How do I find a boatyard for sale?

A boatyard hauls boats out, stores them and repairs them. It is not a boat dealer and not always a full marina. Yards change hands quietly, because customers keep valuable boats there and an owner does not want them worried. A search for “boatyard for sale” may return little, so expect to look beyond the obvious listings and to let people know what you want.

Listings under other headings

A yard may be posted as a repair shop, a storage business, a marine service business or part of a marina. Try each of those words on listing sites, including Deavo, and ask a few business brokers to watch for you. A BDC guide to working with a broker explains what a broker does for a buyer.

Sales alongside land or a marina

Many yards sit on land the owner also holds, and some sell as part of a marina. That changes what you are buying, and what you can finance. Ask early whether the land is included, leased or sold separately. If the yard is part of a larger site, marina due diligence covers the wider checks.

Customers, trades and suppliers

People who use a yard every season often hear first. Slip customers, boat owners who store there, marine mechanics, riggers and parts suppliers all know when an owner is thinking of leaving. Tell them you are serious and ask them to pass your name on, not your details. Be careful not to unsettle the yard’s customers.

Early checks on land, lifts and contracts

Before you go far, ask what lift equipment and tools come with the yard and what condition they are in. Ask to see the storage contracts, and who is responsible for the boats on site. Environmental questions about fuel, paint and old storage tanks belong with a specialist, as set out in what environmental checks you need.