The marina/boating business is nothing new to the Wetmore family. It all began back in 1959 when Grace and Irwin Wetmore bought a parcel of land from Hilda and Seth Wetmore (Irwin's parents) on the Boston Post Road in Westbrook, CT. With permits in place, the dredging began, and this parcel of land evolved into a river basin. In time, docks were built, and the marina became home to many boaters and fishermen. A building was constructed on the property, housing a retail bait and tackle shop. Grace and Irwin's then teenage son, Phil, helped establish the new business with his great passion for fishing. Before school, after school, on weekends and holidays, he became a fixture at the marina and on Long Island Sound. His love of fishing was a natural complement to the bait and tackle shop. Phil would fish from sun-down to sun-up, supplying the shop with the bait he caught. Irwin, Grace, and Phil became great business partners and enjoyed a wonderful reputation. Boaters and fishermen alike frequented the shop. Phil became the fishing expert, and Irwin was an ever-smiling, ever-friendly presence, answering questions, ringing up sales and making everyone feel welcome. It was Grace and Irwin who instituted a slogan for the family business which was: "Where You Are A Stranger But Once".

Phil purchased the marina from his parents in 1979, and also became a licensed Charter Captain. The marina business has grown and now includes a clubhouse for dockage customers. (Before being renovated, the clubhouse building was actually "home" to Phil's grandparents, Hilda and Seth!) The clubhouse (see below) is a place for customers to gather, complete with cable TV, a deck overlooking the Menunketesuck River which leads to Long Island Sound, and restrooms and showers. Most recently, the bridge which boaters must pass under to access the Sound has been reconstructed, adding 3 feet to its height, providing 9 feet of clearance at mean high tide, and tripling the width to 90 feet allowing two boats to pass with unobstructed visibility and minimum current. Boaters are just ecstatic with the improvements!

Phil and Leigh Wetmore welcome you to their marina... a marina of which generations of Wetmores are most proud...