Cannons Marina changes hands

Cannons Marina has been sold, and one of Longboat Key’s most tenured figures is calling it a career.

According to a press release, Ingman Marine, which has four locations in Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, Placida and Sarasota, has agreed to purchase Cannons Marina on Longboat Key.

Cannons, which sold Grady-White boats for almost half a century, also brokers and rents and performs maintenance in its marina.

David Miller, who has lived on the Key for 70 years, is co-owner of Cannons with Lucile Capo Miller. David moved to Longboat Key from Michigan at 5, before there was a bridge on the north end of the island.

“David loves to say that was back when rattlesnakes and wild hogs outnumbered people,” said Capo Miller.

Photo by Lori Sax

David’s father, Paul Miller, was an engineer who dredged the Great Lakes and in 1955 came down to Sarasota looking for business opportunities. Driving down Gulf of Mexico Drive, then a dirt road, Paul made a handshake deal with Ernie Cannon to purchase the fish camp started by Cannon in the late '40s.

David grew up working at the marina, selling bait at first. He briefly left for college but came back home to work alongside his father before eventually taking over the company.

Capo Miller also has roots in the area, growing up in Cortez in a commercial fishing family. She and co-owner David, who is her former husband, will be the only employees to leave once the acquisition is complete. Capo Miller said the marina will continue its customer-first approach for which it has become known.

“Our hallmark foundation is that we are a highly customer-centric service brand. We are known to be approachable and here, and our relationships are more than just a transaction. Our customers are more like family and best friends,” she said. “While we aren’t perfect, we certainly try. That’s the feel and the legacy we wanted to leave and hand the baton to.”

All services will remain under the new owners, and Ingrams is also a Grady-White dealer. Ingram CEO Mike Brimer described the acquisition as the combination of two well-respected names. Ingman is a fourth-generation, family-owned business.

“When legacies merge, customers win,” Brimer said in a statement. “That means unmatched expertise, trusted service and award-winning partnership with Grady-White — all continuing for generations to come.”

Capo Miller said choosing Ingrams was a natural fit. She said her and David wanted to sell to a legacy dealer and that they had offers from publicly traded companies and venture capitalists, but was quick to set those offers aside. One of David’s priorities was selling to another “legacy dealer.” There was also a personal relationship between the heads of the respective companies.

“Mike Brimer and I frequently talked and have lunch together and talked about the business,” Capo Miller said. “When the hurricanes came, he was one of the first people to text and offer to help. That’s the level of trust and friendship that we all have.”

Photo by Lori Sax

Capo Miller said she and David will stay involved in the community.

“It has been a great honor to be part of this community for us. And a Grady-White and Yamaha brand ambassador as well. It has been a privilege of a lifetime,” she said. “I can’t say that it’s going to be easy for me, but its time that I hand off the baton too.”

The Cannons Marina name will remain, but with a slight tweak signifying that Ingman operates the marina, Capo Miller said. She will stay on for a short time to help the transition. David’s last day will likely be Oct. 10 before he sets sail on a much-needed vacation.

“He will go home and hang out,” Capo Miller said. “Something he hasn’t done for 70 years.”