Back when FB Marine Group was known as Fast Boats, they were just a resource for buying boats. That was then. Now, they are basically the boating version of a car dealership, operating as one of the leading luxury, center console and performance dealers in the country – as well as purveyors of a unique new service for people who don’t necessarily want to own a yacht, but who want a
day’s worth of that yacht-life experience.
Besides selling and buying boats, they also offer a one-stop shop for sales, service, financing, parts, transport and top-notch storage. They provide services including complete electronics repair and installation, fiberglass and paint repair and custom engine builds and rigging.
As part of their one-stop shop for boating needs, they recently launched an excursion experience. It is suited to those seeking a white-glove yachting experience for a day out on the water. “We’re bringing that service, that luxury offering to the day charter customer,” FB Marine’s Kim Sweers says. The five-star services include gourmet food, captain and full provisions.
The excursions could last four to eight hours and destinations include different options such as the sandbar at Haulover, Miami Beach, Boca Inlet or cruising down the Intracoastal. FB Marine Group offers the service at all its locations, which include Pompano Beach, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale.
Sweers says it’s the highest level of customer service available for one-day charters and is best suited for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette celebrations, bridal parties and even spreading ashes of a loved one. “We have had a couple of well-known ballplayers and athletes onboard already,” she says.
Sweers is one half of the couple who own and manage the company that was founded as Fast Boats in the mid ’90s by her husband. Prior to launching Fast Boats in 1994, Randy Sweers was experienced in the boating industry through importing powerboats and cars in Canada then working in American Yacht Sales in Miami.
When Kim and Randy started dating in 1999, she initially joined as an investor. As time went on, she used her experience from working in corporate America to influence the company’s business model. She officially joined in 2001.
“Then we put our heads together,” she says.
The company’s recent additions don’t stop with the excursions. They recently opened their Miami Beach Marina location. The facility partnered up with Suntex Marinas and has 400 in-water slips capable of handling yachts up to 200 feet long.
Since the company’s launch, Sweers has seen it improve and grow. What started off as a two-person show has now become a large company that grows in creative ways.
“What I’m most proud of,” Sweers says, “is that I have so much confidence in our team to help this company grow and take us to the next chapter. Our ultimate goal is to expand our footprint.”
