Vinings Delivers the Best

By Robin Magrisi

Established in 2004, Vinings Marine Group (VMG) is changing the face of marinas around the country. From fresh to saltwater environments, its collection of properties boasts immaculate, updated facilities with know-ledgeable and courteous staff. With a focus on East Coast oceanfront locations from New York to North Carolina, VMG also owns and operates lakeside marinas in Kansas, Iowa, Michigan, Georgia and Alabama. Establishing service and amenity standards consistent from one location to the next, VMG is poised to be the principal owner-operator of public marina facilities in the country.

Locally, VMG’s four premier locations cater to boaters and anglers who live and visit Hampton Roads waters throughout the year: Willoughby Harbor Marina, Bay Point Marina, Little Creek Marina and Taylor’s Landing Marine Center, with individual personalities complementary of each locale.

“VMG has hand-selected Norfolk’s marina locations for their accessibility to exceptional fishing as well as ability to service customers effectively,” says Brian Baker, regional manager. “Most notably, fishermen are sure to appreciate the efforts we’ve undertaken to continually upgrade and expand the offerings here in Hampton Roads without compromising personal service and local knowledge.”

Willoughby Harbor Marina has a seasoned reputation as a sailing haven. The 271-slip marina is cradled in the crook of Willoughby Spit with direct access to the calm waters of Willoughby Bay, ideal for hosting weekly sailboat races. Full utilities, ample on-site parking, a restaurant, bathrooms and showers round out the destination.

Bay Point Marina caters to pleasurecraft and waterfront lifestyle enthusiasts. More than 310 floating slips are available and include 30 or 50 amp power plus optional cable television and telephone access. Most recently, the addition of the new Paradocks East Coast Grill (PDX) offers lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with a two-story deck overlooking the waterfront. Inside, five flat-screen televisions keep patrons up-to-date with all the latest games and scores while diners who choose to stay aboard their boats enjoy dockside service.

In addition to hosting the annual Hampton Roads Regatta to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital each August, Bay Point also is the celebration site for National Marina Day 2008 on August 9th. The free event features family-friendly programming, facility tours, guest speakers, marine education, industry vendors and complementary food, beverages and live music.

Big sister to Bay Point, Little Creek Marina is your first choice for unparalleled access to the venerable Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. An easy ten-minute run to the series of pilings and artificial reefs that attract a variety of gamefish is made even easier by the wide and natural Little Creek Channel. Kept clear to facilitate the smooth passage of US Navy vessels, the channel reaches up to 12 feet deep in the shallows and ensures speedy access to the area’s inshore and offshore hotspots without wasted time in no-wake zones or navigating bridges. Little Creek Marina also is an official state citation and IGFA weigh station.

The marina’s proximity to the upscale shopping and dining of neighboring East Beach community is a welcome distraction, so leave your boat in one of the 380 floating and dry storage slips available here, complete with impeccable service at every turn, while you explore the area by foot or bicycle.

Just around the corner, Taylor’s Landing Marine Center is the newest VMG acquisition. Its country club atmosphere includes a pool, showers, locker rooms and three picnic areas perfect for families. Capable of hosting boats up to 55 feet long, it features 220 wet slips and a dry storage boatel with room for 448 vessels. Traditional, home-cooked meals from locals’ favorite Surf Rider restaurant satisfy every appetite, and the new tiki bar is the perfect place to celebrate a prize-winning catch. Full-service broker Marine Concepts Yacht Sales also provides buy and sell service from a “salty” team of seasoned professionals on-site.

Norfolk’s bountiful waters attract fishermen from far and wide, many for a one-of-a-kind offshore experience. With a host of charter captains who make the VMG marinas their home base, anglers are sure to hook up with exceptional escorts who know Hampton Roads’ waters like their own backyards. Marina staff also exhibit a practiced familiarity when it comes to bait, tackle and information on what’s biting and where.

“VMG’s group of Hampton Roads marinas provide the full complement of amenities for a family outing by the water or a competitive fishing excursion,” adds Baker. “We want boaters to know they can count on every VMG facility to deliver the best service and product available on the water every time they visit.”