T
History of Salty Boats, Stumpnocker Boats and Old Salt Marine
he history of Salty Boats, Stumpnocker Boats and Old Salt Marine began when Richard J LaCharite left the Marine Corp in 1967 from Embassy Duty. Richard began working for the Ferro Corporation which made resin, gel coat and fiberglass materials in Miami Florida. Richard was promoted to Sales in 1968 and Florida Sales Manager in 1970. In 1974 MiniCraft of Florida, Inc was started by Richard J LaCharite in Lakeland Florida. MiniCraft manufactured small radio controlled fiberglass boats and grew into supplying fiberglass manufacturing companies with the necessary shop supplies to operate. In 1977 Richard J LaCharite left Ferro Corporation. In 1982 MiniCraft started color tinting 5 gallon pails and drums of gel coat for boat builders to be supplied in an emergency basis when the "large" gel coat suppliers needed help. In 1984, Ferro Corporation of Miami relocates to Wildwood Florida. In 1986 MiniCraft of Florida, Inc started offering quarts and gallons to boat yards and individuals to repair non-current vessels. In 1999 Richard J LaCharite purchased the factory in Wildwood that Ferro Corporation had purchased in 1984 and relocated MiniCraft of Florida, Inc from Lakeland to Wildwood Florida.
In 2001 MiniCraft began offering the "MiniCraft University" which is a curriculum teaching gel coat, fiberglass manufacturing, mold making and fiberglass part fabrication still taught and managed today by Richard's brother Paul LaCharite. MiniCraft also offers custom color matching services. In 2004 Old Salt Marine Lakeland was started. Old Salt Marine is your "One Stop Shop" for all your boating needs! Old Salt Marine offers SeaArk, SeaBorn, Misty Harbor, PolarKraft and Stumpnocker line of new boats. Old Salt Marine also offers a large selection of quality preowned boats as well. Old Salt Marine will buy or consign your boat and they offer brokerage services for their clients for selling or purchasing their dream boat or Yacht. Old Salt Marine believes that "Boating and Fishing is a Lifestyle", especially here in Florida. No matter what your budget is, they will find a way for you and your family to fully enjoy the Florida lifestyle with their family. Old Salt Marine has a large selection of quality parts and accessories for your boat, and if they do not have it in stock, they will get it for
10 POLK & SUMTER
CAM April Number 2.indd 10
APRIL 2017
you. Old Salt Marine service department is second to none and there is "No job too small or large" for their experienced technician staff to handle. Old Salt Marine also offers fiberglass repair and re-fits for your classic boat. Old Salt Marine has a custom canvas and upholstery shop as well and they can handle everything from seat cushions to T-Tops. In 2016 Old Salt Marine was selected Best Of Lakeland Award in the Consumer Products Category by the Lakeland Awards Program. In 2017 a second Old Salt Marine location was opened in Wildwood Florida. This location offers boat storage, new and used boats, service to all items sold by the dealership, upholstery- new and repair and specializes in outboard repower by Evinrude, Suzuki and Yamaha. Richard J LaCharite's son Donald manages both of these locations as well as Salty Boats. Go online to oldsaltmarine.com or give them a call at (863)802-0543 both locations.
Through the gel coat manufacturing process, MiniCraft needed an outlet to test materials, thus the creation of Salty Boats in 2006 in Wildwood Florida currently managed by Richard J LaCharite's son Donald LaCharite. Salty Boats offers boats under the brand in boats "Stumpnocker" The Stumpnocker line of boats are all composite construction with closed foam flotation. There are many models to choose from including flat bottom boats with 8" depths to semi V bottom boats with 10" drafts. Stumpnocker also builds boats and other fiberglass products privately labeled such as fiberglass furniture, fiberglass pools, rowing boats and more. In 2015 Salty Boats began offering dealership territory. Go to Stumpnockerboats. com to get your local dealer or give Richard with his granddaughter Morgan. them a call at (352)748-5200.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
3/19/2017 5:52:35 PM