On Schedule!

Construction of the new storage facilities is on schedule and we are looking forward to our Grand Opening in early June. In Nov/Dec the building has been nearly completely framed and about 1/3 of the siding is now up. Over Christmas and New Year’s the precast concrete slabs were laid on the second floor. Most of the rebar is in place for the launch area pad and we anticipate the pad will be poured in the first week of January. New photos are up on the website including a flyover photo shown here that was taken In early November. http://www.snookbightmarina.com/marina_construction_timeline.asp

 Snook Bight Marina Appointed Dealer For Evinrude/Johnson

We’re now a full dealer for Evinrude and Johnson outboards. The new E-Tech is setting a new standard for performance and we’re now the place for your re-power job. Talk to Larry Philips, Service manager, to learn the advantages of E-Tech and how easy and economical it is to re-power.

Down Home Country Boil

Just before Christmas the marina staff and wet slip customers enjoyed a fun get together on the aislway of the new storage building. Larry Sincoskie and Diane (mostly Diane) put on a great party for all with plenty of Country Boil, drinks and sweets. The highlight of the night was the Christmas Chinese Gift Exchange. Everyone got a present. In this Chinese Exchange once a gift is opened it is subject  to be taken away by the next person in the draw. Good fun was had with this. The most coveted and traded gift was a $25.00 gift certificate to Best Buy. Originally picked by Brianna (Tony’s daughter),  Claudia’s son (aboard Anejo) claimed it when his time came. Then Dave Tether’s chance came and he claimed it. At this stage Brianna was very sad and, in the spirit of the season, Dave returned the Best Buy certificate to Brianna. By the end of the night Brianna walked away with an armful of gifts from the Santa crowd.


Plenty of food and drink kept everyone busy         Brianna is happy with her Best Buy Certificate

Golden Snook Award

The Annual Staff Christmas Party was held this year at The Bahama Breeze in Ft Myers. Staff and their spouses enjoyed a wonderful night of food and camaraderie hosted by Joe Yerkes and Billy Gleeson. Billy, one of the three partners in ownership with his brother Peter and Joe, was over from Ireland to personally present the first Annual Golden Snook Award to Tony Blackwell as the outstanding employee of the year. Tony joined us in 2004 shortly after we bought the property and has been a loyal and committed employee who generates consistently high praise from our customers and exemplifies the spirit of our Platinum Concierge Service ethos. Congratulations! Tony lives with his partner Nancy and their two children right here on the Beach next door to the marina.

People On The Go

We were happy to have our friends and new Members, John and Jaquelyn Flor, stop in to visit for a couple of days on their new Mainship Pilot 34. Eufloria will reside in the new Dry Storage building once it is open in June.

George and Nancy Murphy on Jenna Star, a 34 American Tug, were her for their annual visit in November. On their way to the Bahamas this year where they will meet up with friends, they are always welcome visitors to Snook Bight. Safe travels Folks.
As George and Nancy were leaving our good friends Joe and Sigi Rogali were arriving on Sigi VII, also an American Tug 34.

 

Pictured here at the Christmas Party, this is probably the only time they have been spotted without their seemingly permanent smiles. Joe and Sigi have been coming to the marina for 7 seasons and recently traded their sailing lifestyle for the American Tug. Soon they will be on their way to the Abacos and will meet up with George and Nancy.

The Woityneks arrived back from Germany for several weeks and Werner enjoyed good days on the water In their Formula 28. The Woityneks were the first purchasers of a dry storage unit gaining them the honor of Charter Member.

Gary and Jennifer Schmidt have returned for the season and will be enjoying many happy days on their two wave runners and Holy Schmidt, their 27’ Rinker. Gary and Jennifer have been customers for many years and it’s great to have them back.

On their ‘round the world cruise, Neville and Katherine Hockley are in the marina while making repairs and getting ready for the next leg which will take them to the Southwestern Caribbean on their 37’ Cabo Rica, Dream Time. From there they will travel North through the Eastern Caribbean to the Bahamas. They’re living the dream!  Sponsored by Panasonic, we can follow them on their travels at their website which is www.zeroxte.com

 

Neville pictured here at one of his finer moments

Everyone at the marina is looking forward to the return of our dearest friends, the McCloskey’s.  Jack has had a tough year battling Cancer and back surgery but is on the mend and will soon be back on the water. Peg and Jack have been such wonderful friends and loyal customers and all the staff are sure looking forward to having them back and to the occasional picnic lunch provided by them. (especially the brownies)

Snook Bight on TV

In November we began our TV and Newspaper campaign with two page ads in all of the area newspapers and TV on the local channels and all of the cable fishing channels. Featuring our Platinum Concierge Service plans for the new operation opening in June, everyone seems to be talking about us. “Bob” continues to feature on our radio series which is currently up to seven 60 second ads. You can hear the latest on Bob’s exploits on WAVV 101.1 throughout the day.

Bob’s Back!

Bob Barys, who our regulars know well has been with us off and on for 3 years, has returned as dockhand. Bob is our very accomplished forklift operator and known for his easy going but very conscientious way about the marina. His most recent absence was so that he could try out life in the islands. After several months in the BVIs I guess life on the rock is a bit too restrictive for this young guy. On his return Bob spent several months visiting his parents in the frigid Northeast and now is back on the team. Will he stay permanently this time? We sure hope so. (pssst – send in your letters of encouragement to get him to stay on)

We’re Still Open

It’s been a challenge to keep the marina facilities operating through the construction! In spite of all the inconveniences and difficulties the staff  have performed excellently and business is way up over last year in our Service Department and Boat Rentals. In fact, this year between Christmas and New Year’s we doubled the rental boat business.

Larry Philips and his Tech Team have been very busy and service orders continue to grow double digits each month. Our techs are certified for Yamaha, Volvo Penta, Evinrude/Johnson and Larry is, himself, a qualified diesel mechanic. Our Parts Department is well stocked and, if we don’t have it, we can get it within 24 hours. In fact, order it in the morning and we’ll have it by 4PM same day!

2008 What A Year!

We’re all so excited about this new year we’re about to begin. With the upcoming grand opening of the new marina facilities and Bayfront Bistro, arrival of the new 52,000 lb. forklift truck, new wet slips and the launch of our Platinum Concierge Service, 2008 is stacked up to be an exciting year. We look forward to seeing all of you here at the marina and please don’t forget to come by our booth at either the Naples Boat Show or the Ft Myers Spring Boat Show.