Island Boatworks, Inc.
The Largest Boat Repair Facility in Southwest Florida
Richard Strauss is president of Island Boatworks, Inc., the largest boat repair facility in Southwest Florida. As a born leader, Strauss has always conducted his personal and professional relationships by following his strong faith based beliefs and commitments. This has allowed Richard to remain happily married for 23 years to his wife Mary, whom he proudly states “is a saint for putting up with my antics” and together they are raising a son 15 and a daughter 12.
Strauss, has always heard a different drummer than most. While he has always worked in the marine industry, even has a college degree in Marine Technology, the corporate world just didn’t fit his easy going laid back personality and lifestyle. So he traded in his white shirt and tie for a comfortable pair of flip flops and unleashed his endless sense of humor. This has been a good fit for Strauss and has allowed him to completely identify with his relaxed fishing/pleasure boating clientele.
Located in a 14,000 square foot facility in the North Cape Industrial Park in Cape Coral, Florida; Island Boatworks is Southwest Florida’s most complete repair facility with an indoor gantry system, 30-ton travel lift and paint shop.
Some might compare the work done by Island Boatworks as the boater’s equivalent of the trucks restored on the popular TV program “Trick My Truck”. With projects such as restoring a 1971 Seacraft to better than new condition or fabricating hinged radar arches to better navigate areas with many bridges, Island Boatworks is well known by insurance adjustors, boatyards, fishing guides as well as “weekend captains” for their expertise in fiberglass repair, boat refurbishing and customizing, repowering and custom rigging.
Island Boatworks’ new website at www.theboatfixer.com shows great examples of the services the company provides -- from storm damage to complete restoration as well as accessorizing. Visit our website and sign up for our e-newsletter. In turn, you will receive a quarterly e-newsletter with helpful hints and safe boating information. For example, the day before the arrival of Tropical Storm Fay, Island Boatworks sent out an impromptu e-mail with a Hurricane Check List for our customers to follow while securing their boat to weather the storm.
It has been important to Strauss to focus on his clients needs and once he identifies a need he goes full force in finding a solution. That is why Strauss recently worked with M&I Bank to begin offering his clients financing. Customers interested in restoration or accessorizing their boat, now have financing options available. Island Boatworks can and will make your boat unique to you and most importantly safe on the water. Strauss stated “It is important to us that you have a safe boating experience. Financing will allow a customer to move forward with a much needed repair or restoration and provide the peace of mind that their boat is safe on the water.”
The entire team at Island Boatworks is highly skilled, and their backgrounds include extensive experience in both the boat building and the boat repair industry. All work is done to American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) and U.S. Coast Guard standards.
Island Boatworks, Inc. • 2533 NE 9th Ave • Cape Coral, Florida 33909
(239) 458-4868 • (888) 458-4868 • Fax (239) 458-9030
