McPhee reservoir boating enthusiasts are getting ready to pull off the tarps and head for the water — but they may not have a marina to dock up at this summer.

As of March 27, there were no signs of activity at McPhee Marina & Restaurant, located west of Dolores off Colorado Highway 184, and a "For Sale" sign is hanging prominently on the front gate.

Herb Heroux, the marina’s current owner, is spending his winter in Florida and could not be reached for comment Monday. However, Cortez First National Bank vice president, Kevin Mullikin, confirmed that the marina has been listed for sale. "The owner has told us that there are a few parties possibly interested in buying the marina but we are not sure when this might happen," Mullikin said, "It could be later this month or next season," he said.

Since the marina was purchased by Heroux, it has provided water sport devotees with slip and buoy rentals, boat rentals and repair, a tackle shop, fishing licenses, guide services, a gas dock, and a sunset boat cruise.

Attached to the marina is a convenience store and a restaurant which offers private parties and catering.

Gary Apple, a recreation technician for the Forest Service’s Mancos-Dolores Ranger District, said that he is still unsure about what is going on with the marina.

"We have received a lot of calls from local boat owners and I have heard rumors ... but I am not really sure what is going on yet," Apple said.

"At the minimum, we are going to have a late opening this summer," he said. "There are a number of walkways that need to be repaired and the breakwater [an offshore structure used to break up the force of waves] is broken and needs to be fixed before the marina will be able to open," Apple said.

Apple said that the public boat ramp will be available for use at the start of the season, but the courtesy docks might not.

"Usually the marina helps us put in the docks but it may take a little longer this year if we have to do it ourselves," he said.

Lonnie Armstrong, manager of the Sportsman’s Center, said Monday that she had not heard anything about the marina’s sale — and she was not alone. Many of the other local boat related business owners were also surprised to hear of the marina’s status.