Stella Marinas, a boutique investment platform, has acquired Hope Springs Marina in Stafford, Virginia, following a purchase in Maryland earlier this year. The transaction increases its presence across the Chesapeake Bay region through an established boating facility along the Potomac River.

Hope Springs Marina

The site began as a campground before a group of local businessmen acquired it in 1993 and gradually turned it into a boating facility. Over time, added infrastructure and land acquisitions expanded the property, which developed into a larger waterfront site with improved access and storage capacity.

The marina now operates with 190 wet slips for vessels up to 50ft (15 metres) and 277 dry rack spaces across two enclosed storage buildings for vessels up to 35ft (11 metres). It also includes a fuel station, a boat ramp, maintenance areas and clubhouse facilities.

Plans for the newly acquired marina include early-stage engineering work on initial concepts for the property and a survey of boaters to understand desired amenities, experiences and improvements at the marina.

Ryan Comisky, owner of Stella Marinas, told Marina World: “We see tremendous potential in Hope Springs Marina as more than just a place to store your boat. Our vision is to create a destination where boaters and their families want to spend time – even when they’re not out on the water.”

Following the transaction, the existing team will remain in place. The new ownership said it will continue to work with the same staff who have supported the marina over the years and will review internal systems and operational support as the site develops.

Comisky said: “Our focus will be on investing in the team, improving the overall customer experience and bringing additional resources and infrastructure that can help support the marina’s long-term success while preserving the character and community that already exist at Hope Springs.”

With its presence in Virginia and Maryland, the company highlights that a concentrated network of marinas within a defined geography could create economies of scale, including operational expertise, purchasing power, marketing, staffing and customer experience.

Comisky added: “We’re incredibly excited about what this acquisition represents for both Stella Marinas and our investors. Hope Springs was a unique off-market opportunity that aligns perfectly with our long-term vision of building a high-quality marina platform across the Chesapeake Bay region.”