🔒Yarmouth marina business makes first foray into Granite State

Marina Holdings LLC, a Maine operator of boating businesses, is wading into New Hampshire waters via the acquisition of Irwin Marine, a boat dealership and service provider serving the Lake Winnipesaukee region. The deal puts Irwin Marine under the same ownership as Yarmouth Boat Yard, Moose Landing Marina, Freedom Boat Club of Maine, Sea Tow Portland/Midcoast, Portland Sea Taxi and Maine Boating Academy. Under the terms of the transaction, Yarmouth-based Marina Holdings will manage and operate Irwin Marine’s sales and service business activities, while Dallas-based Resilient Marinas will own the marina property and real estate assets. The deal builds on a partnership between Marina Holdings and Resilient, signed in October 2024. Terms of the Irwin Marine deal were not disclosed.

Strategic rationale

The buyers said the acquisition combines Marina Holdings’ operational expertise with Resilient Marinas’ marine real estate investment, giving Irwin Marine greater access to capital, operational support and organizational structure. “Irwin Marine has built an outstanding reputation in the New Hampshire market,” said Steve Arnold, owner of Marina Holdings. “With the support of Resilient Marinas, we will be able to invest in the business, support the team and continue delivering the high level of service customers expect,” he added. David Henry, managing partner of Resilient Marinas, touted Irwin Marine as a well-established and highly respected operation. “We look forward to partnering with Marina Holdings to support continued growth and ensure the business remains a leader in the region,” Henry said. Marina Holdings employs 75 people in the off-season and 200 during boating season, while Irwin Marine has 90 off-season and 150 in-season employees, according to a spokeswoman for Marina Holdings.