Destin Boat Sales by The Ships Chandler

You Should Buy A Boat!

Posted on 12/15/2011

Many of our Ocean Reef Resort guests already know that Destin is becoming increasingly well known and indeed world renowned for our beautiful beaches due to the pure white quartz crystals which comprises the sand here. This makes the Destin beaches here among the brightest shores in the world. You've heard the descriptions before...snow white, sugar white and powder white sand with a backdrop of emerald green water. This pretty much describes what visitors flock to find here to experience for themselves along with a myriad of championship golf courses, world class resorts, discounted designer shopping, live musical entertainment and even urbane, sophisticated dining.

Destin Fishing


However if you are ever fortunate enough to go out on a boat into Choctawhatchee Bay, Crab Island or the Gulf of Mexico, you realize it's not about the beaches or anything else for that matter...it's all about the water! After all the clear, jewel toned liquid itself is absolutely gorgeous and there is a lot of it. Besides the dazzling gulf we also have the bay that extends between three to five miles across from Destin to the mainland. It is fed by almost 8,700 square miles of fresh water from the pristine forests to the north, is considered one of the cleanest waterways in America and supports a huge amount of fish as well as natural wildlife. The surface area of the bay alone encompasses 80 square miles which sandwiches our peninsula between both the bay and the gulf. Due to this fact, even though we are connected by bridges toward the east, west and north, Destin and Miramar Beach really resembles an off shore island that sits literally miles out into the southern gulf. This is also why Destin became known as "the luckiest fishing village in the world" because this ideal location places it in a perfect position to harvest the abundant amount of fish that thrive here.

Generations of fishermen and anglers have made their living in Destin by reaping the harvest of fish from both the bay and the gulf since the mid 1800s. One of these highly reputable family fishing enterprises is called The Ship's Chandler, at 646 Harbor Boulevard which sits on a high bluff overlooking the scenic Destin harbor and has a twenty-two slip marina. This family run operation was established by Peter Wright back in 1980. Peter, a Destin native, fell in love with fishing at a young age when he used to work the docks and boats as a kid. He became a boat captain at an early age and has helped win numerous fishing tournaments over the years here in Destin as well as the Caribbean. Once, he even fished for Black Marlin off the coast of northern Australia. Captains Peter Wright as well as his sons Peter Wright, Jr. and William still run the family business. They specialize in selling boats that are used specifically by avid anglers which include Hewes, Pathfinder, Rampage, Contenders, Maverick, Regulators and Alumacraft. The Ship's Chandler also does custom boat work for electronics installation, fiberglass, metal fabrication and the re-powering of engines. They are the only Yamaha Authorized Warranty Service Center in the area which provides parts, service, prepping and rigging for a wide array of boats and even yachts. This operation is also a Five Star Marine Industry Certified Dealer with an emphasis on professionalism, honesty, integrity, respect and customer courtesy. The Ship's Chandler is the main sponsor for the popular Grass Flats Classic Redfish Tournament which is held every year in March.


Peter Wright, Sr. started the one day Grass Flats Classic Redfish Tournament back in 1983 and usually offers $10,000 for first prize as well as another cash prize for second place. All the catches are for Redfish with the highest combined aggregate weights of two of these fish determining who wins the awards for first and second place. Redfish average anywhere from six to eight pounds each and are between eighteen to twenty-seven inches in length. They are also mighty good eating.

Due to Peter Wright's extensive native angler expertise he is well known among area captains  and others for his knowledge on the subject. In fact every Thursday morning from 7:20 to 7:40 am his fishing reports are carried on Sports Radio 100.3 FM. His weekly fishing report  lets anglers know where to go, what bait to use, and what kind of fishing to expect in the area waters depending upon the various seasons and what fish are running. He covers all conditions for inland waters, deep sea fishing in the gulf as well as local lakes and rivers that feed into the bay.

The Wright passion for angling led to the natural progression of his boat business at The Ship's Chandler since they specialize in state of the art boats that are specifically designed for fishing rather than "pleasure craft". However as any devoted, avid angler will tell you, there is nothing more pleasurable than being on the kind of fishing boat that is designed to catch the bounty of the sea!

As always, here at Ocean Reef Resorts it is our pleasure to offer our guests a wide variety of distinctive, Destin Vacation Rentals all shapes and sizes. Just check out our user friendly website to review multiple photos of these prime selections. Like generations of devoted Ocean Reef guests, you will find the perfect place that is sure to suit the needs of family and friends. We hope that those of you who are "landlubbers" are able to experience what locals have known for many years. It's not just all about the beach, it's really all about the water and The Ship's Chandler can get you started.  Happy angling!

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