Waves of activity
These boaters are ready to do some serious fishing as they approach Little Jim Bridge on the North Causeway in Fort PIerce. JOE DESALVO
Treasure Coast reflects boating industry’s growing economic impact
BY JOE DeSALVO
Impactful statistics and testimonials tell the story when it comes to the popularity and importance of recreational boating on the Treasure Coast.
“Recreational boating has gone through the roof,’’ says Justin Beard, the new executive director of Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast. “It really has.’’
NMMA president Frank Hugelmeyer says the latest economic analysis underscores the growth and demand the marine industry has experienced coming out of the pandemic.
First the statistics:
• In Florida’s 21st Congressional District, which includes St. Lucie and Martin counties and part of Palm Beach County, the economic impact increased from $1.3 billion in 2018 to $1.4 billion in 2023, with 5,890 jobs supported and 619 businesses supported. Florida’s 8th Congressional District, which includes Brevard and Indian River counties, had a $966.7 million annual economic impact, with 4,330 jobs supported and 272 businesses supported.
They also rev up Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, along with Beard.
• The NMMA announced in May new data which found the annual economic impact of recreational boating increased an impressive 36% from $170 billion in 2018 to $230 billion in 2023. Florida retained its top spot over California with a $31.3 billion annual economic impact and 991,240 boats registered — an increase of $8 billion and 55,498, respectively, from its last report in 2018.
As for sales of powerboats, sailboats and personal watercraft, the NMMA reported that the industry sold 261,000 new units and just over 1 million pre-owned in 2022. Sales projections for this year are 264,000 new, and 902,000 pre-owned.
Now the testimonials:
• “Recreational boating and fishing are a major economic engine in the U.S. and the latest economic analysis underscores the extraordinary growth and demand our industry has experienced coming out of the pandemic,” says Hugelmeyer. “The profound impact the past few years have had on our industry cannot be denied as we’ve seen Americans seek out boating and fishing in record numbers, driving significant economic output and supporting tens of thousands of small businesses and nearly a million jobs.”
• “Part of the reason why I took the job with Marine Industries was because of the opportunity here on the Treasure Coast,’’ says Beard, who took the job with MIATC after working as sales and marketing director for yacht renovation company Derecktor Fort Pierce. “With being part of the team that helped bring Derecktor on board, I’ve seen first-hand the industry at a very high level worldwide and then at a local level when you think about Fort Lauderdale and in South Florida. And to see the amount of interest that is in the Treasure Coast, this is going to be one of the next big booms for the marine industry. It’s going to be not just here in Fort Pierce, but in the whole Treasure Coast.
“Martin County for a long time has been the center of the marine industries,’’ Beard adds. “That’s why the Marine Industry Association was started there. There’s the Stuart show; there’s a lot more access to water; and a lot more registered voters in Martin County, so it makes sense. I mean, you’ve got Whiticar. You’ve got boat builders that have been in that area for a very long time. And you’ve got the Okeechobee Waterway. It’s a driving force for the area. The economic impact is an incredible number and it’s only going to grow.’’
From 2017-2022, Maverick Boat Group and Pursuit Boats added 597 workers, like this one shown on the job at Pursuit Boats, to their St. Lucie County manufacturing companies, with continued expansion expected. PURSUIT
Pete Tesch, president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, points to growth and expansion by major players in the marine industry as factors fueling the economic impact.
• Pete Tesch, president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, points to growth and expansion by major players in the marine industry as factors fueling the impact.
“The marine industries are among the most important industry sectors we have in St. Lucie County,’’ Tesch says. “We are the home base for some of the most well-known names in recreational boat manufacturing — Pursuit Boats, Maverick’s sport fishing lines, Contender Boats and Twin Vee — all of which are seeing exponential growth.
“Between 2017 and 2022, Maverick and Pursuit added 597 jobs and both boatbuilders are still expanding,’’ Tesch says. “Contender opened its facility here last year and had already hired on 84 employees out of a projected 200 by the end of 2022. Twin Vee received approval in April to expand its manufacturing facilities by more than 27,000 square feet.”
Tesch adds that service and tourism segments of the marine industry in St. Lucie County are also contributing as positive factors.
“Companies like Derecktor Fort Pierce and Shearwater Boatyard that provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services add incredible value to our local economy,’’ he says. “And that doesn’t even include the positive economic impact of our marinas, tourism, services like the Freedom Boat Club, and retail sales.’’
These aforementioned companies and the marine community in general have a new champion in Beard.
Sources: 1) NMMA 2023 Economic Impact Study. 2) NMMA 2021 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract.
Justin Beard, named executive director of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast in February, foresees tremendous growth for those businesses involved in recreational boating in this part of the state. JOE DESALVO
ENHANCED ROLE OF MIATC
Established in 1974, the non-profit MIATC keeps the public informed on important marine-related issues across the Treasure Coast by promoting boater safety; supporting workforce readiness within the marine industry; advocating for clean waterways, navigable passageways and ocean access; and promoting policies supporting maritime interests. MIATC members range from family-run businesses and specialized tradespeople to yacht brokers and megayacht shipyards, which collectively make the Treasure Coast an ideal destination for boaters.
Beard has a strong grasp of the issues impacting some of the largest marine companies in the world. He spent more than three years at Derecktor, introducing Fort Pierce and the surrounding communities to the global yachting industry.
His previous extended experience of working for the United Way of Martin County [seven years] and Mile High United Way in Denver [three years] sharpened his skills organizing and executing large-scale information, influence and fund-raising campaigns.
Beard, who grew up in Vero Beach as a surfer and boater, is excited by the industry’s continued upward trajectory.
One of Beard’s goals is to grow membership and enhance value for MIATC members.
There are currently 130 members, but Beard says he’s been able to bring in 10 new members since coming on board.
“Reading an economic report like this, I don’t really care who you are, if you’re a sound businessperson, you’ll look at that [report] and say, ‘Wow! Look at all the opportunity we have on the Treasure Coast to grow this industry.’”
Beard also wants to be an effective advocate for MIATC’s members.
“We want our members and their voices represented and we want to advocate for priority issues like for instance, what’s going on right now in Stuart with the FEC railroad bridge and how Brightline will be coming across it,’’ Beard said. “By increasing the usage of the bridge, it’s going to have a severe impact on marine traffic through the Okeechobee Waterway and St. Lucie River.
“So, it’s very important for our members that are on both sides of that bridge that they have their voices heard when it comes to defining the regulations when the Coast Guard defines what the regulations could be because whatever they decide is something that we’re going to have to live with for a very long time.’’
Planning is well underway for the 50th annual Stuart Boat Show, set for Jan. 12-14. The MIATC’s largest fundraiser is held on land and water on NW Dixie Highway and along the St. Lucie River. BRANDON FERRIS/ALLSPORTS PRODUCTIONS
STUART SHOW HITTING 50
Beard is multitasking, also focusing on the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Stuart Boat Show. The MIATC’s largest fundraiser is set for Jan. 12-14, and will be produced by Allsports Productions for the 36th year. The highly regarded show is held on land and in water north of downtown Stuart on NW Dixie Highway and along the St. Lucie River.
The largest boat show on Florida’s Treasure Coast features more than 205 local, national and international exhibitors. Many boat brands are represented at the show, including the latest models of motor yachts, cruisers, center consoles, speedboats, sport fishing boats, and pontoons ranging in size from 12 feet to more than 90 feet in length.
Additional exhibits will include the latest in personal watercraft, marine electronics, outboard and inboard engines, safety equipment, accessories, boat lifts, fishing gear, nautical clothing and jewelry, as well as financing and insurance companies. Plenty of music, delicious food and drinks add to the festivities.
“Just partnering with Allsports Productions has been amazing,” Beard says. “Mike Allen and Skip Allen and their team have done an amazing job running the show. They bring in the infrastructure; they manage the vendors. The Marine Industries and Allsports are very invested in the success of that show because it’s the lifeblood for both of our organizations.
“We’re thankful for the city of Stuart and Martin County for working with us on this one,’’ Beard says. “We’re looking at some potential changes in the site plan that we’ll make for a slightly different show, but it’s going to be a great show.’’
Brian Cunningham is proud that Vero Marine Center, located on Royal Palm Pointe for 65 years, has been a Grady-White dealer for 42 years and has sold Yamaha engines for 40 years. JOE DESALVO
WEATHERING PANDEMIC JUST FINE
Among the many Treasure Coast dealers planning to return to the Stuart Boat Show is Vero Marine Center. Under the current ownership of Brian Cunningham and Boo MacIntyre, the full-service marina is now in its 65th year at its 12 Royal Palm Pointe location.
Vero Marine Center has been an authorized Grady-White dealer for 42 years and Yamaha engines for 40 years. The “new kid on the block’’ is Robalo boats, which came on eight years ago.
Business both in sales and service has been good, says Cunningham, whose customer base ranges from Cocoa to Stuart. The exponential growth of boating during the COVID-19 pandemic is still being felt.
“I think in general what happened during COVID is a lot of people got introduced to boating and they said, ‘Hey, this is a fun lifestyle and I never did this before,’” the New Jersey native says. “We’ve had customers who purchased boats from us in the last 30 days who have made a point of saying to us, ‘I don’t know why we didn’t do this sooner.’
And so, there’s a silver lining to every dark cloud — the dark cloud being COVID in this case and silver lining being new people were brought into the lifestyle, into the industry.
“I think in the long run, we in Florida enjoy being one of the best states in the U.S. to be in this business or to be in this lifestyle,” says Cunningham, who’s been at Vero Marine Center for 35 years.
Mark Castlow, president of Dragonfly Boatworks in Vero Beach, stands next to the popular DGB 15 skiff, which, in this case, is being completed as a tender for a yacht. JOE DESALVO
Mark Castlow is another veteran of the marine industry who has enjoyed the business and lifestyle for five decades, starting in 1974 when he opened Atlantis surf shop in Fort Pierce.
An original owner of Maverick and Hewes fishing boats, Castlow, 71, founded Dragonfly Boatworks in Vero Beach 16 years ago. The 33,000-square-foot facility is located at 3435 Aviation Blvd., across from Vero Beach Regional Airport, and specializes in custom skiffs, yacht tenders and paddleboards.
“We have 17 people,’’ the Miami native says. “We build anything from a 10-foot paddle board to a 23-foot custom design boat [the Spanish Wells Classic].
“Our niche is not that we have a specific kind of client that comes in and orders a boat,’’ Castlow says. “It’s kind of like getting a suit tailored. We don’t really get a lot of entry-level boaters, which is nice.’’
A custom boat from Dragonfly Boatworks usually takes around 40 weeks to complete.
“Our customer has had a lot of boats throughout their career,’’ Castlow says, adding that 75% of his customers are from out of town. “We do a lot of tenders for bigger sportfish boats. So, the challenge we faced during that [pandemic] time frame was the typical ones that you read about — shortages in outboard motors, component parts, things like that.’’
Has availability improved?
“Yeah, it’s gotten better,’’ Castlow says. “It’s not 100%, that’s for sure, and I don’t think it will ever be 100%.’’
What did Castlow learn from dealing with the pandemic?
“I think COVID taught us to be more creative in how we respond to these kinds of things versus just sticking your head in the sand and letting it go by — ‘Well, everything will be OK,’” Castlow says. “Well, you know it might not be OK. So, you have to have a survival instinct, which I think our company does have. You have to adapt.’’
Looking at the NMMA’s latest impact reports, the Treasure Coast marine industry has done just that and very well.
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