Notice is given that Canaveral, WP Franklin, Ortona, Moore Haven, Port Mayaca and St Lucie Locks will have scheduled 4 hour closures 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 12-4 p.m. at locations and dates listed below to support annual maintenance to the Manatee Protection System.
Sarasota, Florida – SaraBay Marina, one of Sarasota’s most prominent marinas, has announced they are expanding with a new Sales, Service, Parts and Storage facility in Naples, Florida.
SaraBay-Naples will be located just south of Naples’ iconic ‘Tin City’ at 3470 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL 34112 (formerly Gulf Shores Marina). SaraBay-Naples will be offering New & Used Boat Sales, Factory Authorized Service and Repairs, a fully stocked Parts Department and Dry Rack Storage.
Read more “SaraBay Marina to Open Second Location in Naples”
By Ken Stead, General Manager, Cape Haze Marina
So you have decided that trailering your boat is no longer how you want to get your boat out on the water and you’ve selected a marina with inside or outside storage, and a forklift to launch your boat. Your boat is now going to get washed down and the engine(s) flushed, a great way to help keep her in shipshape.
Here are some tips to maximize your marina experience.
Always try to give the marina as much advance notice as possible when scheduling your boat launch. Showing up without a phone call requesting a launch can play havoc with everyone’s schedule – the marina’s and other boaters. An hour is typical, but each marina is different. Realize if you don’t call, there could be four or five boats ahead of you for launch.
Arrive on time or let the marina know when you are running late. On busy days there can be limited room in the launch area and a couple of boats sitting for an extra hour can really clog up the basin.
Be sure the marina has a set of keys or that you keep a key in the boat. Comes in handy when we need to move it, or when you forget your set!
Take advantage of all of the marina’s services. For instance we will fill your boat with fuel, put ice and beverages in your cooler, test run your boat, etc. to make your day on the water hassle free and enjoyable. Most marinas provide some if not all of these services and I recommend that you use them. Nobody likes to show up and find a dead battery for instance. While we will loan you a new one to get out going, your still going to be waiting while we swap it out.
Speaking of test runs, if you haven’t used your boat in month’s, call a week in advance and request a “back in service” check to see if your boat needs any mechanical attention before you arrive for a day on the water. This is particularly important if you didn’t have it “layed up” or “summarized” before it’s extended period of inactivity. We offer to run your boat on a monthly basis if you know you are not going to be using it for an extended period, this is the best way to keep all your systems operational.
With over 30 years of Marine Industry experience, Ken is always happy to answer your questions. Email him at [email protected].
Gasparilla Marina is one of South West Florida’s finest deepwater marinas with a storage capacity of 1000+ boats.
We offer traditional wet and dry storage or storage in our 2-acre fully enclosed facility, protecting your vessel from the elements. With 5 forklifts having up to a 42,000 lb capacity and 2 travel lifts handling up to 70-tons we can store and service most any size vessel.
Other amenities include 24 hour security, on-site sales and service, fuel dock, bait shop, ships store, showers, laundry facilities and boat rentals.
If you’re looking for a daytrip our onsite restaurant, Waterside Bar and Grill is the perfect location offering indoor and outdoor seating, entertainment, daily food and drink specials. Maybe you’d like to dock at the marina overnight, no worries our restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6:30 am to 11 PM daily.
Thousands of boaters from all over Florida have discovered the relaxed atmosphere and quality service at Gasparilla Marina. Since we are located directly on a deep water channel just off Boca Grande, you avoid those frustrating no-wake zones. Customers enjoy easy, high speed access to Charlotte Harbor, the Intercoastal Waterway, the world famous Boca Grande Pass, and everything that lies beyond.
Gasparilla Marina is a first class, full service marina just minutes from the intercoastal, Gulf of Mexico and world famous Boca Grande Pass. Stop by and ask for a tour!