As one boat dealer put it succinctly, “Boating is going nuts!”
There are a lot of reasons. The Covid pandemic cooped everyone up, and a boat is arguably the best getaway to safely enjoy family and friends while escaping the stresses of land with fun (and adventures) on the water. The National Marine Manufacturers Association notes that sales are up for the second straight year, and boating remains the leading outdoor recreation for the U.S. in 2021.
Tampa Bay (and the nearby Gulf) is revered as the crown jewel for Florida anglers because there are more than 200 species of fish, while sailors love the breeze on the Bay and power boaters can find smooth waters for skiing or towing water toys. Cruise the waterfront bistros with friends or simply hang out on uncrowded, boat-only beaches.
Get on the water with these offerings from Tampa Bay dealers and builders.
About: Balancing speed and finesse, the new 2023 HCB 42’ LUJO is ideal for anglers, divers and family outings. The redesigned deep-V hull slices easily through offshore swells, providing a soft and dry ride.
With a redesigned helm, skipper and guests enjoy three high-backed swivel seats for a comfortable ride, and a second row of seating is for more guests under the fiberglass hardtop.
Anglers will enjoy the many amenities, from the large in-floor fish boxes to the built-in live bait wells, the dedicated bait prep area and tackle storage. Multiple removable coolers can be used for stowage, as well as icing down drinks.
Forward, a bow table rises electrically from the floor and it can be converted to a sunpad. The forward lounger with elbow rests against the console is oversized.
With triple or quad Yamaha outboards to 600-horsepower each, the 2023 HCB 42’ LUJO can cruise easily at 50 knots and the new 614-gallon tank stretches the range for all-day or offshore outings.
The 2023 HCB 42’ LUJO has the largest cabin ever seen in the 42’ category, with a convertible berth for overnighting. An enclosed head with spacious shower and a mini-galley supports the cockpit summer kitchen with a Magma grill in the cockpit.
Who’s Buying: Anglers wanting a seaworthy boat to venture offshore, families wanting amenities for all-day outings, anyone who craves speed on the water and a boat that can be customized to every desire
Ultimate Marine Tampa Sales Center 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., #109, Tampa (407) 901-9455 | ultimatemarine.com
About: Marina Pointe is Tampa’s only new luxury residences on the water. Their unique coastal location allows boaters to make the most of bayside living. Go from door to dockside in minutes with unrestricted access to your private slip in their deepwater marina. Cruise to islands and sandbars or set sail on the open water. After your day on the water, walk to Marina Landings to enjoy a variety of shopping and dining.
With each residence boasting panoramic views of shimmering blue water or city skylines, Marina Pointe has crafted unique floor plans with the newest features and designs, giving residents the ideal blend of space and serenity. Whether you’re looking for your paradise away from home or a forever home, their residences enable you to make the most of every day. Enjoy cocktails on your terrace or poolside in a cabana. Prepare meals (or order takeout) in your gourmet kitchen. Entertain friends, old and new, dockside or in the social room, which is complete with a golf simulator.
From the grand lobby with a 24-hour concierge to the plethora of waterfront amenities, Marina Pointe was meticulously designed to provide residents with limitless opportunities to enjoy life on the water.
Availability: Tower One – select residences available for move-in 2022. Tower Two – pre-construction pricing from the $800s.
Marina Pointe 4900 Bridge St., Tampa (813) 930-9800 marinapointe.com
About: The Cruisers 60 Flybridge at Galati Yachts is a 2023 yacht that blends luxury and style in a three-stateroom, two-head yacht. From the cockpit wet bar to the sleek hardtop over the flybridge social area, guests enjoy unrivaled comfort. Twin 725-horsepower IPS Volvo diesels offer finger-tip joystick maneuvering, dynamic positioning to hold position precisely, and speeds to 34 knots. Grill steaks in the cockpit galley and retire to a full-beam master suite.
Galati Yacht Sales 12030 Gandy Blvd. N., St. Petersburg (727) 334-0151 | galatiyachts.com
Sea Ray SLX 260 Outboard (140w)
About: The Sea Ray SLX 260 Outboard from MarineMax is pure family fun. With room for 15 (plus the spacious sunpad with headrests), the 260 is fast enough for water skiing (42 miles per hour), but at a wallet-friendly 24 gallons per hour. Skipper and companion get diamond-pattern swivel bucket seats, and a removable table turns the cockpit settees into a snack spot. Forward, another table converts into a pad for sun worshipers. Powered by a Mercury 300 Verado, the skipper enjoys SmartCraft digital throttle/shift and Simrad navigation screens. Integrated ice coolers, mood lighting and the Power Tower sunshade complete the package.
MarineMax marinemax.com 18025 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater | (866) 581-9072 6810 Gulfport Blvd., St. Petersburg | (844) 339-1191
About: Boats are great fun, but they also involve upkeep. With Sovereign Boat Club, it’s like owning a boat — but way easier. With a premium selection of larger, extremely well-equipped boats in the Tampa area (electric heads, full electronics, joysticks, gyro stabilizers), Sovereign members can go farther offshore (100 miles), make up to four reservations in advance and walk away when they return, with Sovereign staff cleaning and sanitizing. Full-day usage, limited reciprocal privileges at other Sovereign locations and no worries about maintenance, debt or depreciation. A one-on-one orientation and training is included and fixed monthly costs cover everything but fuel (and ice!).
Who’s Joining: Busy families for ease of use, sandbar enthusiasts, anglers for fishing features, boaters who want comfort with upgrades.
Sovereign Boat Club (727) 200-3474 | sovereignboatclub.com
About: Suited for both coastal outings and backwater bay fishing, the 2023 Sea Cat 260 has the smooth ride, stability and speed of a catamaran with all the space of a center console. Anglers find casting decks fore and aft, plus insulated 7-foot fish boxes in the deck and ample tackle storage. The Sea Cat is powered by twin 300-horsepower Suzuki outboards for a top speed of 65 miles per hour and a 38-mph cruise.
Ultimate Marine Tampa Sales Center 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., #109, Tampa (407) 901-9455 | ultimatemarine.com
About: From the comfortable lounge in the bow to the cockpit settee with a table, this French import is a fresh look at center consoles. The port hull unfolds to create a swimming “beach,” while the cockpit has high sides for safety. The console hides two cabins with large berths, plus a head with shower. A summer kitchen is in the cockpit. Powered by twin outboards to 250 horsepower, the Flyer 9 tops at over 51 miles per hour.
Beneteau beneteau.com @beneteau_official
About: Wellcraft, originally based in Sarasota and now worldwide, just opened a new chapter with this “adventure commuter.” The Euro-styled plumb bow boat for family fun and overnighting has speeds over 50 knots with triple 350-horsepower outboards. Ample deck space for fishing, diving and sunning is matched by a luxe salon with a full galley, air conditioning and abundant seating.
Chris Caswell is an award-winning writer and the former editor of several yachting magazines. He has appeared on Oprah as a boating lifestyle expert and hosted the Marine Voyager series on the Speed Channel.
© 2018 Tampa Magazine. All rights reserved. Part of the Tampa Magazines Network.
© 2018 Tampa Magazine. All rights reserved. Part of the Tampa Magazines Network.