New Marine Travelift Helps Expand Business For Coral Bay Marina
Marine Travelift Inc. announced that Coral Bay Marina in Islamorada, FL, purchased a new 75 BFM II mobile boat hoist. This marks the company’s third purchase of a Marine Travelift lifting solution, and already, Coral Bay is reporting a significant increase in operational efficiencies, and substantial business expansion.
Founded on the island’s bay side in 1983, Coral Bay is a full-service marina and boatyard offering haul-out, pressure-spraying, bottom-painting, repairs, long and short-term dry storage, 30-plus slips for transient and live-aboard customers, and amenities that include cable TV, WiFi, restrooms and showers. With the new 75 BFM II, Coral Bay now can accommodate vessels up to 65 feet long and 19 feet wide.
According to Walter “Buddy” Collins, who purchased Coral Bay Marina with his late father, Walter Sr., the family owned company’s ongoing relationship with Marine Travelift has been critical to Coral Bay’s growth. Coral Bay purchased its first mobile boat hoist in 1987.
“Our haul-out capabilities at the time were an old elevator lift and a converted, closed end boxcar lift, Collins recalled. “Our first Marine Travelift mobile boat hoist was a used 1976 60-ton machine, which enabled us to expand and increase operations….”
The pleasant surprise was the available supply of parts and support from Marine Travelift. As the business continued to expand, however, the need for an even larger machine became apparent, so Coral Bay selected the new 75 BFM II.
“Over the years, we’ve noticed Marine Travelift keeps innovating with its designs while incorporating the latest technologies,” Collins said. “This machine, like our prior machines, has been crucial to expanding our operations. And the customer support, dealer network and parts supply has, as always, exceeded our expectations.”
