The Tribune

Palm Cay’s marina has exceeded growth projections in the three months it has been open, with 30 property owners now berthing up to 110-foot yachts there.

Brooks Russell, its harbourmaster, says that apart from Palm Cay residents the marina is also attracting transient boaters heading for Exuma.

“Getting a marina and its facilities right from consistent, sufficient power to dockside service is not easy, but it’s essential,” Mr Russell said.

“Get it wrong and word will spread like wildfire over VHF radio, social media, a network that seems to travel among boaters as if they were all connected by an invisible but invincible thread.”

Mr Russell has been in the marina industry for more than 15 years. Last year, he signed on with Palm Cay while construction of the marina was still underway.

“Traffic and business is picking up every week,” he added. With 194 slips, and full service facilities, the marina is attracting buyers to a lifestyle in the fully-funded, almost 70-acre waterfront community on New Providence’s southeastern shore.

More than 30 property owners are already berthing everything from personal watercraft to 110-foot yachts at the marina that opened in late October, while construction of the harbourmaster’s office and other facilities was ongoing.

“We are the closest marina in New Providence to Exuma, so for those who want to go over the yellow banks in good light, it makes a lot of sense to berth at Palm Cay overnight and get a good start by light of day,” said Mr Russell.

“It cuts six or seven miles off the trip, making it more attractive, especially for sailboats. And while they are here, they can take advantage of the beach club and pools. Pretty soon, they’ll have the Billfish Grill restaurant, so it’s like being on vacation on the way to vacation.”

In October, Palm Cay was named the southeastern outpost of the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA). The marina monitors calls and is capable of launching a rescue vessel with volunteers in case of an emergency.

“We are extremely pleased with the positive response to the marina,” said Palm Cay’s sales and marketing director, Zack Bonczek.

“Business has exceeded expectation at this point, and we believe it will pick up even more with the opening of the restaurant.”

With more than 70 per cent of the single family lots sold, the community of single family homes, condos and townhomes was named Developer of the Year 2013 by the Bahamas Contractors Association, the first time the award was ever presented to a development.