Waterways Marina - Shane Strause

How did you get involved in the industry, and what brought you to this marina?
Since the age of two, I’ve spent my summers at Two Rivers Yacht Basin on the Bohemia River in the Chesapeake Bay, until I joined the Navy in 1991. My first boating-related job in high school was at a local boat dealership in Reading, PA, in 1988. What brought me to Waterways Marina was the opportunity to be part of a new marina with an amazing concept like no other on the East Coast.

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If you could spend a day on the water with anyone in the world, whom would you choose?
My late grandfather Loring “Mick” Boeshore. He is the one who introduced me to boating. I spent every summer with him and my grandmother on their boat on the Chesapeake Bay. I would give anything to have one more day on the water with him and for him to see what I have accomplished in this industry.

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What in your life prepared you for this job?
I have to thank Bob Wilson of the Mears Marinas for the opportunity to transition from boat and yacht sales when the economy crashed in 2008. He afforded me the opportunity to take the roll as general manager of Snake Creek Marina in Islamorada, FL, in 2009. He was a wealth of knowledge, and I learned a lot from him.

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What personal traits do you think every marina manager should possess?
Willing to listen, always being helpful, flexible and trusting, and anticipating customers’ needs.

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If you won a trip of your choice to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I spent 8.5 years flying for the Navy as a crewman on the P-3 Orion. I was fortunate enough to see a good bit of the world, but the one place I would love to go is Fiji!

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If you didn’t work at a marina, what would be your dream job?
Professional offshore sportfishing. I love to fish and wish I could travel to World Championship Fishing Tournaments.

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What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while boating or working at the marina?
While running our Ocean 55 through the Florida Bay behind Islamorada with a bunch of people on board, we spotted a pod of dolphins off the bow. After joking that I paid the “dolphin union” for their performance and following them for a bit, I was not paying attention to the GPS or depth finder and shifted the bow on a sandbar. Luckily, we were idling and there was no damage except to my pride after everyone had some fun at my expense.

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Describe yourself in three words.
Hardworking, honest and approachable.

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What makes Waterways Marina special or different than other marinas?
Waterways Marina is a public access, 188-unit, dry stack marina located within a 1,200-acre planned community. We have a freshwater lagoon with real estate, and if you live on the lagoon, you can keep your boat in your backyard. Then, when you want to go out on the water, you just run your boat to the freshwater side of the dry stack, and we will pick you up and move you to the saltwater side where your adventures are limitless. We have two marina forklifts to service both the dry stack and freshwater lagoon.

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