Suntex Marinas acquires Two George's Marina

Suntex Marina Investors has expanded its footprint on Florida's Emerald Coast by acquiring Two Georges Marina in Shalimar. The facility, now rebranded as Shalimar Harbor Marina, represents an extension of Suntex's strategy to bolster its offerings in this highly competitive region.

The Dallas-based marina operator, working in collaboration with Centerbridge Partners, disclosed the acquisition without specifying financial terms. This purchase adds 134 wet slips and 190 dry rack storage spaces to Suntex's inventory, complementing its existing operations at Legendary Marina in nearby Destin. Located conveniently near the Intracoastal Waterway and Destin Pass, the marina provides fuel dock services along with a ship store and on-site marine services.

Suntex's senior vice president of operations, Sam Chavers, emphasized the marina's versatility, highlighting the availability of both covered and uncovered wet slips and protected dry storage. The acquisition aligns with Suntex’s model of providing comprehensive marine services while also enhancing customer options across its network.

Strategically, this acquisition strengthens Suntex's presence in a region characterized by high boating activity and tourist traffic. By integrating Two Georges Marina, Suntex aims to tap into the local boating culture and increase its market share along the Emerald Coast. The merger also allows Suntex to leverage existing infrastructure to deliver improved services and customer experiences.

In tandem with this acquisition, George and Amanda Fussell will maintain their independent sales and service operations under the name Two Georges Marine. The Fussells will continue to offer a variety of services, including boatyard haul-out, maintenance, and retail boat sales. This partnership will potentially enhance Suntex's service offering by combining corporate resources with local, family-run operations.

Future developments will likely focus on operational integration and customer experience improvements. Suntex aims to elevate the boating experience at Shalimar Harbor Marina, which may serve as a blueprint for further expansion in the region. There are no immediate regulatory hurdles mentioned, but the next key phase will involve embedding Suntex's service standards while maintaining local partnerships.