Who Buys This Kind of Company
Larger marina or boatyard operator
Adds capacity and customers along the coast.
Marine trades company
Wants repair and storage revenue to fill slow periods.
Owner operator from another industry
Buys a seasonal business with loyal customers.
Where the income comes from
Buyers sort revenue into slip and storage rent, repair and maintenance, fuel and parts, and charter or other services. Rent and storage are steady, and repair work depends on skilled labor.
Show each stream by season for three years so a buyer sees what repeats and what is one time.
Waterfront rights and permits
Many marine businesses sit on leased land or use waterfront rights that need approval to transfer. A buyer will study the lease term, rent steps and what an assignment requires.
Environmental and harbor permits matter too. Ask your attorney what must be reissued to a buyer.
Seasonal swings
Revenue peaks in summer and slows in winter. Buyers want to know how winter storage, haul outs and repair projects fill the off season. A business with winter income is steadier and priced higher.
Equipment and skilled staff
Travel lifts, cranes and work boats are expensive, so buyers inspect condition and maintenance records. They also ask who does the repair work and how long those people have stayed.
Customer loyalty
Boat owners tend to stay for years. A list of long term customers with contracts or deposits is valuable. Show returning customers by year.
Getting ready
- Revenue by stream and season
- Lease or rights documents and permits
- Equipment list with inspections
- Customer list with years of service
Waterfront lease terms are a deal point on their own, so read the note on letter of intent terms before you agree.
To learn what the business could bring, request a value estimate. See also why buyers walk away during review.