In a year with several notable mergers and acquisitions among boatbuilders, manufacturers and marinas, Safe Harbor’s recent deal for MarineMax is the latest.

Trade Only Today this week reached out to Safe Harbor, its parent Blackstone and to MarineMax for comment.

“We see the businesses as complementary, and we anticipate that together they will provide Safe Harbor with more ways to serve boaters and the marine industry with excellence,” Safe Harbor chief marketing officer Brad Alesi told Trade Only Today.

“Safe Harbor Marinas is selective and intentional when it adds to its network of marinas and superyacht service businesses,” a Blackstone spokesperson said. “The MarineMax acquisition will further enable Safe Harbor Marinas to serve the global boating community with excellence in locations throughout the U.S. and internationally.”

The spokesperson added that the “scale of the combined platforms is expected to help drive greater value for customers and to support overall growth.”

Officials at MarineMax did not respond to a request for comment.

Separately, Levin Capital, a top 10 MarineMax shareholder, released a statement earlier this week praising the MarineMax board for optimizing value for shareholders and executing on offers for the company.

“We congratulate the MarineMax board and management team on reaching an agreement that delivers substantial, immediate and certain cash value to shareholders,” chairman and chief executive officer John Levin said in the release. “On Feb. 17, 2026, we publicly called on the board to pursue a review of strategic alternatives following an unsolicited acquisition proposal. [This week’s] announcement represents an excellent outcome and validates our longstanding view that MarineMax’s premier marina assets, service platform and brand portfolio were worth substantially more than the public market recognized.”

Added Levin president Evan Ratner: “The board ran a competitive process that has delivered significant value for MarineMax shareholders. The $53 per share cash consideration represents a 96% premium to MarineMax’s unaffected share price, underscoring the value that can be realized when directors seize the moment and thoughtfully evaluate all opportunities to maximize shareholder value. We believe Safe Harbor and Blackstone are natural owners of these highly unique waterfront assets.”

The Safe Harbor/MarineMax acquisition joins a list of major acquisitions this year that includes:

  • Feb. 5 — MasterCraft Boat Holdings announced a definitive agreement to acquire Marine Products Corp. (Chaparral and Robalo) in a cash-and-stock deal worth roughly $232 million.
  • February — Whisper Marine, part of Leisure Products International, acquired Fountain Powerboats and NauticStar from Iconic Marine Group, with plans to invest in facilities and dealer relationships while keeping production in Washington, N.C.
  • March 2 — Malibu Boats acquired Saxdor Yachts for roughly €150 million ($175 million), expanding Malibu’s European manufacturing and distribution footprint.
  • March 19 — Suntex Marinas, through a joint venture with Centerbridge Partners, completed its merger with Windward Marina Group, adding 13 facilities and more than 3,000 slips, and bringing Suntex’s network to more than 100 marinas nationwide, including 34 in Florida.
  • May 15 — MasterCraft completed its acquisition of Marine Products Corp., bringing Chaparral and Robalo into a portfolio that includes MasterCraft, Crest and Balise.
  • June 29 — Whisper Marine acquired Crownline Boats, its fourth U.S. acquisition in six months following Qwest Pontoons, Fountain and NauticStar.
  • June 30 — Patrick Industries and LCI Industries announced an all-stock merger into an $8.1 billion component supplier spanning outdoor enthusiast, housing and transportation markets — expected to close in the first half of 2027.
  • July 13 — Twin Vee PowerCats announced a merger with a USFM Corp. subsidiary that will take its Twin Vee and Bahama Boat Works brands private under a newly formed trust, with shareholders receiving equity in the combined public company plus contingent value rights.