What Is My Marina Worth?

Marinas are hybrid businesses combining recurring rental income, retail, service, and often significant waterfront real estate. The limited supply of waterfront properties and growing demand for recreational boating make well-located marinas valuable.

Typical Valuation Ranges

Most marinas sell for 3x to 5x SDE, with waterfront real estate often representing a major portion of total value.

Factors that push toward the higher end: High occupancy (90%+ slips rented), long waitlist for slips, fuel dock with strong volume, full-service boat yard, waterfront real estate, diversified revenue (slips, fuel, service, retail, storage).

Factors that push toward the lower end: Low occupancy, seasonal-only operation, no service or fuel capabilities, deferred dock and infrastructure maintenance, leased waterfront, environmental compliance issues.

Key Value Drivers

Slip rental revenue is recurring and predictable. Annual slip leases create a stable revenue base similar to self-storage.

Fuel sales drive traffic and generate revenue, though margins are thin. High-volume fuel operations add value.

Service revenue — boat maintenance, winterization, haul-out, and repair services generate strong margins.

Waterfront real estate is inherently limited. The underlying property value may exceed the business value.

How to Increase Your Value

1. Maximize occupancy. Marketing and competitive pricing fill empty slips.
2. Add services. Boat maintenance, winterization, detailing, and storage diversify revenue.
3. Upgrade infrastructure. Modern docks, electrical systems, and fuel systems attract larger boats at premium rates.
4. Maintain environmental compliance. Clean fuel handling, pump-out stations, and stormwater management are essential.

Browse the valuation multiples guide for industry data, or schedule a free call for a confidential valuation.