Off The Hook Yachts (OTH) signs deal to acquire Bellhart Marine service platform
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Off The Hook YS Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bellhart Marine Group, LLC and its affiliated entities, subject to customary closing conditions and approvals. Bellhart is a well-regarded marine service provider in the Carolinas.
The deal is positioned as a transformational step toward building a “Mega Service & Refit Center” platform in the Carolinas, integrating three key facilities: Cape Fear River Shipyard for heavy service and yacht refits, a Market Street outboard service and repower center, and the expanded Sloop Point Marina dry stack service and sales hub.
By bringing Bellhart’s nearly two decades of service expertise and diesel capabilities in-house, Off The Hook aims to accelerate inventory reconditioning, improve gross margins through lower service costs, increase service capacity, and enhance the consistency of customer experience, complementing its AI-driven marine marketplace and existing East Coast “Mega Hub” footprint.
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8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
definitive agreement financial
Mega Service & Refit Center financial
vertically integrated financial
forward-looking statements regulatory
customary closing conditions financial
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On April 2, 2026, Off The Hook YS Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release: “Off The Hook Yachts Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Bellhart Marine, Creating the Carolinas’ Premier Mega Service & Refit Platform”. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
The information under Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and the exhibit attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, or incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit Number | Exhibits | |
| 99.1 | Press Release of Off the Hook YS Inc. entitled “Off The Hook Yachts Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Bellhart Marine, Creating the Carolinas’ Premier Mega Service & Refit Platform” dated April 2, 2026. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Date: April 2, 2026 | Off The Hook YS Inc. | |
| By: | /s/ Brian John | |
| Name: | Brian John | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
Exhibit 99.1
Off The Hook Yachts Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Bellhart Marine, Creating the Carolinas’ Premier Mega Service & Refit Platform
Wilmington, NC – April 2, 2026 – Off The Hook YS Inc. (NYSE American: OTH) (“Off The Hook Yachts” or “Off The Hook” or “the Company”), a vertically integrated, AI-powered marine marketplace and one of the largest buyers and sellers of used boats in the United States, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bellhart Marine Group, LLC, along with its affiliated entities Bellhart Marine Services, LLC, Specialized Mechanical Services, LLC, and Specialized Mechanical Services, Inc. (collectively, “Bellhart”).
Transformational Step Toward a Mega Service & Refit Platform
This acquisition represents a major strategic expansion of Off The Hook’s service capabilities, positioning the Company to build what it believes will become the premier marine “Mega Service & Refit Center” platform in the Carolinas.
The combined platform is designed to function as a high-efficiency reconditioning and service engine, enabling the Company to rapidly intake, service, refit, and remarket vessels at scale.
By bringing best-in-class service operations in-house, Off The Hook expects to:
| ● | Significantly accelerate inventory reconditioning timelines | |
| ● | Improve gross margins through lower service costs | |
| ● | Increase control over quality and execution | |
| ● | Enhance speed-to-market for resale inventory |
“This is an infrastructure-driven acquisition,” said Jason Ruegg, Founder of Off The Hook Yachts. “We are building what we believe will be one of the most efficient marine service and refit platforms on the East Coast—allowing us to recondition boats faster, more cost-effectively, and at a higher level of consistency than the traditional model.”
Establishing a Three-Location Mega Service Network
As part of the transaction, Off The Hook will operate an integrated, multi-location service platform across three strategic facilities:
Cape Fear River Shipyard (Heavy Service & Yacht Refit Hub)
A full-service shipyard capable of hauling vessels up to approximately 70 tons, supporting major refits, structural work, and large-yacht service projects.
Market Street Facility (Outboard Service & Repower Center)
A high-volume service and diagnostics center focused on outboard engines, repowers, and ongoing maintenance, while also serving as a primary sales and customer interface location.
Sloop Point Marina (Dry Stack Service & Sales Hub)
Following recent approval to expand to approximately 450 dry stack racks, this location will serve as a high-density service and sales hub. Bellhart will lead service operations and new boat sales, supporting a large and growing captive customer base.
Strategic Geographic and Cost Advantage
Off The Hook believes its Wilmington-based service platform provides a unique competitive advantage:
| ● | Lower refit and service costs compared to South Florida, making it economically advantageous to transport certain vessels to North Carolina for refurbishment | |
| ● | Strategic positioning between Florida and the Northeast boating markets, allowing efficient movement of inventory | |
| ● | Immediate access (approximately 5–10 minutes) to Wilmington International Airport, enabling convenient travel for buyers to inspect vessels |
This combination of cost efficiency, location, and accessibility is expected to expand the Company’s buyer reach while improving profitability on reconditioned inventory.
Enhancing Vertical Integration Through Service Excellence
The acquisition strengthens Off The Hook’s vertically integrated model by adding nearly two decades of service expertise from Bellhart, along with deep diesel capabilities from Specialized Diesel.
Bellhart is widely recognized as a leading marine service provider in the Carolinas, with a strong reputation for quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
By integrating these operations, the Company expects to:
| ● | Reduce reliance on third-party service providers | |
| ● | Increase service throughput and capacity | |
| ● | Improve turnaround time on inventory | |
| ● | Deliver a more consistent and higher-quality customer experience |
“Service is one of the most important—and historically fragmented—components of the marine industry,” added Ruegg. “By bringing this capability in-house with proven operators like Bellhart and Specialized Diesel, we are creating a platform that is faster, more efficient, and more scalable.”
Scaling Platform Synergies and Inventory Throughput
The addition of Bellhart’s operations is expected to further enhance Off The Hook’s ability to efficiently source, recondition, and remarket inventory, supporting faster transaction cycles and improved capital efficiency.
When combined with the Company’s proprietary AI-driven marketplace and acquisition engine, the expanded service infrastructure is expected to:
| ● | Increase inventory velocity | |
| ● | Improve margin capture | |
| ● | Support more consistent execution across markets |
“This acquisition aligns directly with our long-term strategy of building a scalable, infrastructure-backed platform,” said Brian John, Chief Executive Officer of Off The Hook Yachts. “By significantly expanding our service capabilities, we are positioning the Company to drive increased transaction volume, improve operating efficiency, and enhance long-term profitability.”
Transaction Details
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including due diligence and third-party approvals, and is expected to close within a standard transaction timeline.
About Off The Hook YS Inc.
Founded in 2012, Off The Hook YS Inc. is a vertically integrated, AI-powered marine marketplace transforming how boats are bought, sold, and financed across the United States. Leveraging proprietary technology, deep transaction data, and a national acquisition network, the Company increases speed, transparency, and inventory velocity across boat brokerage, wholesale trading, auctions, financing, and marine services, with an integrated ecosystem that includes Autograph Yacht Group, Azure Funding, and proprietary lead-generation platforms. Headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, Off The Hook is rapidly expanding its national footprint and market share within the $57 billion U.S. marine industry.
Contact
Off The Hook YS Inc.
Chad Corbin, Chief Financial Officer
chadcorbin@offthehookys.com
Investor
Relations
ir@offthehookys.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on Off The Hook YS Inc.’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the final prospectus related to the public offering filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Off The Hook YS Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.
FAQ
What did Off The Hook YS Inc. (OTH) announce in this 8-K filing?
Who is Bellhart Marine and why is it important to Off The Hook YS Inc. (OTH)?
How will the Bellhart Marine acquisition change Off The Hook YS Inc.’s (OTH) service network?
What operational benefits does Off The Hook YS Inc. (OTH) expect from acquiring Bellhart Marine?
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Filing Exhibits & Attachments
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