About Yacht StarShip

Troy Manthey, President & CEO

Troy Manthey took the helm of the 180-foot, $8-million luxury dining vessel, Yacht Starship, shortly after its construction in 2000 in Biloxi, Mississippi.  Manthey discovered Tampa in January 2001 when Yacht StarShip was chartered for the world-class annual Gasparilla Invasion/Celebration for Super Bowl weekend. Shortly afterward, he permanently relocated the Yacht StarShip to Tampa Bay’s vibrant Channelside entertainment district, now Sparkman Wharf, in Downtown Tampa.  In May 2007, Yacht Starship opened its 2nd location in Clearwater Beach with the Yacht Starship II and has subsequently added Yacht Starship III (2014) and Yacht Starship IV (2016).  In 2009 Manthey became the sole owner of Yacht Starship Dining Cruises, LLC, which employees 145 people. February 2016, Yacht Starship opened Pirate Water Taxi, LLC a daily water taxi service with 15 stops and five vessels in Downtown Tampa. February 2020, Yacht StarShip added a pirate ship, Lost Pearl, to its fleet of dining yachts and water taxis in Downtown Tampa. In 2022, Bay Rocket Tampa, joined the fleet offering speed boat thrill rides in Downtown Tampa. Tampa Riverwalk Rentals launched in 2023 and the newest addition Craft, an upscale dining river cruise was announced to open Fall 2023.

Since 2001, Manthey has developed deep roots in Tampa Bay’s civic and business communities. He is a Leadership Tampa graduate 2003 who also serves on the Board of Directors (Chair) for Visit Tampa Bay, Friends of the Riverwalk, Hillsborough County Hotel Motel Association, S.S. American Victory Museum Ship, Port of Tampa Maritime Industries Association and Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Pinellas Chapter. He is the founder of the Tampa Attractions Association, which merged with Friends of the Riverwalk. The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce awarded Yacht StarShip Dining Cruises the 2016 Small Business of the Year in the 51-250 Employee category. Manthey was awarded the Ambassador of the Year for tourism in Hillsborough County in 2017.

Manthey holds a Captain’s license from the United States Coast Guard as Master (inland) and 1st Class Pilot – Any Gross Ton.  Manthey is a 5th generation Passenger Vessel Operator and Captain, who’s family started in the Passenger Steamboat business in 1884. Manthey currently resides in Tampa with his wife Jill and two sons Jack and Patrick, adult daughter Lindsey resides in New Orleans.