Marine Mover: Southwest Florida Yachts names new general manager

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. – Steve Whitbeck has joined Southwest Florida Yachts as general manager, a new position, to oversee day-to-day operations of the yacht chartering operation and its live-aboard boating school, Florida Sailing & Cruising School, the company reported in a recent statement.

Most recently, Whitbeck was service manager for Yachting Vacations in Punta Gorda, Fla. Earlier, he was associated with Gulf Marine in Clearwater, Fla. and, before that, Norwest Marine in Norwalk, Conn.

Born in Buffalo, N.Y., Whitbeck grew up boating on the Niagara River above the famous falls. He credits this with teaching him the importance of making sure everything about his boat was in good condition and operating well. “I had to make sure everything about the boat was perfect,” he said. “In that fast current, the motor had to be perfect. Anchors and ground tackle, perfect. Radio, perfect. And, in fact, that’s what customers expect, too.”

Southwest Florida Yachts charters a fleet of trawler and motor yachts and sailing vessels for cruising the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.