Key West Marine Hardware has signed on as a sponsor of the Key West World Championships, bringing a slice of local island history to the Race World Offshore calendar.
Known to locals as "Los Cubanitos," the business has been kitting out Key West boaters since 1969 and is now run by the third generation of the same family.
Ask locals why the shop matters and they'll point to decades of knowledge passed down through the business, paired with a kind of small-town service that's harder to find these days.
The shelves tell the story of a genuine working chandlery rather than a tourist stop. Marine supplies, fishing tackle, charts, line, hose, stainless steel hardware and foul weather gear all feature among the stock.
It's the latest in a run of local businesses lining up behind the November 1 to 8, 2026 event, joining the likes of Marathon Electric Sign & Light, which is handling the event's behind-the-scenes power and signage needs, and Four Star Rentals, which has supplied tents and generators to the pits at Truman Waterfront Park & Race Village since 1986.
Race World Offshore says it's pleased to have the business on board as a sponsor, and is encouraging boating enthusiasts attending the championships to call in and see what's on offer.
The shop is located at 818 Caroline Street, Key West, a fixture on the island's waterfront for close to six decades.
