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Captain’s Choice Boats, Inc.

"Make The First Choice The Right Choice"

About Us

Since 2003, Captain’s Choice Boats has been a trusted name in boat sales and service across Destin and Fort Walton Beach, proudly supporting boating communities throughout Santa Rosa Beach, Shalimar, Crestview, and Navarre.
We offer a premier selection of new and pre-owned boats, along with a full range of marine accessories to enhance your time on the water. Our services extend beyond the sale, with expert boat servicing, outboard maintenance, and dependable repair solutions delivered by our experienced marine technicians.
At Captain’s Choice Boats, our knowledgeable team is passionate about helping you find the perfect vessel to enjoy Florida’s stunning Gulf Coast. With a reputation built on quality, expertise, and exceptional customer care, we’re your complete destination for everything boating.

Areas Served

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

Locally-Owned
Veteran-Owned

Our Services include:

Full-Service Boat Dealership
Outboard Marine Service

Our Brands include:

Sailfish Boats
Avalon Pontoon
Stingray Boats
AquaSport Boats
Blue Wave Boats
Mercury
Suzuki
Yamaha
McClain Trailers
Load-Rite Trailers

Our Products include:

New & Used Boats
Trailers
Marine Accessories

Testimonials

On 9/25/2026 Mark Ladtkow had this to say:
Absolutely phenomenal boat-buying experience with Captain’s Choice Boats, Inc.! Dean and his family/team went above and beyond to make the entire process enjoyable, professional, and completely stress-free. They worked around our schedule to accommodate vessel inspections and viewings, coordinated additional professional pontoon detailing, arranged a highly discounted engine service—simply for my peace of mind—and conducted a thorough sea trial where the team patiently walked us through the boat’s many impressive features, systems, and operations. Dean’s incredibly friendly, easygoing personality, combined with the genuine support of his family and staff, made what can sometimes be a stressful purchase an exceptionally positive experience. We ultimately motored away with a beautiful, quality pre-owned boat and complete confidence in our purchase. If you’re looking for a professional, knowledgeable, and relaxed boat-buying experience without the high-pressure sales tactics, unnecessary upselling, or add-ons, look no further than Captain’s Choice Boats! You don’t just leave with a great boat, quality equipment, and the confidence that you’ll receive reputable service—you leave with a new family friend. Thank you, Dean, and the entire Captain’s Choice Boats team! We truly appreciate everything you did for us and we will absolutely be calling you first for any of our future boating needs. Five stars all the way! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

On 8/21/2026 I A M L O G E N had this to say:
Me and my family were visiting from Texas and our boat ended up “breaking” on the way here. We went to at least 3 other shops and they were trying to tell me I needed repairs that were unnecessary that would have cost us an arm and a leg. We ended up calling Captains Choice and Craig took a look and told us what the real issue was. He saved us spending unnecessary money and really saved the rest of our vacation here! We are so grateful and we would give 100 stars if we could. We will definitely be using them if we need them next time we are in town!

On 8/20/2026 Alexis had this to say:
Such amazing staff here. We are visiting from Texas, and somehow along the drive, our trim system on our boat blew out. Every boat shop we went to was charging $3,200+( For something that we didn’t even need, which we didn’t find out until we came to Captains Choice!!) We ended up finding Captains Choice on Google and they took such good care of us!! Would 10/10 recommend!

On 8/14/2026 Anthony Restivo had this to say:
Captain’s Choice has been the most responsive and helpful marine repair shop in this area. They are very knowledgeable and fair to their customers. If you are looking for a shop to handle small jobs from replacing water pumps to large jobs such as re-powering your boat give Captian’s Choice a call and ask for Craig! I highly recommend this shop as they took the time to explain the issues with the boat and were very quick to repair. I will hands down be coming back for all of my boat service and repair. Thanks again to you and your team for everything!

Contact Us

Captain’s Choice Boats, Inc.
538 Eglin Pkwy NE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Phone: (850) 862-9111
Email: info@choiceboats.net

Located near Publix

Where To Find Us

Payment Types Accepted

American Express, Android Pay, Apple Pay, Debit Cards, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Our Hours

Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: By Appointment Only

News

Dreaming of days on the water? At Captain's Choice Boats, we make it easy to get out and enjoy the boating lifestyle. From new and pre-owned boats to expert service, parts, financing, and trade-in assistance, our team is here to help every step of the way.
Whether you're upgrading your current boat or shopping for your first one, you'll find friendly service and quality options to fit your needs. Plus, our experienced service department can help keep your boat performing at its best all year long.
📍 538 Eglin Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL

Stop by today and let's get you on the water! 🌴⚓🚤
#CaptainsChoiceBoats #BoatLife #FortWaltonBeach #BoatingSeason #MarineService #OnTheWater #FloridaBoating

Whether you're looking for a new boat, a quality pre-owned model, or expert marine service, Captain's Choice Boats has you covered. We offer a wide selection of boats, financing assistance, parts, and professional service to help keep your adventures going all season long.

✅ New & Pre-Owned Boats
✅ Marine Service & Repairs
✅ Parts & Accessories
✅ Financing Available
✅ Trade-In Options

Visit Captain's Choice Boats in Fort Walton Beach and let our experienced team help you find the perfect boat for your lifestyle.
📍 538 Eglin Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL

#BoatingLife #FortWaltonBeach #CaptainsChoiceBoats #OnTheWater #BoatSales

⭐ Service Sells the Next Boat ⭐

At Captain's Choice Boats, we believe great customer service doesn't end when the paperwork is signed. It builds trust, creates lasting relationships, and keeps customers coming back.

We're honored to share these words from Avalon Customer Service Team Lead Shaun Davenport:

"Service sells the next boat!

You all did a fantastic job, and your hard work didn't go unnoticed! Not only by the customer, but by us as well. Thank you for everything you did to make this situation right.

You stepped up when many others wouldn't have, demonstrating the kind of commitment and professionalism that builds lasting relationships. Outstanding service creates customer confidence, and customer confidence leads to future business.

I have no doubt that because of the way you handled this situation, this company will continue to do business with you and purchase more boats in the future.

Thank you again for your dedication and for representing both your dealership and the Avalon brand so well. It is greatly appreciated."

Recognition like this reflects the dedication of our entire team and our commitment to taking care of customers long after the sale.

Thank you, Shaun and Avalon Pontoons, for the kind words and continued partnership.

Congratulations to Hunter Meyer on the purchase of this beautiful Sailfish 232CC!
Hunter recently stopped by Captain's Choice Boats in Fort Walton Beach to pick up his new ride, and we couldn't be happier for him. Pictured here with Captain's Choice owner Dean Schellhase, Hunter is ready to hit the water and make some unforgettable memories aboard his new Sailfish.
Thank you, Hunter, for trusting Captain's Choice Boats with your boat-buying experience. We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you out on the water!
⚓ Enjoy your new Sailfish 232CC, Hunter, and welcome to the Captain's Choice family!

⚓ Keep Your Outboard Running at Its Best! ⚓
Whether you're gearing up for a weekend on the water or preparing for your next fishing trip, regular outboard maintenance can help keep your engine performing smoothly and reliably. At Captain's Choice Boats, our service department is here to help with professional marine service and repairs so you can spend more time enjoying the water and less time dealing with unexpected issues.
Schedule your service today and keep your boat adventure-ready all season long!
📍 538 Eglin Pkwy NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
📞 850-862-9111

FAQ

What types of boats does Captain’s Choice Boats sell?

We offer a diverse selection of both new and used boats. Our range includes fishing boats, pontoons, cruisers, and more, catering to various needs and preferences for exploring Florida's waterways.

What does your full-service boat dealership include?

Our full-service dealership provides a comprehensive array of services including sales, financing assistance, boat accessories, and expert consultations to help you find the perfect boat for your lifestyle.

How often should I have my boat serviced?

Regular maintenance is key to keeping your boat in top condition. We recommend having your boat serviced at least once a year or every 100 hours of operation, whichever comes first, to ensure optimal performance.

What is included in your outboard marine service?

Our outboard marine service includes thorough inspections, diagnostics, routine maintenance, and repairs. We handle everything from oil changes to complex engine repairs with expertise and care.

Can I schedule a test-drive before purchasing a boat?

Absolutely! We encourage potential buyers to schedule a test-drive to experience the boat's performance and features firsthand. Contact us to arrange an appointment that fits your schedule.