there's a wealth of history and connections that come at no charge.

Tropic Machine Products

The muscle of the yachting industry in terms of metal has got to be Tropic Machine Products. Kevin Mundelius has been grinding metal for 17 years. His five employees are uniquely talented with "heavy metal" machines. Need a huge scissor? Tropic can cut three-quarter-inch steel plates 12 feet long.

"You don't get anything, anywhere like behind Lester's," Mundelius said.

Especially at Tropic. It has 200-ton press breaks, the world's finest Bridgeport CNC machines, lathes that can handle 5-foot diameter, 10-foot long chunks of titanium. He can turn pistons for 150,000 hp diesel engines on 1,200-foot container ships.

"I once stood in the cylinder of an operating 12-cylinder engine at sea while removing the piston, and brought it to my shop for repairs," he said. "I can also create custom parts; just one or two is no problem for my guys. A chief engineer or captain can bring in any oddball item that is old and virtually unknown and we can replicate it down to one-thousandth of a millimeter. I love challenges. Bring it on and my guts will build it."

Find them at 217 S.W. 29th St. or at 954-779-7038.

National Marine Suppliers

Think you've never been behind Lester's? Think again. If you've attended the huge crew party at National Marine Suppliers every October, you've been there. With 72 employees and warehouse space for all sorts of provisions, National takes up nearly an entire shortened block between 2nd Avenue and the railroad tracks.

"My entire crew is comprised of ex-yacht crew members," said owner Dean du Toit, National's owner. "They pass on knowledge and direction of every facet of the yachting industry. Captains demand the utmost reliability in deliveries whether here in Ft. Lauderdale or half a world away. My team's in house knowledge is unbelievable."

Du Toit started National 18 years ago selling Spot Free water filters out of the trunk of his white Cadillac.

Find them at 2800 S.W. 2nd Ave., 954-764-0975 or www.natlmarine.com.
Spurs

There's rocket science behind Lester's.

Don Govan has been creating the sharpest cutting edges known to man for installation on prop shafts and thrusters for 25 years, doing it all behind Lester's. Spurs is a world leader in this technology. Employing 15, Spurs are not only installed on "white boats" but on cruise ships, U.S. Navy vessels, the entire Japanese fishing fleet and virtually all container ships.

Govan's 3-D CAD programming and state-of-the-art metal cutters use electronic quality control that is accurate to a millionth of a millimeter. Pablo Sosa is the computer guru behind Spurs' remarkable accuracy. Stop in for an in-depth look at how he creates magic with metal.

Find them at 201 S.W. 33rd St., 954-463-2707 or www.spursmarine.com.

Bravo Delta Engineering

For years I have noticed that the finest yachts have an outstandingly well-designed panel on the bridge that has an outline of the ship with lights that show which water-tight doors are open, which navigation lights are on (or not functioning), which pumps may be running, etc. I never could find just who was behind these unique designs. I was flabbergasted to find the creator of these treasures in Ft. Lauderdale and where else, but behind Lester's.

Bravo Delta Engineering is owned by a quiet, most unassuming gentleman, Doug Mitchell. His electrical engineering degree has provided him with the skills to design highly sophisticated custom control and safety panels.

"I have been at this for eight years now," he said. "Feadships are my specialty. My designs are sold to Simon Data Acquisition the name on the panels and they in turn are owned by Palladian Technologies. With my software program, I can take any yacht designer's concept or captain's desire and turn it into a functional, yet beautiful work of art."

Find him at 260 S.W. 32nd Ct., 954-524-2298 or www.bravodeltaeng.com .

Nance & Underwood

Rodger Underwood and Robert Nance operate a rigging shop that is world class. Nance & Underwood have been creating yacht rigging, sail repairs, sail conversions, dock lines, towing bridles and more since 1988. A Leisure Furl distributor, they offer swaging and rod rigging for the largest sailing yachts.

The staff of 16 can create an entire sail wardrobe; they represent the Max Sails loft in Stuart, Fla. How about dock lines that look utterly perfect with chaff guard sown in?

Find them at 262 S.W. 33rd St., 954-764-6001 or www.riggingandsails.com .

CJM's Custom Shop

Charlie MacDonald has been creating custom stainless steel and aluminum pieces since 1987 at his CJM's Custom Shop. With a personality larger than his 6-foot-4 frame, MacDonald is a powerhouse of energy, especially when it comes to working with stainless.

"You are doing a story about what is behind Lester's?" he asked as I drove up. "This is the heart of the yachting industry. We are what make the Ft. Lauderdale yachting scene possible."

MacDonald will go to any yacht, extract the component, and reproduce it in his shop.

"Custom fabrication is my game," he said.

MacDonald spent five years at Norseman Marine building sailing masts, goose neck fittings, pushpits and pulpits before starting this shop.

"I think of myself as creating yacht jewelry," he said. "Here, take a look at this barbecue. I created this from a hot water heater from a 1927 Trumpy."

Not many guys can combine their two passions of welding and barbecuing.

Find him at 3232 S.W. 2nd Ave. or 954-728-9542.

Yacht Woodworking Systems

With no fewer than nine carpenters and furniture shops behind Lester's, it was daunting to choose one for an interview. But so many people suggested Kevin Hanrahan of Yacht Woodworking Systems that I had to stop by.

"I grew up in Manhattan and learned my trade from Italian artisans who were passionate craftsman," he said. "I am a one-man band and pride myself in handling all aspects of an assignment."

Perusing a portfolio of Hanrahan's creations for Larry Ellison's M/Y Shogun was like viewing a book of art. If your boss has been grumbling about redecorating his stateroom, this is the place to start.

Find him at 3232 S.W. 2nd Ave., 954-763-9997.

C.L. Associates

"We stay at it," said Don Zane, owner of C.L. Associates, the Kobelt and Microphor gurus. "I have been here since 1988 working with Chuck Hornberger, and all the yards know they can rely on us for our engineering expertise when it comes to engine controls."

The guys do all the bells and whistles to customize any megayacht: digital, analog or pneumatic.

Not at all related to engine controls, Zane also specializes in Microphor yacht heads.

Need a rebuild kit for your head? Call Zane.

Find him at 260 S.W. 32nd Court, 954-525-9846.

Beaver-Brand Canvas

With more than 20,000 clients since 1987, "my temporary thing turned into forever," said Linda Schwartz of Beaver-Brand Canvas. "My three employees and I do exotic custom canvas projects. We prefer exterior projects; that is our real forte."

With the ability to bend stainless steel in-house, Schwartz and her staff guarantee a perfect fit for biminis and dodgers. She uses Sunbrella fabrics and Wevlon Regatta vinyl-coated fabrics.

"Word-of-mouth is how I have grown my business and let your readers know that we are ready for our next project."

Find her at 246 S.W. 33rd St. or 954-763-7423.

Seafarer Marine

When I asked people who else I should visit, every single person said, "Go see Bob Bagley of Seafarer." Since 1987, Bagley has maintained the largest inventory of veneers, hardwoods, teak, rare woods and all of the associated hardware required.

"We pride ourselves on good service," he said. "I am in a specialty niche that could not exist anywhere else. The yards depend on us for their decks, cabin soles and veneers."

Seafarer is a dealer for Teak Decking Systems, and its in-house vacuum bagging table is a great way to glue cabin soles.

"My real secret is Fred," Bagley said. "He knows more than all of us combined."

Fred spent 30 years as a yacht carpenter.

"My specialty is matching veneers with existing cabin décor. I am the job estimator and planner here at Seafarer. After a lifetime, I pretty much know what any given exotic project will take."

Find them at 3100 S.W. 3rd Ave., 954-763-4263 or www.seafarermarine.com.

Bomac Marine Power

Had a gut full of living with the absurdity of a generator without a sound shield? Greg Lillenthal's Bomac Marine Power produces outstanding sound shields. For 19 years he has created fuel, water and holding tanks along with bending stainless steel pipes for megayachts' custom installations as well as custom fixed dock steps. Selling Phasor Marine Generators and building custom Ford-powered generators (including supplying 60 to the Mexican Navy) has kept Greg and his three employees busy.

But Lillenthal is looking to cruise ships for the future of his business because he's not confident that yachts will keep coming to Ft. Lauderdale. Increases in taxes and dockage rates have steered many of his clients to points north, including Savannah.

"I am focusing on the cruise ship business and their exhaust repairs," he said. "With this full metal shop, I can do anything."

Find him at 271 S.W. 33rd St. or 954-766-2625.

These businesses are only a handful of what lies behind Lester's. Feel free to send us news about any others that you do business with. Contact Editor Lucy Reed at lucy@the-triton.com . Contact Capt. David Hare at david@hare.com .