Crocker Marine Services designs, builds, and repairs docks, seawalls, and boat lifts on Longboat Key, Florida — a barrier island that's unusual in spanning two counties: the town's southern half sits in Sarasota County and its northern half in Manatee County, with Sarasota Bay on one side and the Gulf on the other. The Town of Longboat Key applies one code across both halves, but which county your permit ultimately touches depends on where the property sits.
Marine construction services on Longboat Key
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
Bay-side docks on Longboat Key are more sheltered than the exposed Gulf beach frontage, and most residential dock work here is on the bay side. We build new docks and handle repair, replacement, accessories, and canopies and shade covers.
Seawalls
Sarasota Bay-facing seawalls on Longboat Key are a mix of concrete and vinyl, and the town's design standards are among the stricter ones on this coast. We install and replace both and keep sound walls going 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 bay depth. Repair covers cables, motors, bunks, and controls.
Dredging
Bay-side canals and slips can shoal. Our residential dredging restores permitted depth, permitting handled.
Marine inspections
Given the values on Longboat Key, our marine inspections give buyers, sellers, and insurers a written condition report on the dock, seawall, and lift.
Permits and local conditions on Longboat Key
Marine construction on Longboat Key is permitted through the Town of Longboat Key, with the underlying county — Sarasota or Manatee, depending on which half of the island the property is on — along with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for work below the mean high-water line.
- Two counties, one town. Longboat Key's town code applies island-wide, but the underlying county changes at the Sarasota–Manatee line partway up the key.
- Bay vs. Gulf. Sarasota Bay frontage is sheltered; Gulf-front beach lots face open water and different design standards.
- Strict town design review. Longboat Key's code is detailed on setbacks and structure design, and that extends to docks and seawalls.
- Manatee zones and seagrass. Sarasota Bay carries protected seagrass and slow-speed manatee zones that factor into permitting.
Why Longboat Key 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.
Longboat Key marine construction FAQ
Does my permit go through Sarasota County or Manatee County?
It depends where on the key your property sits — the town spans both counties. We confirm the right jurisdiction as part of the permitting process.
Who permits dock and seawall work on Longboat Key?
The Town of Longboat Key, with the underlying county, plus FDEP and the Army Corps for in-water work.
Do seagrass or manatee rules affect construction on Sarasota Bay?
Yes — the bay carries protected seagrass and slow-speed manatee zones, both of which factor into dock design and permitting.
Do you build on the Gulf side as well as the bay side?
Most residential dock work is on the bay side; Gulf-front lots are evaluated on their own exposure. Request a free estimate or call (239) 841-9674.
How strict is the Town of Longboat Key's design review?
Detailed — the town's code is one of the more thorough ones on this coast, and we design to it from the start.
Nearby service areas
Sarasota · Anna Maria · Cortez