
9/2/25 Grand opening at 971 Harkers Island Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516


WELCOME
Welcome to Shackleford Outboards, the area’s full-line Honda Marine outboard dealer and authorized service center, proudly serving the community since 2021.
While we specialize in Honda outboards, we also provide comprehensive service and maintenance for Evinrude, Johnson, Yamaha, and Suzuki engines.
We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our services, our team, and our commitment to supporting the outboard boating community.



Sorry such a long post but if you want a honest and very reasonable boat mechanic please take time to read. I have to say publicly hands down this is one of the most honest, and over accommodating marina mechanic shop I've ever dealt with. I came on vacation from Boone NC with my boat on a vacation that was 3 years in the making. Upon getting there on the second day I started to have engine trouble with a 30 ish year old outboard Johnson. I called seeking help and they said no problem come by and we will help. They found I had bad battery cables. I asked did they know were I could get a set made which they replied we can right know. David and his assistant stopped what they were working on and in a matter of maybe 1 hour had both old cables pulled out of the boat and new ones put in ( very reasonable price by the way ). On may next day out the starter went bad so I called and Mrs. Mary and asked for help and she said I'm sure we can help , she asked David. They said cause it was late in the day I wouldnt get new starter until the day after next. Well the next morning Mrs. Mary called me at 8 am and said your starter showed up this morning so I ran over and picked it up with out a crazy mark up like almost any other shops would have charged. David said you might at some point need new solenoid, but I could get at auto shop. So I went and got one which they gave me wrong one and come to find out they couldn't get. So I called Mrs. Mary again and she said no problem David could find which they did and it was about 4 o'clock but Mrs. Mary offered that she had to run out on personal aaron but didn't mind running and picking up while she was out. She did get it for me and as I said earlier there wasn't any crazy mark up which should have been extra cause they were doing this on there personal time. Got boat back up and running and out me and my wife went. That next day the boat had no get up out of the water so I called them again which was late Friday and they were closed on weekends but David said bring over Saturday will be around the house and you can drop it off. Once getting there David was very honest and said I'm not real confident that at this point being the motor is so old if it's worth saving and putting more money in. So it was close to end of vacation so we left the boat with them. A couple days later in the following week David called and said I'm amazed but your motor is running smooth and thinks there's a lot of life left. This was after I had talked with David and prices for me what a new re power would cost. In all reality he could have said your motor is no good which then would have been a re power but cause their honest people David fixed my old motor. Did leak down test, compression test, changed few coil packs , automatic choke, ground on engine , fix couple other electrical problems , new plug wires , plugs, bad wire to ignition switch, adjusted timing, adjusted Idle , adjusted all four carbs as well few other things. Their pricing is by far bar none better and quality then any boat mechanic I've every found in my 52 years boating. Honset , fast , helpful and pricing more than fair. Please if you need work done YOU NEED TO CHECK THEM OUT!! They have my business for life. I'll drive from Boone NC anytime my boat needs work and that's the truth. May God continue to bless them and their business! Mike Register Boone NC.
M R. - Facebook
Professional and courteous I had the honor of meeting David and McCoy while doing a pre-buy motor and electrical inspection on my vessel. Prompt and friendly and very knowledgeable. Thank you David and McCoy looking forward to conducting more business with you!
A.D. - Google review
First time entrusting anyone with our boat and I was nervous after reading lots of reviews of many other local mechanics. David and Mary happily answered all my questions and excused my ignorance :) Very kind and honest people and did great work. So grateful to know we have people we know we can trust in the future! Very pleased!
M.T. - Google review
These guys are the best! Fast friendly service. They are really great at trouble shooting and figuring out the problem. Very fair pricing. David even fixed my trailer with new springs and bearings. Give them a try, you will be glad you did!!!!
A.J. - Google Review

GET TO KNOW US
Shackleford Outboards was established in 2021 when Portside Marina changed ownership and elected to close its in-house service department. David, who had served as Portside’s service manager for many years, was offered the opportunity—along with Mary—to purchase the service division, including the Honda and BRP accounts and existing inventory. Recognizing the potential, they launched Shackleford Outboards while still working their regular jobs. Within a year, David transitioned to the business full time, and Mary joined him shortly afterward. David and Mary have been together since 1995 and married since 1997. Lifelong residents of Carteret County, they have three adult children, one grandchild, and a household full of pets. David brings extensive technical and mechanical experience, having grown up in the automotive world and later serving in local law enforcement before medically retiring. Throughout his career he continued to advance his marine expertise, earning certifications with Honda, BRP/Evinrude, Suzuki, and Yamaha. He is also a North Carolina Public Notary. His hands-on, self-taught approach and wide-ranging skill set shaped the foundation of Shackleford Outboards. Mary, a longtime Beaufort resident, spent years balancing family life, part-time work, and later full-time roles in local businesses before joining Shackleford Outboards. Her versatility—ranging from administrative work to mechanical assistance—makes her an integral part of daily operations. She is also a North Carolina Public Notary. Together, David and Mary are committed to “under-promise and over-deliver.” They continue to expand their knowledge and skills to provide reliable, high-quality service in all areas of outboard maintenance and repair.




