You've got to be kidding!

[magster65]

As if boating isn't expensive enough. I found out today that the marina where I keep my boat is increasing the annual moorage from $6.89 to $8.95 (per foot per month if paid annually) plus tax... and they're measuring the slip, not the boat. That's a 30% increase in one year (almost 40% because of paying for the slip). Unfortunately the other marinas I called today have done the same or similar so I'm gonna' have to pay it or sell my boat. The new moorage rate will be just under $3500 for the year paid up front... power is an extra $25 a month. I'll crunch some numbers but I for one am not going to be able to come up with that kind of money. I'm still in a bit of shock...

 

[KRS]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

WOW, that is expensive. I'm lucky to trailer mine home.<br /><br />Maybe you can live on it for that price

 

[glasply1]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

There must be a bit of collusion among the members of the marina association. Ours had a slight increase this year; none last year. My terminal paranoia makes me wonder if they discuss rate increases and new rules when they get together in their association gatherings. They kind of have us over a barrel. Like me: no trailer and my family vehicles don't have the horsepower to tow my boat if I did have a trailer.<br /> It really gets expensive when you divide the annual cost by the number of times you take the boat out each year. I try not to think of the money part too much. In fact during salmon and cruising seasons I just enjoy the boat.

 

[magster65]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

Originally posted by richmllr:<br /> There must be a bit of collusion among the members of the marina association.

You think? Me too and so do most of the other boat owners here. The Oak Bay marine group owns a few marinas and I think maybe they're the cause. I don't really know... maybe the recent spike in property assessments has increased the marina's taxes to the point where they have to do something? On that topic, why hasn't the municipality reduced the mill rate? Who knows... all I know is that I need a deal on moorage before the end of March or my boat's for sale (it's 10 000 pounds, I don't have a trailer, my quad cab wouldn't haul it safely anyways and it barely fits in my driveway to boot). I'll definately buy another boat but it'll be a smaller one on a trailer. Things could be worse I know but this really bites the big one! It seems like the harder I try, the more I lose these days! Dammit!

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

Sounds like the oil cartel system has spilled over into the marina business. Get a smaller boat and trailer it?

 

[rosco_59]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

If you want Big, you have to be able to pay for it. If not get a smaller one like most with a trailer and take it home with you.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

Wow, I cant believe it's under $10/foot/month. An empty slip here for that wouldnt be on the market a day. The marins here are going to "boataminimums". You buy the rack and pay a monthly fee like at a condo. Rack space under 30' is going for about 50K if you find one being built. After they're sold they're at least 75K on a resale.<br /><br />Just heard the other day that they're trying to get a law passed that you cannot keep a boat on a trailer at your house in Fla. It has to be "professionally stored". Not just in gated communities but everywhere statewide.

 

[magster65]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

Originally posted by Dhadley:<br /> Wow, I cant believe it's under $10/foot/month. An empty slip here for that wouldnt be on the market a day. The marins here are going to "boataminimums". You buy the rack and pay a monthly fee like at a condo. Rack space under 30' is going for about 50K if you find one being built. After they're sold they're at least 75K on a resale.<br /><br />Just heard the other day that they're trying to get a law passed that you cannot keep a boat on a trailer at your house in Fla. It has to be "professionally stored". Not just in gated communities but everywhere statewide.

We have something similar to that but it applies to motorhomes. They can't be parked where you can see them from the road. I'm sure it's only a matter of timer before boats are 'illegal' to have in your yard!

 

[KaGee]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

It's supply and demand. Trust me, a few empty slips will cause them to re-think their economics. Your immediate problem is that they probably are turning people away each year. With the higher fuel costs, you'll see a shake out.

 

[Kalian]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

Wow! I feel for you Magster. I'd sell the boat before I paid that kinda money, whether I could afford it or not. <br /><br /> I guess we know who's in bed with the politicians, eh Dhadely?

 

[magster65]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

Originally posted by KaGee:<br /> It's supply and demand. Trust me, a few empty slips will cause them to re-think their economics. Your immediate problem is that they probably are turning people away each year. With the higher fuel costs, you'll see a shake out.

This is what I'm hoping too... and yes, all the marinas are full around here. It's not uncommon to have to wait to get a spot.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

I really dont think the marinas are behind the "no boats at home" deal. At least not around here. They realize that the majority of their business comes from boats not stored there. If the boating population is cut in half, they'll have to charge twice as much to make the same. And that will cause more boates to take up something else as a hobby.<br /><br />If you think about it a little you'll figure out who wants to stop recreational boating.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

That's outrageous. Move here.

 

[watered down]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

Yeah, that is a lot to pay. I hate it when the rising costs of things keep us from doing what we enjoy. <br /><br />That's the main reason we didn't look bigger. <br /><br />As with our friends in FL above, prices out here are 5 times that high. There aren't a lot of large lakes down here so most slips are on the coast...and there simply are none available. In Santa Barbara, they have a 100 yr waiting list!!!!

 

[magster65]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

I called around today, there isn't much available really. The one marina that's quite a bit less expensive, not surprisingly, has a big waiting list. I don't want to sell my boat but I don't think I have a choice now.<br />I could afford to moor a trailerable smaller boat(24'ish) for a few months in the summer. It won't be that bad. Waaa! <br />See my new thread on best trailerable boat under 25'. I'd like some input on that topic too

 

[BOBPELL]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

Originally posted by Dhadley:<br /><br /><br />Just heard the other day that they're trying to get a law passed that you cannot keep a boat on a trailer at your house in Fla. It has to be "professionally stored". Not just in gated communities but everywhere statewide.

Where did you hear about this? I would like more info on this please!

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

A trailerable boat kept on someones farm is a cheap way to go.

 

[QC]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

Hey mags,<br /><br />Have you thought about a mooring instead?

 

[samsam]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

Originally posted by KaGee:<br /> It's supply and demand. Trust me, a few empty slips will cause them to re-think their economics. Your immediate problem is that they probably are turning people away each year. With the higher fuel costs, you'll see a shake out.

Supply and demand is probably right. There's a big demand and short supply for land for houses/condos on the water, even better if they come with their own private docks. I wouldn't bet on prices going down. At $3-4-5000 a year, it wouldn't take too long to pay off a truck and trailer that would pull a big boat. The truck doesn't have to be new and if all it did was pull the boat around it probably wouldn't get much use. A partnership in a boat might make sense, also. Sam

 

[mkuehnl]

Re: You've got to be kidding!

Trailer your boat and use the money for the increase in gas prices...