Crocker Marine Services designs, builds, and repairs docks, seawalls, and boat lifts throughout Sarasota, Florida, in Sarasota County. Sarasota's waterfront runs along Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay, and the bayous that feed them, from bayfront estates near Bird Key to canal-front homes further south, with the Intracoastal Waterway and Big Sarasota Pass connecting it all to the Gulf. The bay carries protected seagrass, so it shapes what and where you can build.
Marine construction services in Sarasota
Crocker Marine is a full-service marine contractor — docks, seawalls, boat lifts, dredging, and inspections, in-house. See the full range of services or browse completed projects across Southwest Florida.
Docks
Sarasota Bay's seagrass beds and the City of Sarasota's dock code both factor into where a new dock can go and how it's shaped. We build new docks and handle repair, replacement, accessories, and canopies and shade covers.
Seawalls
Sarasota Bay and the canal neighborhoods are largely seawalled, with concrete walls aging out across the older bayfront and bayou properties. We install and replace concrete and vinyl seawalls and extend sound ones with repair and maintenance before a replacement or new wall.
Boat lifts
We install and service boat lifts from Coastal Boat Lifts in Fort Myers, sized to the vessel and slip depth. Repair covers cables, motors, bunks, and controls.
Dredging
Bayou entrances and canal ends around Sarasota can shoal, and Big Sarasota Pass itself has a long history of shifting sand. Our residential dredging restores permitted depth at the dock, with the added care Sarasota Bay's seagrass rules require, permitting handled.
Marine inspections
Given the values on Sarasota's bayfront, our marine inspections give buyers, sellers, and insurers a written condition report on the dock, seawall, and lift.
Permits and local conditions in Sarasota
Most Sarasota waterfront is permitted through the City of Sarasota, with Sarasota County covering areas outside the city and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers covering work below the mean high-water line.
- Seagrass and the aquatic preserve. Sarasota Bay carries protected seagrass beds, and a survey is often required — it can limit dock length, platform size, or lift placement.
- Manatee zones. Sarasota Bay and the connecting waterways are within manatee protection and slow-speed zones.
- Big Sarasota Pass. The pass has a long history of shoaling and shifting, which has been the subject of ongoing regional dredging and beach-renourishment discussion — worth knowing if your access depends on it.
- Modest tide, real wind tides. The astronomical tide is small, but wind can push water levels up or down noticeably in the bay.
Why Sarasota homeowners choose Crocker Marine
- True Price Guarantee. The quoted price is the price you pay — no change orders, excluding rock excavation, client-requested changes, or specialty permitting.
- Licensed and insured. Florida certified building contractor CBC1266139, with $2 million in insurance coverage.
- Regional reach. More than 60 years of combined experience and a showroom at 2101 McGregor Blvd in Fort Myers.
- Warranties. A 15-year seawall warranty and a 1-year dock warranty.
Sarasota marine construction FAQ
Do I need a seagrass survey for a Sarasota dock permit?
Often, given how much of Sarasota Bay carries seagrass. If it's present near your lot, it can affect dock length, platform size, and lift placement. We coordinate the survey as part of permitting.
Who permits dock work in Sarasota — the city or the county?
The City of Sarasota for most of the waterfront, Sarasota County outside the city limits, plus FDEP and the Army Corps for in-water work.
Are there manatee rules on Sarasota Bay?
Yes — the bay and connecting waterways are slow-speed manatee zones, and in-water construction can carry manatee-protection conditions.
How long does a concrete seawall last on Sarasota Bay?
Typically 30 to 50 years depending on construction and soil conditions. Many bayfront and bayou walls are now at or past that range.
Can you work near Big Sarasota Pass or on the barrier keys?
Yes — we build and repair docks, seawalls, and lifts throughout the Sarasota waterfront, from the bayfront to the connecting keys. Request a free estimate or call (239) 841-9674.