ABOUT HOLIDAY MARINE

Foundation and Values

The Pillars at Holiday Marine

At Holiday Marine, our employees uphold four key pillars that define who we are. Above these pillars, we place our faith in God and recognize Jesus as our one true Savior. Our faith guides us, and our pillars reflect our commitment to living out that faith in our daily work:

• Integrity & Honesty: We stand for transparency and truth in all our dealings, building trust with everyone we serve.
• Compassion & Service: We are dedicated to serving others with kindness and empathy, reflecting the love of Christ in our actions.
• Stewardship & Responsibility: We honor our role as stewards by managing our resources wisely and responsibly.
• Community & Hospitality: We foster a welcoming community, creating an atmosphere of warmth and belonging.

With God as our foundation, these four pillars hold up our commitment to faith-driven excellence in everything we do.

Our Story

Holiday Marine has been family owned and operated since 1999, but our story stretches all the way back to 1947, when the original Holiday Marine was founded as one of Central Florida's earliest full-service marine dealerships. In 1999, the dealership was purchased by Don and Patti Keister, who carried forward its legacy with a commitment to customer service, honesty, and a deep love for the boating lifestyle.

A New Generation of Leadership

In 2021, Holiday Marine entered its next chapter when Michael Dolan, Don and Patti's son, purchased the dealership at fair market value, using an independent valuation firm to ensure transparency and protect the integrity of both the family and the business. Michael built the pathway to ownership through two businesses he founded, Adventure Boat Share and Lake Harris Boat Rentals, which provided the resources necessary to acquire the dealership without relying on family gifts.

This approach allowed family gatherings to stay focused on what matters most…family, not business transactions.

Our Mission: Boating for Everyone

At Holiday Marine, our mission is simple:
To expand boating to all price points so everyone in our community can experience the joy of life on the water.

We believe boating creates memories that last a lifetime, and we proudly work every day to make that opportunity accessible to as many people as possible.

The Holiday Marine Family

Holiday Marine is more than a dealership, it’s a family built on experience, loyalty, and a shared passion for helping people enjoy life on the water. Many of our team members have been with us for decades, and their dedication is a major part of what makes Holiday Marine truly special.

At the heart of that legacy is Bill Nielsen, who has been with Holiday Marine since before Don and Patti purchased the dealership in 1999. Bill embodies the continuity and commitment that define who we are, and his institutional knowledge has helped carry Holiday Marine through every chapter of its history.

Our leadership team is anchored by Steve Helmberger, our General Manager. Steve oversees sales and service operations and works closely with our banking partners to secure the best possible rates for our customers. His professionalism, experience, and drive ensure that every deal is handled the right way and that every customer feels supported.

Many customers already know Santana Moretto, the friendly, charismatic face of our YouTube walk-throughs and new-boat videos. Santana helps connect customers to the right vessel and brings energy and enthusiasm to everything he does.

When you need service support, you'll often speak with Justin Foote, our service coordinator. Justin may be direct, but he is relentlessly committed to making sure your concerns are addressed and that your expectations are exceeded, every time you interact with our service department.

Behind the scenes, solving the toughest mechanical challenges is Andre Caron, our Master Technician. Customers routinely drive across the state just to have Andre diagnose and repair issues that other shops couldn’t resolve. His expertise is rare in this industry, and it is one of the reasons Holiday Marine has such a strong reputation for service excellence.

Holiday Marine is supported by a talented and highly trained service team that keeps our operation running smoothly every day. Zach Wilson is our go-to expert for all electronic systems, from sonar and GPS to networked components and advanced diagnostics, ensuring your technology performs flawlessly on the water. Troy Minnich, a former Professor at the Marine Mechanics Institute, a distinction that is highly respected in the industry, brings deep technical knowledge and instructional level expertise to every repair. Bryson Hunter, our lead rigger, handles everything from engine installations to accessory rigging with precision and pride. Scott James & Chris Gorski, our delivery and yard coordinators, ensures boats move efficiently through our yard and are staged, prepped, and delivered with care. And behind every polished, showroom-ready vessel is Gisella Reyes, our senior detailer, who treats each boat as if it were her own.

And while only a few names are mentioned here, the Holiday Marine Group is powered by more than a dozen additional team members whose effort, passion, and craftsmanship deserve equal recognition. In keeping with our tradition, inclusion on the About Us page is reserved for employees with more than two years of continuous service, yet every member of our team plays an essential role in the experience we deliver.

Resilience Through Adversity

Resilience Through Adversity Like many Florida-based businesses, Holiday Marine faced significant setbacks and property damage as a result of Hurricane Milton. The storm tested our infrastructure, our operations, and our resolve. Beyond the physical rebuilding, our family has also endured a profound personal loss that has shaped us in quieter, deeper ways. Rather than retreat, we chose to move forward with intention—repairing, upgrading, and strengthening our facilities, systems, and processes. Today, Holiday Marine stands stronger and more resilient than before, better equipped to serve our customers and support our continued growth for decades to come.

What We Offer

We provide a complete marine experience, all under one roof.

New & Pre-Owned Boat Sales

Holiday Marine offers one of the most diverse selections of boats in Central Florida, with options tailored for every budget, lifestyle, and on-the-water adventure. We proudly represent leading brands including:

• Ranger Boats — Bass, Bay, Aluminum, and Pontoon
• Godfrey Pontoons
• Hurricane Deck Boats
• Bayliner Boats
• Harris Pontoons
• NauticStar Center Consoles
• Vexus Boats

We also assist with consignment boats and offer guidance to customers interested in buying or selling used boats.

In addition to new inventory, Holiday Marine has a unique partnership with the distributors who manage vessels for Walt Disney World®. We acquire select pre-owned boats from the theme parks, refurbish them, and offer them for sale—including the popular Sun Tracker 24' Party Barge and 22' Fishing Barge.

We believe boating should be accessible to everyone—which is why we offer boats ranging from $1,000 to $300,000. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking for your next premium upgrade, our team is committed to helping you find the perfect fit.

Repower Center

Holiday Marine provides complete outboard engine repower solutions to bring new life to your current boat. We proudly repower Yamaha, Suzuki, and Mercury engines.

Because we sell a high volume across all three lines, we receive top-tier discount levels from each manufacturer—something truly unique in the marine industry. Most dealerships reach peak buying power with only one brand and naturally push that manufacturer exclusively.

At Holiday Marine, we're different. Our equal buying power across all three engine lines allows us to offer unbiased recommendations, ensuring you get the best engine for your boat, your performance goals, and your budget.

Full Service Department

Our certified technicians handle everything from routine annual maintenance to advanced diagnostics and complex repairs. Holiday Marine is proud to have technicians certified by every major engine manufacturer, as well as a Master Technician—a level of expertise that is rare and highly sought after in the marine industry.

Ship Store

Fully stocked with essential boating accessories, safety equipment, electronics, and parts.

In-House Finance Department

We offer streamlined financing for buying a boat, repowering your existing rig, or upgrading your setup. Holiday Marine partners with top marine-industry lenders to offer competitive rates, and we work with leading subprime lenders to provide opportunities for every boater. No matter your budget or credit situation, our team is committed to finding a solution that gets you on the water.

Boat Rentals & Boat Club Access

Whether you want to rent a boat for the day with Lake Harris Boat Rentals or Lake Dora Boat Rentals, or enjoy unlimited boating through Adventure Boat Share, we make boating easy and accessible.

Growth Under New Leadership

Since Michael purchased Holiday Marine in 2021, the company has experienced significant growth and transformation, both within the dealership and across its affiliated marine businesses. Building on Holiday Marine’s long standing foundation, Michael has modernized operations, strengthened community impact, and expanded the company’s reach throughout Central Florida.

Our ethos is built on expansion—continually growing our footprint, our fleet, and the opportunities we offer our customers. Holiday Marine is an expansionist power by in-house training and by culture, always moving forward, always building, and always creating new ways for families to experience life on the water.

Holiday Marine has also added new boat lines for the first time in over a decade—Vexus Boats and Harris Pontoons—a major accomplishment in today's competitive marine industry.

Beyond the dealership, Michael founded Lake Dora Boat Rentals and has grown Adventure Boat Share into one of the region's fastest-expanding boating clubs, now serving more than 200 active members across four locations. What began on the Harris Chain of Lakes has expanded into new markets—including Crystal River—demonstrating the strength and scalability of the Adventure Boat Share model.

This continued growth reflects Michael's commitment to Holiday Marine's core mission:
to expand boating access at every price point and help families create memories that last a lifetime.

Creating Memories on the Water

From financing your first boat, to repowering your trusted vessel, to renting a pontoon for a family outing—or simply picking up a bilge pump—it's all part of fulfilling our promise:

Helping our community get on the water, stay on the water, and make memories that last a lifetime.

Holiday Marine is proud to serve Central Florida, and we are grateful for every family who chooses to be part of ours.

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