John and Jo Anne Davis are the new owners of TowBoatUS Lake Harris in central Florida.
The Davises know firsthand how important it is to get prompt help when a boat breaks down. When their 21-foot bowrider had engine problems a few years ago, they called TowBoatUS.
Capt. Buddy Hall saved the day by towing them to a nearby boat ramp. Now Hall, the primary captain at TowBoatUS Lake Harris for many years, is working with the Davises.
“He knows every channel in our chain of lakes,” John Davis, who goes on dispatch calls with Hall so Davis can learn the boat-towing business, said in a statement.
The Davises, who met while crewing on a sailboat on Lake Michigan, have been active in the central Florida boating community for more than 30 years. They decided to become TowBoatUS owner/operators at the suggestion of the prior owners, longtime friends who had their hands full with their TowBoatUS service on the St. Johns River.
“It was natural,” John Davis said. “I had retired from a service business. We are passionate about boating, and we live right on the lake.”
John will run the boating end of the business; Jo Anne will be in charge of the office and assist as first mate from time to time.
“I love being on the water,” she said.
TowBoatUS Lake Harris will help boaters in need anywhere on the Harris Chain of Lakes — 12 lakes, including Lake Harris, Lake Eustis, Lake Dora and Lake Griffin, all connected by canals, rivers, and streams that extend over 75,000 acres.
There are 31 boat ramps, 11 marinas and a shoreline dotted with private docks along the chain.
