Marine deals at a glance
- Typical buyers
- Competing yards, regional marine groups, fishing industry suppliers and individual buyers with marine backgrounds
- What lifts the price
- Long waterfront lease or owned property, certified technicians, a service backlog, steady commercial accounts
- What pulls it down
- Short tenure on submerged land leases, environmental questions, one technician who knows everything
- Paperwork buyers ask for
- Lease and any permits tied to the site, stormwater and environmental records, equipment lists, haul out logs
- Watch for
- Sales tax on travel lifts, forklifts and shop equipment in an asset sale
The Site Is Half the Value
Around Lake Union, the Ship Canal and Salmon Bay, a working waterfront location is hard to replace. Buyers know that, and they look closely at how secure your site is.
If you lease, the remaining term and renewal options matter a great deal. Lenders financing the purchase usually want the lease to run at least as long as the loan.
If part of your operation sits on leased state aquatic lands, have that agreement ready too.
Environmental Records Come Up Early
Boatyards deal with bottom paint, solvents, fuel and stormwater. Buyers and their lenders often order an environmental review of the site.
Clean, organized records of your stormwater permit, monitoring results and waste disposal shorten that review and reduce the chance of a price cut late in the deal.
Seasonality and Commercial Work
Recreational work peaks in spring. Buyers prefer yards that also serve commercial fishing boats, workboats or government vessels, because that work keeps crews busy all year.
If you have repeat commercial customers, show them by name and revenue in diligence. A list of boats you service each year is strong evidence of recurring income.
People Who Can Run the Yard
Certified marine technicians are scarce. A buyer will want to know who stays after the sale, and whether a shop foreman can handle scheduling and estimates without you.
Retention bonuses paid at closing are common in this field, and a broker can help you structure them.
Who Buys Marine Businesses Here
Regional marine groups buy yards and service shops to add locations. Fishing industry suppliers buy to serve their own fleets. Individual buyers with marine backgrounds look for a business they understand.
Each one looks at the site, the crew and the customer list in that order.
What Happens to Your Equipment
Travel lifts, forklifts and shop tools are tangible assets, and in an asset sale Washington's retail sales tax generally applies to them. Our guide to sales tax on equipment in a business sale explains how the allocation affects that bill.
For the full picture of value, read how Seattle buyers value a company. Then start with the price check form or call (206) 555-0171.