About Chris Hoenig
A Business Built on Service, Character, and Community
If you spend enough time around Chris, you’ll notice two things right away: he genuinely loves the water, and he genuinely cares about people.
Chris was born and raised in Wilmington, and the coast has always been part of his life. From Wrightsville Beach sunrise surf sessions to quiet afternoons exploring the marsh behind his grandparent’s house on Cedar Island, and relaxing days sandbar hopping and tide pool chasing, to lively days at Palm Tree Island or Masonboro, Chris knows this area from the perspective that matters most – out on the water. After graduating from NC State and beginning his career in banking, Chris returned to Wilmington to build his life where it began, surrounded by family, lifelong friends, and the coastal waters that kept calling him home. That calling has led to pursuing his passion with a fulfilling career as a Yacht and Boat Sales Consultant with MarineMax where Chris helps families, anglers, cruisers, and first-time buyers find more than a boat. He helps prospective boaters curate the life-on-the-water lifestyle of their dreams, while ensuring the memories you want to make are at the helm of decision making.
Chris’s character has been shaped by the same principles that have guided him since childhood. As a proud Eagle Scout, he brings integrity, responsibility, and follow-through to everything he does. He’s known for remembering people after just one meeting, staying connected, and showing up when it matters most.
His commitment to both his clients and his community has earned local recognition, including being named to Wilmington’s 40 Under 40, an honor bestowed on young professionals making a meaningful impact in the Wilmington, NC area.
Beyond his professional life, Chris is a proud father, husband, dog Dad and NC State alumni. On his days off you can still find him on the water, sitting on the beach at The Carolina Yacht Club, cruising around town in his Scout, or cheering on the Wolfpack at Carter Finley or the Lenovo Center.
The Boats and Hoenig Approach
Chris believes buying a boat should be personal, not transactional. When you work with him, you are not stepping into a big-box experience or getting passed between departments. You receive one-on-one guidance from someone who takes the time to understand exactly how you want to spend your time on the water, whether that means sandbar days with the kids, offshore runs at sunrise, sunset cruises with friends, or weekends exploring the Intracoastal.
That relationship does not end at closing. Chris remains accessible before, during, and long after delivery. He offers same-day sea trials when possible, quick response times when questions arise, service coordination, storage solutions, training opportunities, and extended warranty guidance to help protect your investment. His background in banking also allows him to guide clients through financing with clarity and confidence.
As a lifelong Wilmington local, Chris brings insight that goes beyond the transaction. He can tell you the best sandbars near Wrightsville Beach, where to anchor for dinner, the ideal time to leave the dock for Mason’s Inlet, and even the hidden fishing spots that only locals tend to know. That knowledge becomes part of the experience he provides.
At the end of the day, Chris measures success differently. Not by the number of boats sold, but by the relationships built over time. By the clients who call years later, send photos from their first sandbar day, upgrade with him again, or refer their friends and family. His goal is not simply to sell a boat. It is to be a trusted guide for your life on the water for years to come. And if you’re wondering… yes. There’s a good chance you’ll leave your first meeting with him thinking, “Did we just become best friends?”.
