Increased Recreational Demands Spur Change

In the last 18 months, sales of watercraft and motorhomes have skyrocketed.  Many believe the increase in numbers are a direct result of the pandemic which swept through the nation and resulted in Americans seeking an outlet for travel and recreation.

It would make sense, then, that the demand for access to amenities from which to enjoy or store some of those recreational vehicles and watercraft would also increase. The RV industry has seen an almost 20% rise in sales over the previous time period. They also have seen a similar rise in demand for updated or new RV facilities and destinations.

The marine industry has seen an even larger demand for its products, and a subsequent increase in demand for marinas, marine storage and amenities within those facilities.

Marco Island has not been oblivious to those demands. More requests for RV garages as part of the specifications for new homes, as well as a marketplace for what some have referred to as “toy barns” for RV’s and other vehicles, is seeing more interest each month. The city has even seen a number of requests for “nautical garages” as part of the plans for newly constructed homes.

A project recently has been completed off Windward Drive which will accommodate inside air-conditioned storage for vehicles, including large vehicles such as motorhomes. They almost immediately were sold out as the demand was high. Similar construction off the island between Collier Boulevard and SR-92 on Highway 41 is also under construction and nearing completion.

The Marco Island Yacht Club earlier this year dusted off plans for an expansion of dockage at its facilities. The time was right for the expansion, especially for the larger craft which are in the 125-foot range. The project can be seen as you cross the Jolley Bridge coming onto the island.

Jim Walker, long-time resident and marine business entrepreneur, surprised many locals when he sold his sales and service operations from within the Walker Marine Group to the One Water Marine Group of Buford, GA.

In a separate business transaction, the Walker Marine Group sold three of its marinas to Port 32 Marinas, which is headquartered in Charleston, SC. Those three operational marinas are here in Marco Island, Naples and Cape Coral, and consist of about 1015 slips.

One Water Marine Group also has announced reaching an agreement with Phil Osborne, owner of Naples Boat Mart on Airport-Pulling Road. That dealership has been in the Osborne family for three generations and will help to further solidify One Water Marine’s presence within the sales and service market of Southwest Florida.

For more information regarding additional transactions and business news such as this, visit www.coastbreezenews.com or pick up our weekly edition which comes out every Thursday and can be found around Marco Island, Goodland, Isles of Capri, East Naples and Everglades City.