SPORT BOATS
58
TREASURE COAST BOATING
have to be able to get through shallow waters to avoid getting
stuck by extreme tide changes.
With its extremely shallow draft, the Marsh Hen model
is 15 feet long with a 48-inch beam. It weighs less than 200
pounds. It can be transported by truck to shallow marshes.
“It will pole in spit,” said Castlow. “It has that same quiet
factor. You can stay longer than any other boat and come out
with the tide. You can put wheels on it to pull it down to the
beach or launch it in a canal.”
Dragonfly’s biggest customer is Florida’s own environmentalist,
singer and author, Jimmy Buffet. The part-time Palm
Beacher purchased more than 30 paddleboards and has them
stationed at the places he likes to visit. He works as a kind of
celebrity designer for the company.
Another facet of the business is Dragonfly Coatings, which
uses hydrographic printing to apply exotic patterns from
camouflage to teak on gunstocks, Jeep fenders, Crocs sandals
and tire rims. “If it stands still long enough, we will dip it,”
Castlow said. “They bring it in and we coat it.”
Every boat that leaves the shop has a plaque attesting that
it was custom built for the owner. These are not entry-level
boats, but there is a market in outdoorsmen who know what
they want in a flats boat.
Castlow and his company walk the walk when it comes to
environmental activism. He recently donated two paddleboards
for use at the Mote Marine Center in the Florida Keys.
Dragonfly Boatworks has also adopted a spoil island on the
Indian River in Vero Beach. The company is cleaning and
maintaining Dragonfly Island near Harbor Branch Oceano-
Florida’s own Jimmy Buffet, shown on his Dragonfly SUP, >>
is the most famous ambassador for the company. The
singer has more than 30 of them stationed at his favorite
locations where he likes to spend free time on the water.
Fifteen employees at the factory next
to Dodgertown in Vero Beach turn out
dozens of custom flats boats and SUPs
designed to meet the specific needs
of fishermen.
GREG GARDNER