Clearwater boat company acquires Florida Keys marina

Clearwater boating giant MarineMax has announced the acquisition of a marina in the Florida Keys, Shelter Bay Marine. The property, a full-service marina and storage facility in Marathon, will join the 65 marinas owned by the company, which bills itself as the world’s largest recreational boat, yacht and superyacht services company. 

“The acquisition of Shelter Bay aligns seamlessly with our strategy of acquiring higher-margin businesses that complement other parts of our business and create valuable synergies,” says Brett McGill, CEO and president of MarineMax in a statement. “Geographically, Shelter Bay strengthens our presence in the Middle Keys, building on our growing Ocean Reef and Islamorada locations. The Shelter Bay team has a strong reputation for service excellence that blends well with our culture. In addition, the marina provides another outlet for our premium brands, enhancing the customer experience through greater convenience and expanded access to our offerings.”

Shelter Bay Marine is located on the Atlantic side of the island near mile marker 54.2. It offers unrestricted, direct ocean access with no bridge height limitations according to the release. Additionally, it can store up to 175 boats. 

MarineMax is a $2.4 billion company founded by Bill McGill. It was 120 locations worldwide, including over 70 dealerships and 65 marina and storage facilities. It was founded in Clearwater in 1998