Coquina Marina Anticipates September Reopening

When the France family (owners of NASCAR) bought the Sunset Harbor Yacht Club in Daytona Beach last year, the 12-year-old private facility didn’t need much work done. Renamed Coquina Marina, the marina had modern fixed docks with 62 slips, plus upscale amenities like tennis courts, a full fitness center, pool and hot tub.

“It was in great shape until Hurricane Irma,” said Robin Braig, the marina’s harbormaster. “Most people think that Irma went up Florida’s west coast, but most of the damage was here on the East Coast. Almost all of the marinas in Daytona suffered some kind of catastrophic dock damage from the six-foot tide surge. The surge literally lifted our docks out of the water and destroyed them.”

When the owners began rebuilding, they decided to dredge the marina basin, increasing its depth from 6 feet to 10 feet, so they could host larger yachts. Then, they ordered $4 million in new concrete floating docks from Bellingham Marine, keeping the 62 slips but changing the configuration of the docks to make more room for larger boats.

“We are upgrading our power and will have three-phase, 100-amp service for the bigger boats, and we are putting in all new water and pumpout facilities,” Braig said.

The marina will also be adding a bar and a restaurant, which will have its own dock and will include outdoor seating.
Installation of the docks began in late July, and the marina should reopen in mid-September.

Braig said that Daytona Beach has become a year-round location for boaters. That could be one reason why he already has reservations for about 70 percent of the slips. “We’re sold out for slips 40 feet and up,” he added.