Company Sponsored Events

Eddie Smith had attended an owner’s tournament at a dealership in Texas and called Kay to suggest Kay hosting one for his company which at the time was still called Wrightsville Yacht Brokerage. The first year 15 to 20 boats participated. Seagate Methodist Church helped with the cookout for the participants and their families. The tournament was held at Wrightsville Marina. The original tournaments were two day events; unfortunately, there was no separation between children and adults, but that was soon to change. That first year, a customer's 4-year-old son was leading the flounder category on the first day only to be beaten by an adult. The child was so upset that it prompted Kay to create a children’s division for kids 12 and under to participate. Our owners’ tournaments are about families enjoying their boats and having a great time. 2006 marked our 27th Annual Owners Tournament, where we had 75 boats entered and about 450-500 guests for our awards dinner.

In the early ‘70's, a fellow Grady White dealer Tom Boyette, owner of Old Boy Will Boat Dealership in Clinton, NC, was taking customers on an annual trip to Ocracoke, NC. The Gulf Stream is only 25 miles off Ocracoke inlet, so it was an easy way for small outboard boats to fish the gulfstream. These were the days way before satellite navigation, and even early LORAN machines were expensive and only found on large vessels Before Tom closed his business, he insisted that Kay keep the event going. The trip has been a wonderful experience for many customers through the years and has introduced many customers to Gulf Stream fishing. We will be celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Ocracoke trip in the 2007 summer season.

Crocker’s Marine hosts an annual fishing school every February. 150 to 200 people are usually in attendance. The school is free and open to the public. Professional fisherman and Captains speak on a wide range of marine topics including different types of fishing, from inshore flounder and drum to offshore tuna & dolphin techniques. As well as information on the latest electronics. The school is held on a Saturday in mid February in our sales showroom and we provide the doughnuts and coffee in the morning along with all you can eat hotdogs for lunch.

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