The Moose Landing Marina’s new owner, Steve Arnold, and his boating dog Baily pose next to Service Manager John Foss on Tuesday afternoon. (De Busk Photo)

By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Mainer Steve Arnold grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he worked at a marina during his high school years. The boating atmosphere got him hooked.

Since January 2004, he has owned Yarmouth Boat Yard — a successful business that dates back to 1948.

As of last Friday, when the real estate deal was signed, Arnold is the new owner of Moose Landing Marina in Naples. Longtime owner Dan Craffey said he decided to retire from the marina, and focus on other business ventures.

Arnold said he met the local businessman about five years ago through the boating shows they attended during the winter months.

“Dan Craffey did an excellent job building the marina. He has put a lot of time and money into the marina, and he has built it into an excellent location,” Arnold said.

“It’s a first class operation. It has a great staff. I am looking forward to working with those people this year,” he said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Arnold was on site — touching base with his employees and walking around the property located on the north shore of Brandy Pond.

As part of the agreement, Arnold will lease the dry dock boat storage unit in Bridgton as well.

Arnold plans on nothing less than a busy summer because he will be operating both marinas. The 40-minute commute between the coast and the Lake Region will be a piece of cake, he said.

It is a drive he wants to make more hassle-free for his customers. Clientele at both marinas will have the advantage of doubling their day trip venues. Staff will take care of boat transportation between marinas.

It is a service Arnold calls, “slip reciprocity.”

“I already have a lot of customers who boat in the Lakes Region,” he said.

“If you have never boated in Casco Bay, you are missing out,” he said.

“There is a ton of stuff to do in Casco Bay: Portland is a great excursion. We have a lot of day trippers who go to Boothbay Harbor or the Kennebunkport area or to Freeport for lunch and lobster,” he said.

In summer 2013, Arnold looks forward to familiarizing himself with the names and reputations of local restaurants so he can make recommendation to visiting boaters. But, he is already impressed with the contingent waterways the boats now in storage will be traveling upon.

“In the lakes area, there are a hundred different things to do. You have 50 miles of uninterrupted boating. There are a lot of boating excursions between both lakes, the Songo River and Sebago Lake,” he said.

Arnold aims to become a familiar face and a daily presence at the Moose Landing Marina from May through October.

“I am looking forward to spending time on the lakes this summer,” he said.