From the Blog
2025 Boating Industry Roundup: Major Marina & Dealership Acquisitions
By Caroline Cozier on Dec 17, 2025
2025 Boating Industry Roundup: Major Marina & Dealership Acquisitions
The boating industry saw significant consolidation and strategic expansion throughout 2025 as marinas and boat dealerships forged new alliances and ownership structures to strengthen market reach, improve customer experience, and adapt to shifting demand. From high-value private equity deals to regional dealership growth, these transactions reflect larger trends toward integration and scale in recreational boating.
š„ļø Blackstone Acquires Safe Harbor Marinas
One of the biggest stories of the year was Blackstone Infrastructureās acquisition of Safe Harbor Marinas, the largest marina operator in the United States, in a deal valued at $5.65 billion. Safe Harborās portfolio of 138 marinas across the U.S. and Puerto Rico gives Blackstone a dominant position in marina real estate, storage services, and waterfront amenities ā signaling strong investor confidence in long-term marine leisure demand.
ā Stella Marinasā Chesapeake Bay Expansion
Stella Marinas, in partnership with Drake Real Estate Partners, expanded its footprint by acquiring South River Marina and Turkey Point Marina & Yacht Club in Edgewater, Maryland. This move creates one of the largest marina destinations on the Chesapeake Bay, consolidating wet slips, service areas, and amenities in a highly desirable boating region.
ā TopSide Marinas Extends Great Lakes Presence
Continuing its acquisition strategy, TopSide Marinas added Pikes Bay Marina on Lake Superior to its growing portfolio of regional properties. With expanded services and winter-ready facilities, this acquisition strengthens TopSideās presence in the Midwest boating market.
š¤ Dealership Expansion Meets Marina Ownership
In the dealership world, Ingman Marine ā a respected Florida-based dealer ā completed the purchase of Cannons Marina on Longboat Key, adding a well-established full service marine facility to its network and enhancing its Gulf Coast presence.
Meanwhile, Vision Marine Technologies made a transformative vertical play by acquiring Nautical Ventures Group, a top Florida recreational boat dealership and marina operator, creating a unique combined platform that ties electric propulsion development with retail and service infrastructure.
Another noteworthy deal was OneWater Marineās acquisition of American Yacht Group, which secured exclusive dealership rights for luxury brand HCB Yachts in key markets including Florida, Alabama, New York, and North Carolina ā expanding its performance and luxury portfolio.
š Dealership Partnerships and Market Growth
Adding to industry momentum, Larsen Marine welcomed Manitowoc Marina as a new dealership partner, expanding its service and sales footprint in the Midwest and deepening relationships between marina operations and new boat sales.
The boating industry saw significant consolidation and strategic expansion throughout 2025 as marinas and boat dealerships forged new alliances and ownership structures to strengthen market reach, improve customer experience, and adapt to shifting demand. From high-value private equity deals to regional dealership growth, these transactions reflect larger trends toward integration and scale in recreational boating.
š„ļø Blackstone Acquires Safe Harbor Marinas
One of the biggest stories of the year was Blackstone Infrastructureās acquisition of Safe Harbor Marinas, the largest marina operator in the United States, in a deal valued at $5.65 billion. Safe Harborās portfolio of 138 marinas across the U.S. and Puerto Rico gives Blackstone a dominant position in marina real estate, storage services, and waterfront amenities ā signaling strong investor confidence in long-term marine leisure demand.
ā Stella Marinasā Chesapeake Bay Expansion
Stella Marinas, in partnership with Drake Real Estate Partners, expanded its footprint by acquiring South River Marina and Turkey Point Marina & Yacht Club in Edgewater, Maryland. This move creates one of the largest marina destinations on the Chesapeake Bay, consolidating wet slips, service areas, and amenities in a highly desirable boating region.
ā TopSide Marinas Extends Great Lakes Presence
Continuing its acquisition strategy, TopSide Marinas added Pikes Bay Marina on Lake Superior to its growing portfolio of regional properties. With expanded services and winter-ready facilities, this acquisition strengthens TopSideās presence in the Midwest boating market.
š¤ Dealership Expansion Meets Marina Ownership
In the dealership world, Ingman Marine ā a respected Florida-based dealer ā completed the purchase of Cannons Marina on Longboat Key, adding a well-established full service marine facility to its network and enhancing its Gulf Coast presence.
Meanwhile, Vision Marine Technologies made a transformative vertical play by acquiring Nautical Ventures Group, a top Florida recreational boat dealership and marina operator, creating a unique combined platform that ties electric propulsion development with retail and service infrastructure.
Another noteworthy deal was OneWater Marineās acquisition of American Yacht Group, which secured exclusive dealership rights for luxury brand HCB Yachts in key markets including Florida, Alabama, New York, and North Carolina ā expanding its performance and luxury portfolio.
š Dealership Partnerships and Market Growth
Adding to industry momentum, Larsen Marine welcomed Manitowoc Marina as a new dealership partner, expanding its service and sales footprint in the Midwest and deepening relationships between marina operations and new boat sales.