Re: Marina Scam?
This is a big "just stop and think about it" moment:
I agree with Bruce--the surveyor is just as likely trying to cover his butt for something he didn't check. Not necessarily, but consider the possibility before you call someone who might be looking out for you a cheat.*
If you own a marina and repair business, why not restrict outside vendors? Do you take your own food to a restaurant and use their kitchen? That marina pays a lot in taxes to own the waterfront real estate where your mechanic is coming to make money, with his lower overhead on his inland shop. They should, however, approve vendors who do work that they don't, such as a canvas company.
There is also a problem with some people working on their boats in the marina--just like some apartment complexes have similar rules in the parking lot. You are going to paint a 26' boat--are you putting it on blocks on their land? For how long? Would you be nervous if your boat was sitting next to a guy putting his on home-made blocks--teetering in your direction? Are you ready for his overspray? Oil spills? Dismantled boat sitting there for weeks while he waits for parts, money for parts, money for a real mechanic to fix the stuff he messed up, time to get back to the project? You may not realize that you benefit from the rule.
Surely the rule doesn't mean you can't do "any work." Surely you can do your wiring, install a bimini, change your filters, varnish your teak, etc. But I am familiar with yards where you can work on your own, and they have to be careful with each other and that everyone knows what he is doing: if you have painted or varnished a wooden boat you can't have a yahoo tearing through the gravel parking lot throwing up dust.
Also when marinas charge more than inland facilities, whether it's for winterizing or ice and bloodworms, note that you are paying for convenience. For me, since I work, every hour has a price. So I'd compare the "upcharge" on bottom painting to the time to go get the trailer from wherever, pull the boat up and secure it, drive to inland facility, drive home; drive back to pick up boat, launch boat, return trailer. 6 hours of my Saturday? I'll do better working Tuesday and having the boat ready to go. I know this doesn't apply to everyone, but there is a cost factor, if only opportunity cost, for any time spent (time spent towing v. playing with grandchildren--price it out).
I also don't mind keeping the marina in business and its employees paid, so it will be there when I need it--if the marina doesn't make it, it will sell out for condo's and you will be trailer bound. You'll say "boo hoo they sold out." Where were you?
*OTOH there's a garage here who always always said I needed either new tires or brake work every time I took one of my 3 cars there for anything. No more. So yes there are scammers and those who take advantage, and you have to be careful.
