By Bill Sokolic
In the winter of 1958, Ray Scott got into the boating business. More to the point, Ray Scott got into the tourism business on Amherst Avenue in Margate, a sleepy little town back then. He bought the property that would bear his name: Ray Scott’s Dock.
At the time, Ray Scott did architectural design work in a shipyard after working on bomb disposal during World War II, says his grandson, Scott Bonar, the third generation at the helm of Ray Scott’s Dock, which opened for boat rentals in 1959.
Ray also had the boating expertise to build his own boats to rent, like a 16-foot cedar Garvey’s for either rowing or outboard engines, Bonar says.
Bonar’s mother Robin took over the business in the early 1990s, returning from Southern California. Robin ran it for 27 years until her passing in 2021, developing a supportive customer base.
“Growing up here, this was the best job he could ask for,” Bonar says. “We get people out on the bay, which is important to the community. People will always fish. It’s a critical part of the Shore.”
These days, the business opens as early as April and can still operate up to November, if the weather allows, says veteran dock boy Andrew Affanato. During the heart of the season, Ray Scott Docks runs 12 hours a day, seven days a week. The boats they rent have a back bay field from Atlantic City to Longport. The renters can fish for whatever is in season, size appropriate of course, or they can go crabbing in the back bay waters. Or just ride around. Regardless of the reason, safety is a priority, Bonar says. “We make sure they know how to operate the boat safely.”
Tiffany Giove, her sister Traci Kukowski and a handful of other family members gather during mid-August to rent a boat from Ray Scott’s Dock for a day to go crabbing. What they catch ends up on the kitchen table thanks to Giove, a chef from Laurel Springs in Camden County.
“We’re a family-oriented institution in Margate,” Bonar says, and the oldest family owned business under continuous ownership.
Ray Scott’s Dock has diversified the revenue stream through the years while maintaining its comfort zone for families. They have a full bait and tackle shop, slips for kayaks, jet skis and seasonal boats. The company does winter storage of boats as well.
According to scottsdock.com, you can be on the fish or crab minutes from leaving the dock. “Our craft range from small low horsepower boats up to party barges that can fit the whole family and friends for a great day.”
Boats available for rent include:
Single person and tandem kayak, from $35
Small Carolina Skiff and Center Console Carolina Skiff, from $169
Pontoon from $389
Private charters for up to eight people, from $549 for four hours
To help bring even more income, the company leases space to related businesses. The Carefree Boat Club offers three different boats for cruising around the bay, for example. Cruisin’ Tikis are thatched roof bars which meander around the waters.
Ray Scott’s Dock not only survived Covid-19 but thrived, Bonar says. “People were looking for outdoor activities, so we did big business. It was no surprise.”
The current business condition does well for a seasonal establishment. Bonar draws more than the local population from the Shore. Boaters come from greater Philadelphia, the New York-North Jersey area and Delaware. “Tourism is a big part of what we have here,” Bonar says. “We wish we could keep it going. Everyone wants a bigger summer.”
Ray Scott’s Dock is located at 9211 Amherst Ave, Margate N.J. For more information call (609) 822-6819 or visit https://scottsdock.com/
