Legacy Boating Club proudly celebrates its 20-year anniversary, marking two decades of providing a premium, hassle-free boating experience for families and individuals who love the water but prefer not to own a boat. After launching a preopening campaign in 2004, Legacy Boating Club officially opened in the spring of 2005. Since its launch, Legacy has transformed the boating industry with its innovative members-only model, offering access to a luxurious fleet of powerboats without the challenges of boat ownership.
What began as a bold vision with modest resources—a $10,000 investment, a three-fold brochure, and a corner of a shared desk at Legendary Marina—has grown into a thriving community of over 450 members from 22 states operating at three area marinas, Baytowne Marina at Sandestin, Marina Landing Panama City Beach, and the Marbella Yacht Club on the Destin Harbor. "We launched Legacy with very little, but we had plenty of faith and the belief that people wanted to enjoy quality boating on the beautiful Emerald Coast if we could make it easy for them," said founder Fletcher Shackelford. "By appealing to families who could easily afford their own boats but preferred not to have the hassles of boat ownership, we created a model that has spread throughout the boating industry."
The club's unique approach proved immediately successful, with its first member—Steven Schreifer— joining before the office opened. "I wanted to be the first member, so I slid my check under the door before they even opened the office," said Schreifer, who remains a member today. "Legacy has been a game-changer for my family."
Legacy Boating Club's success is built on its commitment to providing premium experiences. Members enjoy an unlimited number of outings on professionally maintained fleet, ranging from wave runners to pleasure boats to offshore center consoles. With just a few clicks on the club’s user-friendly online reservation system, members can have a boat fueled, cleaned, and ready at the marina, allowing them to focus on enjoying the water. This convenience, combined with the club’s high standards for its fleet, has set Legacy apart from traditional boat-sharing programs. “We are so impressed with the friendliness of the staff and the quality of the equipment at Legacy, it’s like belonging to a country club on the water,” added Kit Sause, a longtime club member.
Over the past 20 years, Legacy Boating Club has weathered significant economic challenges, from the Great Recession to the BP Oil Spill to Hurricane Michael’s devastating impact on Panama City Beach. Despite these setbacks, the club continued to thrive. “In addition to much prayer, the key to our success has been expecting the unexpected," Shackelford explained. "We've learned to constantly innovate, leverage technology, spend wisely, and treat our members and staff like family in good times and tough times."
As Legacy celebrates this milestone, the Shackelford family reflects on its journey from a small startup to a successful multi-business family enterprise. Fletcher’s eldest son, Charlie Shackelford, now runs Legacy Boating Club after gaining valuable experience as a financial analyst at Ernst & Young. “My parents made sure we were equipped to succeed on our own before stepping into the family business,” said Charlie. "That foundation has been invaluable as we continue to build Legacy. My brothers and I grew up in the business, working the docks as soon as Dad would let us. With growth, we will need talent, and we hope to recruit Grason and Wesley to work for the family business.”
Fletcher, though officially stepping back from day-to-day operations, remains involved at a strategic level. "People often say I’ve retired, but I still enjoy being part of the business while pursuing nonprofit activities that bring my wife Gayle and I joy and purpose," said Fletcher. “It’s been a family effort all along, and I’m excited to see where the next generation will take us.”
Legacy Boating Club’s anniversary marks not just a time for reflection, but also for looking ahead. “We’re always thinking about how we can continue to innovate,” said Fletcher. "Legacy was our first step, but we've since launched other ventures including Double Fun Watersports, Marine Service Group, and bought Destin Vacation Boat Rental, a booking agency. There are more ideas out there waiting to be turned into reality."
As Legacy Boating Club celebrates 20 years, it remains committed to its founding mission to help families build a Legacy of memories on the water, but now the families are the children of its original members. To learn more about Legacy Boating Club, visit www.legacyboatingclub.com, call 850-337-8388 or email info@legacyboatingclub.com.
