The Marina & Seaplane Base re-build project is on hyperspeed under FINAL design. 

Reconstruction is under FINAL design.  The brand new boat docks, seaplane docks and fueling dock should be completed and available for use by late fall 2020.

In the meantime, many boaters and seaplane pilots are enjoying mooring up along the Tavares shoreline, fueling at the fuel pumps or unloading and loading passengers at the temporary docks. The Tavares Marina & Seaplane Base is located at 150 E Ruby Street. For more please call 352.742.6267.

Update #6: Friday, September 6, 2019

The Tavares Marina and Seaplane Base rebuild project is on hyperspeed. Reconstruction is under design.  The brand new boat docks, seaplane docks and fueling dock should be completed and available for use by late fall 2020

The storm was born on Aug. 30, 2017, near Africa. It surged into a catastrophic Category 5 with 185 mph winds. It hit the Keys as a Cat 4 and plowed north, passing through the Tavares area the night of Sunday, Sept. 10, and the morning of Sept. 11, 2017. In Lake County, 69 mph gusts were measured at 3:46 a.m. at the Leesburg International Airport five miles west of the Tavares Marina and Seaplane Base.

How long does it take to build a large city project?

The rule of thumb in a typical governmental agency is that it takes:

1. One year to decide whether to do the project (The docks were already built so we don’t have to spend the time deciding).
2. One year to find the money (The good news is the city had purchased “replacement insurance and betterment insurance” on the Marina and Seaplane Base).
3. One year to design (currently nearing completion), engineer and permit a project (obtain permits from the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection, United States Army Corps of Engineers, and St. John’s Water Management District).
4. One year to construct a project — and that’s a fast-track community project.

The Tavares Pavilion on the Lake took six years to build, and the new Public Safety Complex took seven years to build.

When are the docks going to return re-built?

The docks were already built so we don’t have to spend one year deciding whether to do the project. So, the good news for the docks...it’s not four years, but three years! We estimate they should be up and ready for use by late fall 2020. The Marina and Seaplane Base will be better than before.

Below: Historical photo of the Tavares Marina & Seaplane Base after Hurricane Irma

Photo Credit: City of Tavares Public Works Department 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2019 

TAVARES, FLORIDA

“America’s Seaplane City” invites YOU to join us Saturday, October 26th starting at 9:00 am at beautiful Wooton Park. Seaplane pilots will receive a $10 dining voucher to participating downtown restaurants. The 2019 Monster Splash seaplane flying contents will begin at 11:00 am, featuring: Fastest Takeoff, Pumpkin Bomb Drop, Spot Landing & Accuracy Landing. Awards and prizes to follow contests! REGISTER TODAY!

9:00 am WELCOME!

9-9:45 am REGISTRATION

Pick up your restaurant voucher and an ice-cold bottle of Tavares water. Confirm contest participation.

10:00 am BRIEFING FOR CONTESTS*

«Pilots that wish to compete MUST attend this meeting.«

11:00 am CONTESTS:

Fastest Takeoff ▪ Pumpkin Bomb Drop ▪ Spot Landing ▪ Accuracy Landing Followed by awards

QUESTIONS? Contact the Event Coordinator: CHERI MOAN

Phone: (352) 742-6176 or Email: cmoan@tavares.org

 TAVARES SEAPLANE BASE & MARINA

AIRPORT IDENTIFIER: FA1 UNICOM FREQUENCY: 122.975

GPS COORDINATES: 28˚.48.043 N – 81˚.43.655 W

Parking: Once on the water, check in with the AirBoss on the UNICOM frequency for directions to parking: Apron, Beach or Dock. Apron parking is limited, first-come, first-served after exhibitor display aircraft. Pilots should be prepared to dock or beach and tie up appropriately.

Ramp: Any seaplane with a gross weight greater than 3,000 lbs or landing gear extending more than 36 inches need to approach with caution due to low water levels.

Fuel: The Seaplane Base & Marina sells 100LL aviation fuel and 90 octane ethanol-free recreational fuel. Aviation fuel is available on the dock and apron, recreational fuel is available on the apron. The price will be set by the market.

Prop Shop at Woodlea: An atmosphere that can be described as a mix of Key West and Cape Cod, with a splash of seaplane! The Prop Shop sells snacks, gifts, and apparel, including “America’s Seaplane City” gear and Tavares Seaplane Base novelties!

QUESTIONS? Contact the Aviation Manager: KENDALL CLUTTS Phone: (352) 253-4267 or Email: kclutts@tavares.org

2019 MONSTER SPLASH

REGISTRATION

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2019 IN TAVARES, FL

- PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY –

PILOT’S NAME:______________________________________________

AIRCRAFT MAKE & MODEL: ___________________________________

AIRCRAFT #:_______________________________________________

ENGINE HP:                     _______________________________________________

PHONE CONTACT: ___________________________________________

EMAIL:             ___________________________________________________

MAILING ADDRESS:                                     _______________________________________

AIRCRAFT NICKNAME (FOR ANNOUNCERS): ___________________________

ex. “The Grey Ghost”, “Some Like It Hot”, “The Red Baron”

MARK ALL CONTESTS YOU WISH TO ENTER:

[     ] FASTEST TAKEOFF                        [     ] PUMPKIN BOMB DROP

[     ] SPOT LANDING                              [     ] ACCURACY LANDING

All pilots MUST attend the pilot briefing at 10:00am to compete.

EMAIL THIS COMPLETED FORM TO:

Cheri Moan ▪ cmoan@tavares.org ▪ 352.742.6176

QUESTIONS? Contact the AirBoss: JON PAWELKOP Phone: (813)679-6804 ▪ jonpawelkop@airbosssolutions.com