Jim Scott of O’Hara doesn’t have a boat.
Yet.
But as the new owner of two established Allegheny County marinas — Fox Chapel Yacht Club and South Side Marina—Scott’s interest in a boat is ramping up.
“I feel like you can’t own a marina without a boat,” said Scott during a tour Jan. 13 of the Fox Chapel Yacht Club in O’Hara.
Scott, 42, bought the Fox Chapel Yacht Club for $8 million in December from David Maxwell, according to Allegheny County online property records.
Scott, who has more than 20 years of expertise in the commercial real estate industry, said he is excited to continue the legacy of the largest full-service marina along the Allegheny River.
“I’m the new steward of these great assets,” Scott said. “I’m honored.”
The Fox Chapel Yacht Club at 1366 Old Freeport Road encompasses 12 acres and 320 boat slips.
The South Side Marina has 265 slips along the Monongahela River.
Boat slips at both locations are leased seasonally, generally from April to October.
River revitalization
A lifelong Pittsburgher, Scott spent time on the Allegheny River boating with friends and recalled a time when Pittsburgh’s heavy industry presence was visible along the shores.
“It’s night and day the difference in the rivers. A lot of that industry is gone. I can’t believe how clear the Allegheny River water is now,” he said.
Scott stressed the marina will operate “business as usual,” and 2026 slip rental rates have not changed.
“As someone that lives in the Fox Chapel area, this is something that I want to own and be part of for the long term,” said Scott, a father of three young children alongside his wife, Jamie. “We want to make thoughtful improvements over time.”
Examples of improvements at the Fox Chapel Yacht Club will be determined after Scott surveys members of the boating community at both marinas.
He plans to listen to their marina needs and wants to make business-related decisions accordingly.
“Some of these people have been here for decades, and they know it better than I do,” Scott said.
The Fox Chapel Yacht Club is a full-service marina with a gas dock, office/warehouse buildings, an Olympic-size outdoor pool with seasonal memberships, The Baja Bar & Grill and other tenants on-site including the Fox Chapel Day Spa.
A 9,100-square-foot vacancy is available and offers views of the Allegheny River.
Anchored in Pittsburgh
Scott attended boarding school at The Kiski School in Saltsburg and graduated from the University of Tennessee, moving back to Pittsburgh to pursue a career in real estate.
“I always knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Scott said.
Owning a landmark marina and a bit of Fox Chapel-area nautical history is meaningful for Scott.
“I feel honored to be able to have the opportunity to acquire these assets.
“While certainly the boating community knows a lot about boat marinas, I want to get more awareness out that we’re here.”
Scott aims to dispel the notion that the yacht club is private — it’s not.
The restaurant is open to the public, and free parking is available.
The pool operates with seasonally based memberships.
“Anybody can join,” Scott said. “The pool is great, and there’s a healthy membership that’s been going there for decades.”
Shortly after buying the marina, Scott sent a courtesy email introducing himself to all active pool members and boaters.
“I told them there’s no drastic or major changes happening, and we want to welcome everyone with open arms,” Scott said.
He started his Pittsburgh based firm, North South Partners, two years ago and plans to be on-site at the Fox Chapel Yacht Club with a personal ownership approach.
“I’ll be down here daily with my dog, Charlie,” said Scott, who enjoys daily walks with Charlie on a 3-mile route that includes walking by the marina.
Those walks led to Scott to pursue acquisition of the marina.
“I would see the Baja jumping, and boaters and people on the water tubing and the pool is busy,” Scott said. “This seems really interesting to me. And I love the water.”
Scott was inspired by a summer trip to Nantucket, Mass., with its nautical, preppy and lushly landscaped appeal — and envisions a similar vibe when considering landscaping options for the marina.
One of the public marina perks to boaters is free transient docking to dine at Baja.
Fox Chapel Yacht Club pool member Christopher Evans of O’Hara informally met with Scott to discuss the pool.
Evans, a member for three years, said he’s happy to see new leadership at the marina.
“I’m so thrilled for what he’s going to be bringing to the table. I gave him some of my member feedback, and he was very excited about that.
“He’s doing that with a lot of the membership, and I think his leadership is going to be great,” Evans said.
