The Heritage of Passion – BTH Marine

The boat sitting in the Hofstetter driveway looked like a maritime disaster. The hull was split cleanly in half, paint peeling from its sides, with only an empty bracket where a motor should have been. Most parents would have apologized for such a sorry sight, but Tommy “Chief” Hofstetter watched his seven-year-old son circle the wreckage with growing anticipation. When Blye’s face broke into an enormous grin—that moment changed everything. That broken-down hull wasn’t just a birthday present; it was an invitation into a world where passion meets profession.

“By my eighth birthday, I had it back together, painted, and with a motor on it,” Blye recalls, his voice carrying the same enthusiasm that must have driven that determined eight-year-old. “It was my first rebuild of many to come.”

Growing up around Chief Engines and watching his father dominate powerboat racing circuits across seven seas, Blye absorbed knowledge like a sponge. But unlike many children who drift away from their parents’ trades, Blye found himself drawn deeper into the boating lifestyle. By his junior year at Coral Shores High School, he switched to online school to start mating on fishing boats.

“I was already devoted to boating and knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Blye explains. “So, the sooner I could get out working on the water, the better.” The flexible hours of online education allowed the sixteen-year-old to manage his studies while gaining real-world experience in the waters he’d grown to love.

“Since I was a little kid, I’d been taking the smaller boats out on my own,” he remembers. But this was different—this was the beginning of a career built on the foundation his father had laid, yet uniquely his own.

Tommy watched his son with the mixture of pride and practical concern that only a father can understand. “Being around Chief Engines, the races, being on the boats, he gained a lot of knowledge through osmosis,” Tommy reflects.

But it was Blye’s evolution into captaining that truly impressed his father. “As a captain, he had to keep the whole boat running while simultaneously being a fishing captain and excursion organizer,” Tommy explains. “Though he was only a teenager, he proved his worth and was trusted to take countless HCBs and families not only out on the water but across to the Caribbean and Bahamas. He had to be capable of doing it all, even down to handling emergency situations.”

That versatility—the ability to adapt and excel across multiple marine disciplines—became the cornerstone of what would eventually become BTH Marine. When father and son decided to combine their expertise under one roof, they weren’t just merging businesses; they were creating a comprehensive boating experience that few companies could match.

Today at BTH Marine

Today, BTH Marine operates from a 4.5-acre marina with ocean access and highway frontage, anchored by the marina’s new 80-ton travel lift that can handle everything from small fishing boats to 67-foot center consoles. Whether you’re buying your first boat, servicing or repowering your current one, or planning your next adventure, BTH Marine serves as a one-stop shop for the entire life of your vessel.

BTH Marine’s Service Department handles everything from routine maintenance to complex multi-engine repairs, with V12 certified technicians capable of working on boats with up to six engines. As one of the only Mercury Platinum Elite dealers in Monroe County, they perform extensive warranty work and stock parts for everything from small outboards to the most powerful engines on the market. Their newly expanded Parts Department, led by industry veteran Lorinda with her twenty years of experience, ensures faster turnarounds whether customers need over-the-counter items or specialized components.

On the sales side, Blye leads a team that specializes in new Front Runner boats while also handling brokerage and trade-ins for clients looking to sell, upgrade or downsize. But BTH Marine’s approach goes beyond simple transactions—their charter and excursion services take clients out on the water and even to the Bahamas, allowing them to experience the boating lifestyle firsthand. “Part of the job is showing clients how to enjoy their investment,” Blye says, “and it’s part of building relationships that last as long as their passion for the water.”

BTH Marine’s reputation extends far beyond their devoted Keys clientele, drawing boaters nationally and internationally. Clients regularly travel for their specialized multi-engine work and cutting-edge Mercury systems, as well as for their charter services to experience these waters to the fullest—many becoming repeat customers who return annually for both adventures and vessel services.

The team has grown thoughtfully on their family foundation. Abigail Doxey handles the CFO responsibilities while also being Blye’s fiance, creating another layer of personal investment in the company’s success. Amy McFarlane manages marketing and sales, bringing fresh perspective and energy to their networking efforts.

But perhaps the most exciting addition to BTH Marine isn’t an employee at all—it’s six-year-old William, Blye’s son, who represents the third generation of Hofstetters to find their joy on the water. “From a father and grandfather perspective, how much better could it be?” Tommy asks, his delight evident.

Blye’s face lights up when discussing his son’s involvement. “It’s a blast. He’s been with me doing this since he was a baby. He’s been to the Bahamas many times, even at six years old. He’s getting good at fishing, diving, snorkeling—it’s really cool to see him catching fish bigger than him.”

Living in the Keys provides the perfect backdrop for this lifestyle-centered approach. When they’re not working, the Hofstetter family can often be found at sandbars, fishing, diving, or enjoying water sports—the same activities they help their clients discover and perfect.

Boat Shows & Beyond

As boat show season approaches, BTH Marine hits the circuit hard, starting with the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and continuing through Miami, West Palm Beach, and, of course, the local Island Boat Show in the Keys. These often week-long events showcase their new Front Runner boats, offering full sea trials, and a chance to see their current brokerage inventory. It’s also a chance to meet new prospects and reconnect with past clients.

Beyond the major shows, they participate in poker runs and manufacturer events—boating rallies that feel more like client appreciation gatherings than traditional sales events. It’s all about building community, and their active social media presence captures the energy and genuine enjoyment.

As the Hofstetters look toward the future, they’re not just building a business—they’re nurturing a heritage that honors both tradition and innovation. A heritage that cultivates a lifestyle designed to last generations—for their family and others.

To learn more, visit BTHMarine.com and follow BTH Marine on social media.