Jackson Marine Sales was founded in 1954 by the late Bill Jackson. The first location was in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and expanded to additional locations in Baltimore and North East, Maryland. Bill, Jean and family would spend their winter months in sunny south Florida (living on a boat, of course) and it didn’t take Bill long to see the business opportunity of South Florida. He set up boat sales at the Sands Hotel & Marina in Pompano Beach. Their sales operation became a huge success and earned the honor of being the world’s largest dealer for Trojan Yachts and Chris Craft Cruisers. In 1987 the Jackson’s purchased a large boatyard in Fort Lauderdale known as Annapolis Yacht Basin. The facility had a rather interesting history…..

The boatyard was first developed in the early 1950’s by John Rodi of Rodi Chris Craft (the world’s largest Chris Craft Dealer of that era). At that time, the Chris Craft Roamers were being manufactured in Pompano Beach. Upon completion the boats were loaded onto Railcars and sent, via the tracks, to the facility for launching and storage. In those years the New River was virtually undeveloped and the only facilities in the area were Lauderdale Yacht Basin and Rodi Chris Craft. 

The marina changed hands a few times and each sale resulted in a name change. Some of the more well known names were Amity Yacht Basin (in the ‘70’s) and Annapolis Yacht Basin (in the ‘80’s). In the mid 1980’s the property was the site of a major drug trafficking operation and was eventually shut down by the authorities. The marina was one of 37 properties that had been seized from drug dealers under the US Department of Justice’s Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Program. The Jackson’s were the successful bidder at the Government’s Public Auction and the facility was promptly renamed Jackson Marine Center. Family members managed the successful operation for 19 years. In the summer of 2006 our boatyard was sold and the facility renamed Ft Lauderdale Boat Club. 

Even though the Jackson family no longer owns the property, Donna and Patty Jackson remain on site to operate their service, parts & repair business. Our services have expanded to include mobile dockside repairs in the tri-county area.

Jackson Marine’s Service Department is now managed by Les Chestnut. Les has been a technician with Jackson Marine for over 27 years. His boating career began with Trojan Yachts in 1971 where he was worked on the manufacturing line, performed sea-trials and testing of the proto-type hulls. In 1980 he took a job with Jackson Marine in North East, Maryland where he handled new boat rigging and warranty work for our new boat lines including Chris Craft and Trojan Yachts. Les has worked his way up from Lead Technician and Road Service Mechanic to Service Manager. 

Les oversees our staff of technicians, travel-lift operators and bottom painters. Our staff are our own “employees” – not subcontractors. We are fortunate to have many loyal, long term employees. Most have been with us for a minimum of 8 years. Our techs are all Factory Trained and Certified. We are an authorized repair center for Mercruiser, Volvo, Crusader and Indmar Engines. We handle warranty repairs for most all of the new boat manufacturers and repairs for Progressive Insurance customers.

Jackson Marine has served thousands of boaters throughout our 54 years in business. Our experience and reputation is second to none. Please contact us if we can help you with your boating needs.