A “reimagined” Venetian Marina is docking this spring

What is it: Hoty Enterprises, Inc., is working on a major project at its Venetian Marina property, renovating the dock space and adding a building for dry rack storage. The project is slated to be completed by April, just in time for the 2024 boating season.

“We’re re-imagining Venetian Marina,” says Jeff Damante, marina manager. “This is a substantial upgrade at the marina, adding on the 37,000-square-foot heated rack building for dry rack storage in the summer and regular winter storage.

“I would say, all in all, we are pushing $4 million plus dollars into this. This shows how the company, Hoty Enterprises, Inc., is committed to reinvesting into our facility due to customer demand.”

Holy Enterprises bought the Venetian, which was initially the old Inland Seas Boat Factory property, in 1983 and has been working to make it better ever since. 

“We’re upgrading due to customer demand and the way the boating industry has moved post-COVID,” Damante says. “Customers are wanting more day boats, center-councils, pontoon boats, fishing boats. We no longer specialize in 60-foot houseboats. Now, we’re all over the market.”

Venetian is located on the corner of First Street and Cedar Point Drive, with sister marinas Son Rise and the Bayfront Resort at Cross View located just down First Street.

“We built Cross View next to Son Rise, so we’re really investing into First Street,” Damante says. “Sandusky is a treasure for boaters who want to utilize things other than Cedar Point.”

What is happening: New 50-, 35- and 30-foot floating docks will be constructed of composite materials and concrete, while the new dry rack building will have a boat occupancy of about 250 boats. The work also includes widening the water channels at the marina.

Once the project is completed, the marina is expected to have 375 dock spaces and 250 spaces in its new dry rack storage building.

“We are pretty much the only dry-rack storage show in town,” Damante says. “No one else will have the footprint to do 250-plus racks.”

The project also includes upgrades to the Venetian swimming pool area with new cabanas around the pool and renovations to the grilling patio. The effort is to continue to grow an environment that feels more like a resort than a marina.

“We try to create a resort atmosphere,” Damante says. “We’re not just a place to tie up a boat. We don’t allow transient boaters here. It’s a resort members-only private facility. It’s like being in your own private club.”

How to get involved: Contact the Venetian Marina at hotymarine.com. The site will direct viewers to all the Hoty Marina properties and offers information on storage and marine services offered by the company. People can also call the marina at 419-625-2515.