By any measure, real estate sales are slow, but developers in the boating world seem to have a sunnier outlook, as plans for megayacht marinas continue to roll out. The latest at Porto Cupecoy, a residential community in St. Maarten that will be managed by Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises, will have a 50-slip marina able to accommodate boats ranging in size from 50 to 300 feet.

The development, on the Dutch side of the island shared with St. Martin, will also have 180 one- to four-bedroom residences with prices ranging from $650,000 to $2.5 million.

In the boating world, anything over 80 feet in length is considered a megayacht though much of the new big ship building has focused on boats topping 200 feet. Developers of several second home real estate projects are eying both vacation home buyers and boat owners looking for a place to park their ever larger ships.

On the Dominican Republic, Angsana Samana Bay will have a 280-slip marina for boats of up to 120 feet in length. In St. Thomas, Yacht Haven Grande can accommodate 48 megayachts—its 12 villa residences start at $2 million. Yacht Haven Grande is also looking to build a megayacht marina on Anguilla. On the Pacific Ocean, Porto Hussong in Ensenada, Mexico has plans for a megayacht marina along with fractional ownership residences.

However, the real estate slow down is clearly impacting luxury projects beyond the U.S. borders. Orient-Express, in its latest earnings report, said it did not sell a single residence at the Porto Cupecoy in the second quarter of this year.

Porto Cupecoy, developed with S&P Destination Properties, will have tennis courts, swimming pools and a sailing school. Property management for absentee owners will be handled by the Cupecoy Yacht Club, which can oversee rentals as well as the upkeep of the home. Buyers have the option to purchase a fully turnkey home, complete with décor and even linens, dishes and electronic equipment. The first homes will be complete in the summer of 2009.