From acquiring your first marina to expanding an existing operation, Anchor Financial Services brings firsthand industry knowledge and a network of lenders who understand the marine business.
Marinas are complex, capital-intensive businesses that most lenders and consultants don’t fully understand. Seasonal cash flow, slip rental income, fuel operations, dry storage, and marine service departments all require specialized financial analysis.
Michael Ellsberry grew up in the marine industry and served as President of the Dallas Boat Show. That background means he speaks your language, and knows which lenders actually understand marina valuations and lending.
Most lenders struggle to underwrite seasonal cash flow. We know how to present it.
Slips, fuel, storage, service. Each revenue stream needs to be clearly documented.
Marina valuations involve waterfront property and usage rights that require specialized appraisal.
We work with lenders who have done marina deals before, and won’t pass on yours out of unfamiliarity.
Looking to buy a marina? We structure your loan package to give you the best possible chance of approval, and find lenders who actually understand the deal.
No upfront fees
Already own a marina? We analyze your operations and identify where you’re leaving money on the table, and how to fix it.
Growing your marina or looking to refinance existing debt at better terms? We structure the deal and find the right lender for your situation.
Marina cash flow is highly seasonal. We build projections that reflect reality, and help you plan for slow seasons and capital needs.
Buying or selling? We help you understand what a marina is worth, and make sure your financials tell the right story to buyers, lenders, or appraisers.
When traditional lenders pass on marina deals, we know where to look. Our network includes lenders who specialize in marine and waterfront assets.
Every marina is different. Here are examples of the types of situations we’ve navigated for marina owners and buyers.
An entrepreneur with no prior marina experience wanted to purchase a 120-slip freshwater marina. Traditional banks were hesitant due to the seasonal revenue model and the buyer’s lack of industry history.
We restructured the loan presentation to normalize seasonal cash flow, highlighted the buyer’s relevant business background, and identified an SBA-preferred lender with prior marina experience.
A family-owned marina on a large reservoir had been operating for 22 years but was seeing declining profits despite strong occupancy. The owners assumed the business had peaked.
Our analysis identified underpriced slip rentals, an unprofitable fuel operation, and missed revenue from dry storage. We delivered a report with specific pricing and operational changes.
An existing marina owner wanted to add 40 slips and replace an aging fuel system, but their local bank declined, citing the construction risk and existing debt load.
We identified a non-bank lender with experience in marina infrastructure financing, restructured the existing debt into the new loan, and prepared a full project financial package.
Michael Ellsberry didn’t discover the marine industry from a spreadsheet. He grew up in it. His family operated Marine & Industrial Supplies, Inc., giving him a ground-level understanding of how marine businesses actually work: the seasonality, the equipment, the customer relationships, and the constant capital demands.
Mike went on to serve as President of the Dallas Boat Show, deepening his network across the marine industry. He’s spent the past 13+ years helping small business owners, including marina operators, secure financing and improve their operations.
“I’ve been around boats and marinas my whole life. When a marina owner calls me, I already understand the business before they explain it.”
When you work with Anchor Financial Services on your marina, you’re not handed off to a junior associate. Mike works your deal personally, from the first conversation through closing or report delivery.
There’s no cost to an initial conversation. Whether you’re buying, expanding, or trying to improve an existing operation, tell us about it.
No fees. No commitment. Mike will follow up personally.
No fees are ever charged in advance. All information is kept strictly confidential.