FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 3, 2025— What began as a $1,000 investment in Chris Craft parts by Cliff Hunt in 1975 at a Thunderbird Flea Market has evolved into one of the most renowned new and used marine supply stores in the world. Sailorman New and Used Marine, founded by Cliff and Maggie Hunt, has been a mainstay of Fort Lauderdale’s boating community for 50 years.
After years of extensive cruising, the Hunts sailed into Port Everglades, planning to sell S/V Romany, a 35-foot sloop that Cliff built from the bare hull in Vancouver. They needed a place to store and sell their newly acquired parts and purchased a hole-in-the-wall consignment shop called “The Lazarette” at Harbor West (now the Hilton on 17th St.). By 1977, the store officially became “Sailorman.”
Over the next eight years, Sailorman outgrew its original location and two others (South Federal Hwy. and SW 4th Ave.) before settling at its State Road 84 address in 1983. The business remained there until 2017, when it moved to its current location at 3000 South Andrews Avenue, occupying a full city block.
Fitzgerald, at the time a sales rep for Land n’ Sea Distributing since 1975, frequently visited Sailorman as part of his weekly route and fell in love with the store. After multiple attempts to buy the business, Cliff finally sold, and Chuck took over the reins on January 1, 1985. With a fresh vision, he set out to build a company culture based on relationships, aiming to ensure that everyone—whether buying, selling, browsing, or earning a paycheck—had a positive experience. This cultural shift, combined with Sailorman’s unmatched selection of marine products, has made the store an iconic part of the boating world.
Over the last five decades, Sailorman has navigated the changing tides of local and global markets. Originally catering to sailboat cruisers passing through Fort Lauderdale on their way to and from the Caribbean, Sailorman’s inventory evolved to meet the needs of power vessels and mega yachts, reflecting Fort Lauderdale’s transformation into the “Yachting Capital of the World.” Despite these changes, Sailorman has maintained the charm and character customers have come to love.
Chuck will be the first to tell you that Sailorman’s success is found at the heart of the company: its crew. Three generations of employees, supported by a crew of seasoned marine experts, provide an old-school customer service experience in an era where it is increasingly rare. Sailorman has employed people from all walks of life, including corporate VIPs, military veterans, liveaboards, a dentist, and even a Hollywood dancer mentioned in Betty Davis’s memoir. Many employees have forged lifelong friendships and celebrated at a 2019 Crew Reunion that brought former staff together from around the country.
Sailorman will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a grand jubilee on Saturday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at its Fort Lauderdale location. This free event will include food, drinks, live music, games, giveaways, treasure hunts, and more. Everyone is invited to commemorate Sailorman’s legacy and its unique place in the marine community. Details and updates are online at sailorman.com/50years.
About Sailorman:
Sailorman, located in Fort Lauderdale, is a legendary new and used marine store known for its old-school charm and unique personality. It has been a trusted hub for the boating community since 1975. They buy, trade, consign and sell a vast selection of marine supplies, gear and hard-to-find parts for mariners, boaters, and DIY enthusiasts.
