Family-owned, patent-pending ice cream boat brings sweet treats to local shorelines
By Mackenzie Palmer
What started as a regular family day at the beach turned into a profitable and creative business idea. Joe Prezio and his family spend a great deal of time at the beach, and one day they realized how appealing it would be to have access to refreshing ice cream on a hot afternoon. That thought sparked the conversation that led to the creation of the business now known as Tropicool Ice Cream. Their concept: an ice cream truck on a boat.
Launching the innovative venture became a true family project. Prezio’s wife developed the name and logo, sketching the original concept by hand. Prezio’s background in graphic design allowed him to recreate the artwork digitally, and he hand-painted the final graphics directly onto the boat.
“I worked closely with professional builders and was hands-on throughout the process, overseeing the work,” Prezio said. “We now have a patent pending on the design and are already beginning work on our second boat. It became something we’re all genuinely proud of.”
Tropicool Ice Cream is a family-owned business that launched at the end of August 2025 and has been operating for five months. Tropicool serves Siesta Key, Sarasota, and surrounding areas.
The company receives regular deliveries and keeps additional inventory in a storage unit to remain stocked, especially during busy weekends and special events. The boat initially operated using a generator but later switched to a battery- and solar-powered system after technical difficulties. The updated system provides a quieter, cleaner and more enjoyable experience for customers.
Routine maintenance is essential to keeping the vessel in good condition. Each day, the boat is removed from the water rather than left overnight. It is cleaned after every use, carefully maintained and stored indoors. This process ensures the boat is ready and safe for the next day on the water.
“Safety is our top priority,” Prezio said. “We always have at least two to three people onboard, and we have more than 30 years of boating experience and strictly follow all navigation rules.”
To enhance safety, the boat is equipped with professional marine equipment, including radios, chart plotters, backup cameras and multiple anchoring systems.
“We take extra care anytime we are approaching shorelines or maneuvering the boat to make sure everything is done as safely as possible,” Prezio said.
Each day begins with checking weather and water conditions, restocking inventory and preparing the boat. The family then heads to the beach and selects a launch site based on the day’s conditions. Once on the water, they pull up to designated areas and often see beachgoers gathering along the shoreline, eager for a cool treat and a unique experience. Children run toward the water, families approach the boat, and customers frequently express their appreciation.
“There’s a lot of genuine joy and positive energy, and it’s one of the most rewarding parts of what we do,” Prezio said. “We’re also surrounded by beautiful scenery all day — clear water, sunshine and often dolphins swimming nearby. Sometimes we’ll take a short break on the water and just take it in, watching dolphins pass by.”
The family aims to operate daily, though hours depend on weather and sea conditions. Their goal is to be on the water from noon until sunset.
Tropicool Ice Cream selects daily locations based on permitted operating areas and existing beach gatherings to create an engaging experience for families and other beachgoers. The company is also exploring additional locations to reach more communities.
“We’ve already had the pleasure of hosting private events and have upcoming bookings for weddings and waterfront community gatherings,” Prezio said.
Currently operated entirely by family members, Tropicool plans to hire additional employees as it prepares to launch a second boat this summer.
“More than anything, we’re truly grateful for the support we’ve received so far,” Prezio said. “We feel very fortunate to be able to do something that brings people joy and creates meaningful memories, and that’s what matters most to us.”