A
nyone who’s ever spent time trying to
get around Destin knows well the head-
aches of contending with traffi c on the
heavily congested streets through town—most es-
pecially on Highway 98. And when you’re out for
a fun time, dealing with the stressors of aggressive
drivers, roadway hiccups, or even just everyday
commuters can put a defi nite damper on the day.
It’s a headache that seems to be the price of admis-
sion, whether you’re a local going out for a night
on the town or a tourist looking to explore. When
Jimmy Crawford and Crystal Newborn teamed
up to start Destin Water Taxi in 2011, they turned
this daily frustration into a business plan that can
really hold water.
Using their backgrounds in boating, their
profi ciency of the water, and their love of the area
as their springboard, Crawford and Newborn
became true captains of their own destinies,
offering their clients a method of transportation
that was entertaining, unique, and anything
but mainstream. “We offer a fun, convenient
transportation alternative for a number of
destinations along the water like Holiday Isle,
Norriego Point, HarborWalk Village,
and every restaurant and bar on the
harbor,” says Crawford, a USCG
Master Merchant Marine who
seemingly grew his sea legs before he
could navigate on land. “Traffi c gets
extremely busy here during the height
of tourist season, and our clients love
having a different way to arrive at
their destination—all while relaxing
and enjoying the view from the water
with a cocktail in their hand.”
Rather than tasking more
conventional boats with their daily
fare, Destin Water Taxi uses a fl oating fl eet of
three boats including a custom-built Carolina
skiff and two very unique vessels—old motor
whaleboats that were once used as tenders,
Liberty boats, or lifeboats by the Navy. “They
story by
Liesel Schmidt
CABBING IT
May 2017 | 45
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