Green Light Given for Bayport Boat Sales, Repair Business

It’s taken a bit longer than expected but by year’s end a local resident hopes to begin setting up a family-owned boat sales, repair and storage business at the former Sayville Plumbing Supply site on Montauk Highway in Bayport.

Islip Town zoning and planning officials have given the go-ahead for Bayport resident Michael DePalo to move forward and he hopes to have the required site plan, architectural work and county health approval by year’s end.

“It’s a green light,” DePalo told Patch in a phone interview. “I’m extremely grateful for the community support and the support of the Bayport Civic Association,” he said.

The project, which required a zone change from Business One to Business Three as well as special permits, initially came before the town planning board last April.

The lot sits adjacent to the Hess gas station, just east of McConnell Avenue. DePalo bought the parcel earlier this year and spent several months cleaning it up and removing a building. He carted off over 11 dumpsters of debris from the site, a cleanup effort that’s cost over $10,000, he estimates.

DePalo, who has lived in Bayport for 16 years, operated Nicolls Point Marina in Oakdale for 20 years and is currently operating a mobile boat repair service company, DePalo’s Marine and Engine Works, and a company called U.K. Motorsports.

The 53-year-old, who holds a degree in marine biology, has been working on engines, from lawnmowers when he was nine years old, to motorcycles, cars and boats throughout his life. He got into the business after facing a dour employment landscape once he had graduated college.

The new business, at which DePalo said his sons will be working for and learning the trade, will include boat storage, sales of new and used boats, and repair services.