CSR Marine is relocating its Magnolia-based boat yard across the water to the old Seaview Yard on Shilshole Avenue in Ballard.

Co-owner Scott Anderson said the lease for their current yard on Commodore Way ends August 30th and they hope to have fully relocated by August 25th.

The new four-acre location offers more space, big indoor facilities, a better location and better storm water drainage, said Anderson.

"It will offer better visibility for us and for the industry. I'm hoping to make it into a maritime center by cleaning it up and bringing in other guys as well," he said.

Anderson said the Ballard community has been very welcoming and friendly about their relocation to Ballard and that he's excited to be there.

The new location has a lot to offer but that doesn't mean that the relocation comes without its concerns.

"We're going to have to make 20 percent more income to break even," Anderson said.

CSR Marine is the biggest boat yard in the Interlake system and has been around for 35 years.

To move a boatyard their size is not an easy task but on Wednesday morning, they got a good start with the help of Fremont Tugboats and a Foss 300 steam-powered barge.

Powered by steam and fired with diesel oil, the barge can lift up to 75 tons. The barge was enlisted to transport a 25 ton boat mover (called a "Travelift) across the bay.

Dangling 60 feet above the water, the Travelift was one of the first machines to be transported to the other side. More equipment and even two buildings will be transported in a similar manner.

The barge allows CSR Marine to bypass the Ballard Bridge and the use of a truck while saving him time and money, said Anderson.

"It's easier than taking everything apart and putting it on a truck. It's convenient and saves us a lot of money," Anderson said. "Plus, it's cool."

Reminiscent of simpler times, the steam-powered boat let out a whistle as it pulled away from the dock to make the one-mile trek across the water to Shilshole Avenue.

CSR will start operating from its new Ballard location by the end of this month.