Nauti-Tech

Celebrating its 61st year in business, the Lauderdale Marina, located on the Intracoastal Waterway just north of Port Everglades is, according to founder Robert Cox, the oldest single-owner marina business in south Florida.In 1948, the site of the marina was an abandoned highly secret research station for submarine torpedoes of World War II. It was so far "out of town" that the police pistol firing range was on the same dirt road, SE 15th Street, at what is now Cordova Road. Lauderdale Harbors and many of the other undeveloped islands were simply tree covered and sometimes swampy leftovers from the great 1926 Florida real estate crash.Cox, making a permanent move from New York to Fort Lauderdale, arrived in Port Everglades in 1946 on a deep draft motor sailor. He was astonished to find that there was no place where the water was deep enough to dock his 9' draft boat, the only commercial dockage being a small obsolete marina on the causeway which is now the Las Olas bridge connection to the beach. Huss Marina was on its last legs, had a shallow depth of water, red-tagged condemned wiring, and a single metal shower stall installed, it is said, by one of the boat owners for the price of a bottle of good whiskey.The semi-abandoned Navy torpedo research station was the only spot with enough depth to accommodate Cox's vessel, but could not be used because the government had not relinquished its prewar lease on the property. Cox, however, seeking not only a dock but recognizing that the miles of empty Fort Lauderdale waterways would some day be lined with homes and boats, all of which would have to pass the torpedo station on their way to the ocean or up and down the Intracoastal Waterway, negotiated with the owners of the land and in 1948 opened Lauderdale Marina as a fueling station."How well I remember that day we opened, " says Cox, "We sold 48 gallons of gas to a customer who not only filled his small boat's tank but also a bunch of 5 gallon cans. Asked why he filled the cans, too, the customer said he was tired of carrying fuel from a highway gas station and, from the looks of the marinas early dock, wasn't sure how long we would be in business."

Introducing the most highly evolved offshore center console on the water, Bahama Boat Works along with two leaders in the boating industry- Scott Henley and Robert Sparks welcome you to join them at the summit. After two decades of experience striving to bring you the best open fishing machine on the water the evolutionary process is complete. Beginning in 1990 Sparks and Henley saw a need for a boat that combined speed and a smooth ride, ample work space and storage, fish ability along with sexy lines. Starting with a proven performance hull and their knowledge of the needs of a fisherman, the first step in the process was completed. After several years of success with this project they listened to the wishes of the owners and took this boat to the next level. The new and improved version took on a more sophisticated look and finish work was stepped up to suit the demands of the evolving industry. Taking this product to the top of the food chain was a natural progression and Bahama Boat Works answered the call. The end result is a fishing machine that combines a ride that is unparalleled, speed and comfort, dock appeal, along with workspace and storage that rivals boats twice her size. The Bahama 31 and new 41 represent the pinnacle of the evolutionary process. This vessel represents the culmination of Sparks' many years of experience in the design and construction of high quality FRP composite fishing platforms along with Henley's reputation for delivering the same undeniable quality and craftsmanship in the final rigged product. From layout to her fit and finish, the Bahama includes many unusually clever details. All hatches and doors have full liners and utilize a proprietary double-seal design for true dry storage. The fully lined console contains a spacious head featuring six foot six inch headroom and eleven feet of below deck storage area. Each hardware component has been carefully chosen for their individual beauty and durability. All latches and hinges are recessed and many blind fasteners are utilized, resulting in very few visible screw heads. From the most mundane unseen fastener to the electrical wiring harnesses, every component used is top shelf.