VIRGINIA · NAICS 713930

    SBA Marinas and Boat Storage Feasibility Study in Virginia

    Virginia marina and boat storage deals run on the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the country, anchoring one of the deepest boating economies on the East Coast from the Northern Neck through Hampton Roads. Lender packages require feasibility studies with an industry-experienced going-concern appraiser and elevated equity.

    FEASIBILITY TRIGGER

    Marinas are on the SOP 50 10 8 special-purpose list; a third-party study is normally required with an industry-experienced going-concern appraiser and elevated equity.

    SBA Lending Data: Marinas and Boat Storage in Virginia

    SBA 7(a) and 504 lenders funded 13 marina and boat storage projects across Virginia between FY2010 and FY2026, moving $18.3 million in approved capital at an average ticket of $1.4 million. That volume places Virginia at #10 of 38 states measured for marina and boat storage SBA activity, or 4.5% of national marina and boat storage dollars. The 7(a) program carried 76.9% of the loan count, with 504 taking the balance, and 2 approvals have hit the pipeline since FY2024.

    Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026)13
    Approved volume$18.3 million
    Average loan size$1.4 million
    7(a) share76.9%
    Approvals since FY20242
    State rank by loan count#10 of 38

    The state-level seasoned cohort in this segment is below our publication threshold of 30 loans, so no state rate is shown. Nationally, seasoned marina and boat storage loans (approvals FY2010–FY2021) show an adverse-resolution rate of 3.0%, against 7.3% across all industries.

    Source: SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan-level data, as of March 31, 2026. Disbursed loans only. See data methodology.

    What this means for your loan application

    An adverse-resolution rate of 3.0%, close to the national marina and boat storage benchmark of 3.0%, puts Virginia deals in this class on ordinary SBA credit footing. Across 13 loans averaging $1.4 million, the underwriting question is deal-specific: a rigorous third-party feasibility study is where documented demand and stressed coverage decide the credit outcome.

    Work with SBA feasibility study consultants

    Every Virginia marinas and boat storage project we underwrite follows the same lender ready process: independent market analysis, site and technical review, and financial projections tested against SBA SOP 50 10 8 standards. Our SBA feasibility study consultants guide explains scope, timing, deliverables, and what lenders and CDCs expect in the report.

    Program fit

    Virginia projects often pencil under SBA 504 because the 50/40/10 structure delivers up to 90 percent financing on owner-occupied real estate at a fixed debenture rate, decisive in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads land markets. SBA 7(a) covers acquisitions, working capital, and equipment, and from July 4, 2026 eligible borrowers can combine 7(a) and 504 for up to $10 million in total program credit.

    Virginia evidence

    The Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the country, anchors one of the deepest boating economies on the East Coast from the Northern Neck through Hampton Roads.

    For a national view of this asset class, see our marina and boat storage SBA feasibility overview, and read our related analysis in the marina and boat storage lending research on our blog.

    Compare neighboring markets: Texas, Washington.

    Program evidence

    Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence

    Marina purchase and improvement

    Anonymized SBA 504 program record published by 504 Capital Corporation

    Chesapeake-based CDC serving Virginia, Maryland, DC, and North Carolina, anonymized program record

    Virginia

    Boat dealer second-location expansion

    Anonymized SBA 504 program record published by 504 Capital Corporation

    Anonymized program record

    Virginia

    Lake LBJ Boutique Resort and Marina

    SBA 504 acquisition through PeopleFund

    Lakefront resort and marina, national program evidence

    Sunrise Beach, Llano County, Texas

    Frequently asked questions

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