Jeff Husby worked as general manager for Correct Craft for 15 years. When the opportunity arose to start a dealership, he had several ideas to grow the Nautique brand. But he started Nautiques of Orlando at what turned out to be one of the worst possible times in recent history: the 2008 financial crisis.
“We went from being preapproved for $5 million in floorplan to the floorplan company going out of business within 60 days,” Husby says. “It was a wild start to a new business. We worked hard and kept our noses to the grindstone, ensuring every parts and service customer and every new- and used-boat sale was treated like our only sale. The business grew very quickly on our reputation.”
Within a couple of years, the Regal brand, from another hometown manufacturer, became available. The dealership’s name evolved to Regal & Nautique of Orlando. Today, Husby owns and operates 10 dealerships in four states. Seven are WaterSports Central locations in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. Three are Regal & Nautique of Orlando.
Regal & Nautique started with five employees and today has 30. Combined with WaterSports Central locations, Husby employs more than 100 people. And his relationships with Nautique and Regal remain strong. “They are our top two brands,” he says. “To be able to represent two local industry iconic brands is unheard of in our business.”
Regal & Nautique outgrew its location, so the company purchased an entire city block adjacent to the existing property. A Nautique-only dealership opened there in 2024. The company also opened a sales center in the Clermont area in May 2025.
“We picked up Bennington pontoons about two years ago and have been very successful with that brand in central Florida,” Husby says. “We look forward to continued growth in the tritoon segment. We are also a Balise and Revel pontoon dealer.
“In the value segment of the towboats, we had been selling Supreme for seven years, and then last year picked up Centurion,” he adds. “We are currently in the process of signing with a legendary fishboat manufacturer who is also somewhat local to Orlando.”
Regal & Nautique of Orlando has new- and used-boat sales, and consignment sales. The team offers service and parts for Mercury, Mercruiser, Volvo, Yamaha, Indmar and PCM engines, along with gelcoat and detailing. “Our specialty in service is mobile or dockside service,” Husby says. “Approximately 75% of the new units sold in central Florida are purchased without a trailer, so we provide outstanding mobile service at the dock.”
The majority of customers cruise in freshwater lakes, such as the Butler Chain of Lakes in Windermere, the Winter Park Chain of Lakes and the Conway Chain of Lakes. “But we have many customers who trailer and boat in both fresh and salt water or brackish on the river,” he says. “Orlando is less than an hour to the Space Coast, which has some fabulous beaches like Cocoa Beach, Titusville and Melbourne. We sell several larger Regal boats each year to those areas.”
The Operation
Husby says trust is the top thing he stresses with employees. “I want them to trust me, and in turn, the customers trust them,” he says. “We are in the relationship business, and as a result of the handshakes and smiles, the customers receive a great product. They trust us for service after the sale. Reputation is always key, but especially in central Florida. This is a big small town. There are lots of customers, but many of them know each other.
“We also thrive on passion,” he adds. “All of my employees are passionate about the job they are doing.”
One of the biggest challenges this past year, Husby says, has been keeping the staff together and trying to adjust wages and profitability. “The economy has been bumpy in many aspects, so keeping our numbers square with our budget has been a challenge,” he says. “Also, we challenge ourselves to keep up with technology and to use it effectively.”
Another challenge Husby sees is the increasing cost of boating. “Boating has become much more expensive, and I think our industry has gone away from affordable boating compared to prepandemic days,” he says. He is seeing more fractional ownership situations with consumers, such as boat clubs. “That eliminates some of the costs and definitely helps the convenience.”
Marketing Through Engagement
Regal & Nautique emphasizes customer engagement, including through community-focused events. “We have an in-house marketing manager, Paola Latorre, and she and I work together to establish a calendar of events and how we plan to execute each event,” Husby says. “We may outsource certain things, but we try to keep control over what we do with spending and execution in a timely manner.”
The showroom, which has drawn visitors from around the world, is designed around the theme “Experience Excellence,” integrating parts, service, a pro shop and a custom design center for new boats. The dealership also hosts several on-water events each year, including the St. Johns River Run, a customer appreciation gathering that typically attracts 60 to 100 boats and more than 400 participants. There’s also sponsorship of the Wake United Thigh High Surf and Wake Series, which draws about 80 riders over two days.
Husby says Regal & Nautique of Orlando has earned more than 200 manufacturer awards for excellence in sales, service and customer satisfaction. Notable honors include the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Great Dealerships to Work For designation, achieved eight years in a row. The dealership also received the Nautique President’s Award for top performance in sales, market share and customer satisfaction, along with the PCM Pinnacle Award for excellence in sales, service and customer satisfaction. The Thigh High Surf and Wake competition was named Nautique Dealer Event of the Year in 2025.
Husby is planning for slight growth this year and into next year, upgrading an existing service facility and adding personnel. “However,” he adds, “with the political uncertainty, I am being cautious. I’m watching inventory carefully and keeping my finger on the pulse of sales and service.”
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This story originally appeared in the April 2026 issue of Soundings Trade Only.
