In 1987, the Underwoods opened Lockwood Marine to furnish the area with an outboard oriented boat yard, ship’s store and boat dealership. Along with its heavy commitment to boat service, Lockwood handled various boat lines during the Underwood’s 20 year ownership, including Boston Whaler, Grady-White, Carolina Skiff, and Regulator. It achieved recognition as one of the nation’s Top 100 Dealers. The company was sold in 2007 while producing annual sales in the 5.5 million dollar range and very high customer satisfaction scores. The Underwoods had already met and loved the local “brotherhood of the waters”. When they gave up the heavy management responsibility of this operation, they were pleased to have a way to maintain contact.
Having purchased a 10.3 acre waterfront tract on the Barbour River back in 1991, they decided to increase their efforts and friendships on the water by opening a small marina. While they were encouraged by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources along with McIntosh County and cordially received by the US Corps of Engineers, they ran into unexpected opposition from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (adjacent Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge). There was considerable debate in hearings as to whether a marina would adversely affect the then endangered Woodstork population.
In the course of the next 5 years, a fortunate compromise was achieved whereby a “membership” marina was chartered with a limit of 155 families. This membership requirement is where the word “Yacht” informally entered the name of the Barbour River Club. The legal name of the club is still Barbour River Club, Inc. “Yacht” was inserted sort of tongue-in-cheek – and stuck.
Contact Info
Address:
1636 Goulds Landing Road, NE, Townsend, GA 31331, United States
Phone: 912-832-6721
Website: barbourriverclub.com