For the past two months, the Port Orchard Yacht Club (POYC) has been quietly negotiating with Port Orchard Marine Railway owner Hilton Smith to purchase his waterfront property, moorage, and DNR lease rights. The asking price is reportedly $2.2 million.

Smith approached the club about its possible interest in the Marine Railway shortly after selling his other business, Horluck Transportation, to Kitsap Transit.

Smith has since filed a lawsuit against the agency over a withheld payment on one of the boats included in the purchase. Kitsap Transit claims the boat wasn’t in the seaworthy condition it was represented to be, while Smith claims it was.

The POYC has undertaken a feasibility study to determine if the Marine Railway property can accommodate the club’s future needs and if the club can in fact afford to buy the property without straining its finances.

When the study is completed, a report will be issued and the membership will vote on whether or not to proceed with any further negotiations.