08/21/2026
Occasionally, the Treasure Island Historical Society (TIHS) will run stories on businesses that are also members of the Historical Society. Suncoast Sailing is one of those businesses. Owner, Captain Richie Mahoney , also goes by another title: “TIHS President,” so it only makes sense that Suncoast Sailing would have a TIHS lifetime membership. Preserving the island’s history is important to Richie. If it’s important to you, consider a lifetime membership. It’s as easy as clicking this link and scrolling to memberships. If you own a business, its history and yours could show up on this page! Stay tuned!
It’s a familiar sight at sunset, the red sails on the Gulf turning to silhouette as they cross in front of the sinking sun. The schooner almost looks like a prop, how well it fits into the scene. From the beach, one can imagine a pirate ship sailing out of the past. Or Panfilio de Narvaez, a spyglass to his eye as he searches for a break between the islands. The crew working for Suncoast Sailing, though, is not so motley as the ones on either of those ships. They’re a cheerful bunch, led by Captain Richie. If you know Richie, Treasure Island’s Mr. Popular, you’ve seen that smile. That’s the grin of a person living the dream.
Richie’s dream started when at four years old he experienced his first solo sailing trip. His parents watched him from a houseboat in the middle of Watagua Lake in Northeast Tennessee, as he learned the wind’s ability to move his craft.
When Richie was just twelve, he took his first passenger across that lake. That alone is exceptional, but his passenger was as well. Richie only knew the guy as Mr. Fred, a man who wanted a ride across the water to buy b**r. Sometime later, Richie learned Mr. Fred was Fred Thompson, the great Senator of Tennessee. Law and Order fans will remember him as District Attorney Arthur Branch.
To to do something he loved and call it work solidified the dream he’s living today. He took some detours along the way though. He played the Euphonium (a small tuba) with the University of Tennessee "Pride of the Southland" Marching Band. He married. Twice. Has a beautiful daughter (who just graduated from high school!).
But always, always, Richie returned to the water. He found his way to Treasure Island and worked as a deck hand on the SunCruz, a gambling Cruise to Nowhere. He captained riverboats along the Cumberland out of Nashville. He spent years driving an oilfield support vessel out of Louisiana, carrying cargo, crew, fuel, and equipment to and from offshore oil platforms. Eventually, though he found his way back to Treasure Island, bought his own boat and found the perfect dock. He set up shop there and now takes trips out to the Gulf almost every day.
If cruising through John’s Pass and into the Gulf to watch the sunset is something you are interested in, book today! The schooner Suncoast Horizon holds 28 passengers, and the crew allows you to bring all the food and drink you want. Gather a big group or come on your own to enjoy the ride. There’s no better way to celebrate the end of the day on our beautiful island. You can book via this link to their website. Or just stop by. They sell beachwear and gear at their shop, rent bikes and SUP boards. Anything to make your beach day more fun!
What of the building, though, the Suncoast Sailing shop and office? What is the history of it and the piece of land they share with the Waffle House?
Many people still remember the old HoJo, with its orange peaked roof and turquoise awnings. Howard Johnson’s restaurant, at 11125 Gulf Blvd., opened on that spot in 1962. Remember the deep fried clam strips for $1.35, or a clam roll for 50 cents? How about a frankfort grilled in butter for 90 cents? Did you know your waitress wore a uniform designed by Christian Dior? A checked nurse-type dress cinched with a small apron.
Before the hotel and restaurant, the piece of property was three connected lots. They were empty of any construction and had no seawall. Mangroves probably grew full and thick with a tall skinny palm leaning over the shore every ten or so feet. Though Boca Ciega Bay would’ve had some deep pockets of 15 feet or so (where giant grouper liked to hang out), most of the bay before the dredge would’ve been about five feet. A wide shallow lagoon teeming with wildlife. Probably a place 4-year-old Captain Richie could have sailed all day.
