DAN KINNE
Meet
MARINA MANAGER
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DAN KINNE
NOANK SHIPYARD | SPICER'S MARINA | MYSTIC POINT MARINA
Dan Kinne grew up on the shoreline of southern New England and has spent his life on the water. A University of Hartford graduate and lifelong boater, Dan owned his first boat before he even had a car. Raised in a family that lived and breathed boating, he developed his passion at an early age, exploring the waters of Long Island Sound, Block Island, and Montauk. Summers were often spent on Quonochontaug Pond in Charlestown, Rhode Island, where clamming, fishing, and time on the water became the foundation of his love for the marine lifestyle. Dan’s personal connection to the marina world runs deep. His first date with his now-wife took place at Champlin’s Marina when they were just 16. Today, he lives in Essex, Connecticut, with his wife, daughter, and their dog Mako, enjoying time on their 35-foot Egg Harbor whenever they can.
BOATING EXPERIENCE
From inshore fishing trips to offshore adventures and day cruises to Watch Hill, Dan’s experience on the water spans decades and hundreds of miles of coastline. He earned his diving certification at just 15 years old and has remained committed to life on the water ever since. His boating resume covers everything from hands-on maintenance to seasonal cruising, and his knowledge of the region’s waters is matched only by his enthusiasm for helping others get the most from their time at sea. Whether he’s talking to a first-time boat owner or a seasoned captain, Dan brings experience, patience, and practical insight to every conversation.
LOCAL EXPERTISE
Dan takes great pride in managing two of the region’s most historic and well-regarded marinas, Spicer’s Marina and Noank Shipyard. Noank itself holds a special place in maritime history as the former site of Palmer Shipyard, once the largest wooden shipbuilder in the United States. As Dan likes to say, “Noank is on the end of the road to nowhere. No one passes through Noank, you have to go there because you want to go there.” That spirit defines both marinas, which now host over 400 slips and 90 moorings and have become staples of the local boating community. Dan is not only passionate about boats but also about the people who visit, and he’s always eager to share his favorite fishing spots, destinations, and stories from life on the water.
CUSTOMER PHILOSOPHY
Dan lives by a simple service motto: “Leave the boat better than when you got on it.” He believes in being honest with customers, setting clear expectations, and delivering service that is always a step above. For Dan, it’s not just about price, it’s about the full experience. Boating is a hobby and a lifestyle, and he knows customers are choosing to spend their hard-earned time and money with us. It’s his job, and the job of his team, to honor that choice and ensure every guest enjoys their time on the water to the fullest. Dan also credits the success of Spicer’s Marina and Noank Shipyard to the incredible team around him. “I just want to make a special point in my manager bio to call out my staff,” he says. “They are an amazing group of selfless people who constantly go the extra mile to help a customer. These marinas would not be what they are today without their hard work and care.”