Bay Pines Marina Sold After 50 Years: A Family Legacy Ends, a New Chapter Begins

For more than half a century, Bay Pines Marina stood as a family-run landmark on St. Petersburg’s western waterfront. First opened in 1973 by the Travis family, the 7.9-acre marina has been sold to Bowline Marinas, marking the end of one of the city’s longest-running private boating businesses.

A Marina with Deep Roots

The property at 5000 92nd Street N. isn’t just a boatyard. It spans nearly eight acres and includes a 31,500-square-foot dry storage building with 300 spaces, 60 wet slips, and even a tiki bar and restaurant. For the Travis family, it has been much more than a business — it has been part of their identity for multiple generations.

Kyle Travis, who managed the marina for the last decade, described the sale as one of the hardest decisions his family has ever made. “We have a lot of core memories built up here throughout the years,” he said, reflecting on long talks with his father, grandfather, and wife before making the choice.

Hurricanes and Hard Choices

Although the idea of selling had surfaced before, recent challenges forced the family to take the option seriously. Hurricanes Helene and Milton brought flooding that battered the property and surrounding neighborhoods, accelerating the timeline. “The hurricanes may have sped up our timeline a little bit with the massive flooding and everything we saw,” Travis explained.

But family circumstances also played a role. With the family growing and new children on the way, the Travises were dividing assets and making long-term financial adjustments.

Why Bowline?

The marina wasn’t sold to just anyone. Travis worked with Marina Brokerage Advisors, who introduced Bowline Marinas as a potential buyer. After meeting with their leadership team, he felt confident in their vision. “They are young and hungry,” he said. “It seems like they truly do care about the personal relationships we’ve built and the family legacy.”

An Emotional Transition

For Travis, the sale represents both an ending and a beginning. Having worked at Bay Pines since high school, he will now transition into a new role as regional manager with Bowline, overseeing their Florida operations. “I’m proud that I was able to build on my family’s legacy and run a successful business for a long time,” he said. “But I’m also looking forward to creating my own legacy and continuing in the boating business.”

The Bigger Picture

This sale is more than just a business transaction — it’s a reflection of how climate impacts, family transitions, and corporate expansion are reshaping St. Pete’s waterfront. Longtime locals may see it as the close of an era, while others will view it as a chance for fresh energy in a space that has anchored the boating community since the late ’60s.