Who Usually Buys
- Marina groups
- Operators that own several marinas and want more slips in a boating market.
- Real estate investors
- Buyers who see the waterfront land as the main asset and hire an operator.
- Local boaters with capital
- Owners of nearby service companies who want their own yard.
Two Businesses in One
A marina is part real estate and part operating company. Slip and storage rent behave like property income, while repair, fuel and ship store sales behave like a regular business. Buyers often value each part on its own terms.
If you own the land, the property may be worth more than the operation. Read keeping your building when you sell the business before you decide what to sell.
What Buyers Count
- Slip and rack occupancy by season, with waiting lists
- Annual contracts compared with transient nights
- Service department hours, labor rates and backlog
- Fuel volume and margin
Permits, Leases and the Water
Docks, bulkheads and dredging need permits, and buyers will ask for them.
If any part of the marina sits on leased bottomland or a leased upland lot, the lease term and transfer terms matter a great deal. Depth at the entrance and the next dredging bill can move the price.
Storms and Insurance
Buyers will ask about damage from past storms, the condition of pilings and the insurance history. Records of repairs made and claims paid help a buyer get comfortable.
Getting Ready
Keep slip contracts, waiting lists and service records in order, and separate personal boat costs from the books. Our guide on recasting your profit and loss statement shows how.
If the marina sells fuel or food, the closing obligations pages cover the Virginia filings. To get started, request a sale estimate.