Ben DeVries has done nearly every job at Legacy Marine at one point or another. When his family opened the dealership in Stuart, Fla., in 2016, DeVries stepped in as general manager on day one — and in those early years, that title covered a lot of ground.
“I wore just about every hat imaginable,” DeVries told Trade Only Today. “On any given day, I could be helping in the service department, selling boats, rigging deliveries, handling paperwork or even cleaning the office. Like many small family businesses, everyone did whatever was needed to keep things moving.”
Ten years later, Legacy Marine has grown into a full-service dealership representing Front Runner, Chris-Craft, Tidewater, Shallow Sport and SCB, with a service department staffed by factory-trained technicians who work on Mercury, Yamaha and Suzuki outboards. The dealership employs about 20 people across sales, service and administration, and it’s preparing for its biggest move yet: a relocation to a waterfront location at Four Fish Marina in Jensen Beach, Fla.
But ask DeVries what has carried the business from a startup to a multidepartment operation, and the answer isn’t square footage or brand lineup. It’s the team.
Legacy Marine customers use their boats on some of the most sought-after waters in the Sunshine State: the St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, the Intracoastal Waterway, Lake Okeechobee and the Atlantic. Many make regular runs to the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. DeVries said that geography makes offshore performance and reliability a priority for the boats and brands Legacy Marine carries.
Industry’s Backbone
Boat dealers are often described as the backbone of the marine industry. Nothing works without them. Dealers handle the sale, the financing, the rigging, the delivery and, critically, the decade or more of service and support that follows. For DeVries, that role only works because of the people who show up every day to do the work.
“Relationships have always been the foundation of Legacy Marine,” he said. “We believe in treating every customer like family, not just during the sale but throughout their ownership experience.”
That philosophy, DeVries said, starts internally. As Legacy Marine has grown, he’s shifted from working in the day-to-day of every department to working on the business as a whole. It’s a transition made possible, he said, by building out a team capable of running those departments without him standing over their shoulders.
“We’ve built an incredible team, expanded our operations and developed systems that allow each department to thrive,” DeVries said. “My time is now dedicated to growing the dealership, strengthening relationships with our customers and manufacturing partners, mentoring our team, and continuing to improve the overall customer experience.”
That emphasis on staff and culture shows up in how DeVries talks about the dealership’s core values: exceptional customer service, long-term relationships over one-time transactions, continuous improvement and accountability within the team. Supporting the local boating community rounds out the list, but it’s accountability and team culture that DeVries returns to when describing what keeps customers coming back.
Legacy Marine’s new location is at Four Fish Marina in Jensen Beach, Fla.
Navigating the Market
Higher interest rates, elevated inventory levels industrywide and more careful consumer spending have made for a more competitive year, DeVries said. “Rather than simply reacting, we’ve focused on improving operational efficiency, investing in customer service and strengthening our service department. Those investments position us well for the future regardless of market conditions.”
That approach — leaning on staff and service capacity rather than cutting back — has allowed the dealership to keep growing even as broader retail conditions have been challenging. Legacy Marine added Front Runner to its lineup this year. The brand, DeVries said, has continued attracting boaters from across Florida and beyond.
A New Home
The dealership’s move to Four Fish Marina is one of its biggest milestones. The facility will give Legacy Marine direct water access, expanded service capabilities, more room for inventory and space to keep growing. “Our move into our new waterfront headquarters in Jensen Beach is going to be a game-changer for us,” DeVries said. “This investment represents our commitment to long-term growth and to providing an even better experience for our customers.”
For the next six months, the dealership’s focus will be on settling into the location and maximizing the facility’s capabilities while continuing to expand the service department and customer support programs. DeVries said the team is also investing in technology and refining internal processes to keep pace with growth.
Looking ahead, DeVries expects the broader market to keep normalizing — a shift he sees as an opportunity for dealerships built around customer service rather than volume. “We’re optimistic about the coming year,” he said. “Our new location, strong manufacturer partnerships, growing service business and an outstanding team position Legacy Marine for continued growth. We remain committed to providing the highest level of service while helping more families enjoy life on the water.”
For DeVries, that commitment comes back to the people carrying it out. “We recognize that we aren’t simply selling boats. We’re helping families create lifelong memories,” he said. “That philosophy drives every aspect of our business, from the first conversation through years of service after the sale.”
