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This according to owner Doug Davis, who said the business will be run as if it were not on the market, as financial difficulty is not part of the equation.

With the marina undergoing an improvement and expansion project that will last three to five years, Davis simply claims he's not interested in investing the time and energy into the project. Aged somewhere over 60, Davis offers to pass the torch to potential buyers even though the business is flaming.

"I'm the most excited I've been in 10 years," he said. "It's going to be a good summer. If I were 10 years younger there's no doubt I'd continue."

Endurance may be needed if buyers don't dock in this economic recession, and no offers have been made, "but you never know," Davis said.

In the present, Dewitt Marine will be run as if nothing but boats were for sale, and investments will continue to be made on new equipment and shop tools, according to Davis.

"We have a commitment to people on the lake, to get them in the water and keep them running all summer long," he said. "I can't wait for people to get back."

The decision to sell Dewitt Marine was also influenced by the absence of former manager Warren Corteggiano, who may have seen such an extensive project through to completion.

"Warren was carrying most of the load on this project," Davis said.

Corteggiano left the marina after working to expand the number of floating boat slips by 32 last year. The expansion was discouraged by some local residents, who formed a lake association in the process. Friends of Clam Lake was born out of opposition to the additional slips, which they believed would increase congestion in an already crowded waterway.

The past opposition is water under the bridge, according to Davis.

"Our best wishes and support for the employees, current owners and any future owners," Friends of Clam Lake wrote on their website. "Dewitt Marine has been and will hopefully continue to be an important part of 'Up North.'"