July 2026 Newsletter

Dear Valued Customer,

Happy 4th of July! What a great time of the year to be a boater! This year we are calling the 4th of July a 3-day weekend. With Independence Day falling on a Saturday, we’ve decided to make the most of a great weekend to be on the water. So… we will be operating on our usual hours (8:00am – 5:00pm) through Thursday July 2nd then closed July 3rd - 5th. We will re-open at 8:00am on Monday July 6th. For those preparing for the Holiday weekend as well as the Grady Bunch members preparing for our annual Bahamas Trip, now is the time to get prepared. The fireworks display begins at 9:00pm right here at Memorial Island and as far as I’m concerned, the best way to view the show is by boat! Being one of the busiest boating weekends of the year, remember to practice safe boating and keep an eye out for those who bear watching!

On Monday July 6th the Grady Bunch departs from Vero Beach and heads off on our biggest trip of the year. Our friends at Grady White call this the Vero Marine Center signature trip and yes, Bahamas here we come. Even though we’ve been making this trip as a group since 1988, each year we try to do something a little different. So, this year our itinerary will look like this…our first night will be at Old Bahama Bay on Grand Bahama where we’ll clear customs, refuel and enjoy a dip in the pool. The next morning we’re off to Hopetown on Elbow Cay for 4 nights before we head further South to Spanish Wells. We enjoyed our time on Spanish Wells so much last year that we just had to go back! After 4 nights in Spanish Wells we’ll turn it around and head back North to our “home away from home”, Green Turtle Cay. We always enjoy our time in the islands and this year’s group is excited and ready to go! This will be the Grand Finale of the Grady Bunch itinerary for the season and the combination of great people, fun destinations, and some great cruising are what makes memories that last a lifetime! This year’s Bahamas group is experienced and ready for the next adventure.

The harried pace in the service department has leveled off a bit as our summer storage warehouses are just about full. We’re not completely done yet but we’re in the home stretch. We’re still plenty busy but right now is the time for making boats ready for summer fun! Routine maintenance and repowers are keeping the schedule full. Having said that, lead times are reasonable and we’re ready so let Kris, Boo or Ian know what we can do to make your summertime boating great! The heat is up and my hats off to the boys in the shop and the dock crew for continuing to be the “can-do crew” and rising to the occasion! Sunblock, big hats and lots of water are important tools of the trade this time of the year.

Artie and Bobby have maintained a steady pace in the sales department and somehow managed to sneak out and get a much overdue and well-deserved break from what has been an extremely busy year. As a result of the hard work that they’ve put in, our inventory is starting to thin out but of course, there’s more on the way! These two guys are as good as they get, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for on the lot don’t hesitate to let us know what you’re interested in. As I said, there’s more on the way! Also, we’ve already started taking orders for Fall delivery boats. If you’re thinking about a new boat for when you return to Vero Beach, now is the time to start the conversation. Both Grady White and Robalo will be introducing new models in the Fall, so check with Artie and Bobby for the details. We always like to welcome the newest members of the “Busy Marina” crew and this month we welcome aboard Diamond Marine, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Ruppert, Mr. William Moak, Mr. & Mrs. Eric Propper, Mr. Jeffrey Bush, Ark Marine, John Bussey & Sharon Valladares, Mike Thomas & Don Stack, and Mr. & Mrs. John Mellott. Sincere thanks to all of you for your business, we’ll be looking for you out on the water!   

This is always a busy time of the year in our Ship's Store and we're ready! From the basics like life jackets and dock lines to marine electronics, we can help. So, with the 4th of July weekend upon us and a great long range weather forecast, boat traffic on the river will be up and with increased boating comes increased law enforcement. We carry all the required safety gear and right now is the time to make sure that your boat is safety compliant. Nothing spoils a day on the water like getting a citation for an expired set of flares or a bad fire extinguisher. Stop in and say hello to Ryan, our prices are very competitive, and our service is even better! Come visit us by land or sea...we aim to please. 

If you've read this far, by now it should be obvious that we like what we do. We have a great crew of hard-working boys and girls and represent some of the best brands along the waterfront. However, the most important piece of the puzzle is YOU! We thank you all for your business, your loyalty and your kind referrals. We like to be busy and without you we wouldn't have much to do! Our goal is to make your boating as fun and convenient as possible. Good value never goes out of style! Let's go boating... 

See you on the water,

Brian Cunningham

P.S. The latest Sea Turtle report looks great. They are nesting in full force right now. On my nightly beach walks I'm seeing plenty of turtles and most are laying their eggs just above the high tide mark which is good.  We are coming into that time of the year when it pays to keep an eye on the tropics and the sea turtles are pretty good weather forecasters, so let's hope that they continue to stay low on the beach!

“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.” ~ Albert Camus   

Brian and Family Watching the Blue Angels by Boat

Bobby Spotting a Waterspout in Islamorada