Maryland investor buys Skeleton Key Marina in Pasco
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jul 7, 2015

Skeleton Key Marina in Pasco County has been sold to a Maryland investor for 50 percent more than the seller expected to get.

Marcus & Millichap's Leisure Investment Properties Group, based in Tampa, announced the sale Monday. The 110-slip marina, which has direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, offers wet and dry rack storage options, a fuel dock, boat rentals and a ship's store.

It sold for $1.35 million to a "Maryland business owner looking to build his investment portfolio." Dan Grovatt, a marina specialist with the Leisure Investment Properties Group, represented the seller. Grovatt and Matt Putnam, national marina director for the group, represented the buyer.

Grovatt's direct marketing campaign, according to Marcus & Millichap, resulted in five offers and an executed contract within 30 days.

The buyer has no previous experience with marinas, according to the release, but intends to continue operating it as a full-service facility.

"Ultimately, it was our access to qualified capital and unique ability to articulate the real value of the property that got the deal done," Grovatt said in a statement. "The competitive environment we created combined with our packaging and industry expertise allowed us to net our client 50 percent more than what he had previously thought possible."