11/02/2026
⚓ Big news for Sarasota boaters: a $22M inland boat & RV storage facility is coming just north of downtown.
Gold Key Boathouse, led by 81-year-old Navy veteran and entrepreneur Brian McCarthy, is planned for Butler Avenue off US 301, about three miles from the bayfront. Construction is expected to start in early 2027, with opening targeted for the end of that year.
Here’s why it matters 👇
🚤 Sarasota and Manatee counties have about 50,500 registered boats but only around 7,500 wet slips and dry racks combined. That’s roughly one space for every seven boats.
🏢 The plan calls for 350 indoor spots, including boats, 87 RV spaces, and 60 trailer rack spaces.
📱 Owners will be able to book their boat and trailer through an app and “hitch and launch” any time, day or night.
🌊 The closest public boat ramp is about 10 minutes away, with 18 more within a 45-minute drive.
For buyers who love the water but don’t need (or want) a waterfront price tag, this kind of storage could make inland Sarasota homes even more appealing.
📰 Source: Business Observer