I live in the Clear Lake, Texas area. I am new to sailing. Actually, I am so new that I have never been sailing and I don't own a sailboat.....YET. Of course there are many things to consider when taking this leap, but the two biggest are what type of boat and what will this hobby cost me. I have done enough surfing of the classifieds to conclude that there are 23 to 25 foot used sailboats out there that are in my price range (still reading and researching as to what type and how to buy). HOWEVER, I was shocked to discover the monthly rates for boat slips (cost as much as the freakin' boat!). Besides buying a condo on the water that has a boat slip, are there any other alternatives to renting a boat slip from full service marinas? It seems that I only need a place to dock and tie up. I'm not interested in tennis courts, restaurants, swimming pools, showers, yada yada yada.... Any ideas???? Thanks, Tom
Boat Slips
- Thread starter tommy tx
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Slip Alternatives
Tommy, I am not familiar with the Clear Lake area marinas, but in general, there are other options. For one, boats you mentioned in the 23' to 25' range are often trailerable. When shopping, consider a boat that also has a trailer. Many sailors prefer to keep their boats at their homes or in a dry storage area on the trailer to avoid marina fees. If you prefer to leave the boat in the water, you can look for marinas without all the frills. I currenlty pay $70 per month for my slip for a 31' boat. It includes water and electricity, but has no showers or other amenities. I don't need them anyway. A third option is to rent a mooring ball. Again, not knowing what is available in your area, this may or may not be an option. A mooring ball is basically a hook that is securely anchored to the lake bottom. You secure your boat to the line that extends up from the bottom to a floating ball. You would need a dinghy to get from shore to your boat and back. Hope this helps some. Maybe someone who knows your area better can provide more specific information. Good luck with your future sailing plans.
Tommy, I am not familiar with the Clear Lake area marinas, but in general, there are other options. For one, boats you mentioned in the 23' to 25' range are often trailerable. When shopping, consider a boat that also has a trailer. Many sailors prefer to keep their boats at their homes or in a dry storage area on the trailer to avoid marina fees. If you prefer to leave the boat in the water, you can look for marinas without all the frills. I currenlty pay $70 per month for my slip for a 31' boat. It includes water and electricity, but has no showers or other amenities. I don't need them anyway. A third option is to rent a mooring ball. Again, not knowing what is available in your area, this may or may not be an option. A mooring ball is basically a hook that is securely anchored to the lake bottom. You secure your boat to the line that extends up from the bottom to a floating ball. You would need a dinghy to get from shore to your boat and back. Hope this helps some. Maybe someone who knows your area better can provide more specific information. Good luck with your future sailing plans.
No Moorings
that I know of. I'm not sure about the cheapest marinas. I stopped my searching when I found out there is only one TRUE 365 day marina (The boardwalk) and it wasn't too much more then some of the others and cheaper then some too. With that being said...you may find something around $150 (about $6 a foot) if you look hard enough. Slip fees are actually low compared to other places in the country (SC is $11 per foot, Miami is $18 per foot, Cali is about $11 if I remember correctly). You can always create your own mooring but not sure where you would put it. I've seen some anchor out on the south side of the Kemah side of the bay for a long time. I've seen one anchor in that little "Pond" just west of the bridge. I would bet though the best idea is to get a trailer boat with a trailer. One great advantage of that is that you can work on it at home (I did it with my first boat and miss that now).
that I know of. I'm not sure about the cheapest marinas. I stopped my searching when I found out there is only one TRUE 365 day marina (The boardwalk) and it wasn't too much more then some of the others and cheaper then some too. With that being said...you may find something around $150 (about $6 a foot) if you look hard enough. Slip fees are actually low compared to other places in the country (SC is $11 per foot, Miami is $18 per foot, Cali is about $11 if I remember correctly). You can always create your own mooring but not sure where you would put it. I've seen some anchor out on the south side of the Kemah side of the bay for a long time. I've seen one anchor in that little "Pond" just west of the bridge. I would bet though the best idea is to get a trailer boat with a trailer. One great advantage of that is that you can work on it at home (I did it with my first boat and miss that now).
My first sailing was in
a 15 foot canoe that I could car top. I built my own rig, sewed the sail and for about four years my total cost for sailing was about 500 dollars including the canoe. The real question is do you want to go sailing or do you want a sail boat? You can have a grand time in a small boat in small water at very low cost.
a 15 foot canoe that I could car top. I built my own rig, sewed the sail and for about four years my total cost for sailing was about 500 dollars including the canoe. The real question is do you want to go sailing or do you want a sail boat? You can have a grand time in a small boat in small water at very low cost.
B.O.A.T.
Get used to the costs associated with boat ownership, especially the early years when you will either be upgrading an older boat or putting together a newer boat. As the old sayings go, "You didn't buy a boat to save money, did you?" or "A boat is a big hole in the water to throw your money." or "BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand." It is supposed to be a relaxing event and how many people scimp on their hobbies.
Get used to the costs associated with boat ownership, especially the early years when you will either be upgrading an older boat or putting together a newer boat. As the old sayings go, "You didn't buy a boat to save money, did you?" or "A boat is a big hole in the water to throw your money." or "BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand." It is supposed to be a relaxing event and how many people scimp on their hobbies.
trailer sail
Gulf Coast sailing center near Watergate has space you can leave your mast up with boat on trailer and dry sail. Great alternative to keeping boat in water.
Gulf Coast sailing center near Watergate has space you can leave your mast up with boat on trailer and dry sail. Great alternative to keeping boat in water.
another thing
I don't know beans about Texas, but the lake near my home has yard storage for trailerable boats. That way you don't pay a gazillion for a slip, but you don't have to raise your mast every outing. What I did was a little sunfish sailing, then went on a skippered 2 day with my wife, then took the kids for a day, then spent "too much" for a boat I use too little. Of course that's because if I used it "enough" I wouldn't have time to work, sleep, eat...
I don't know beans about Texas, but the lake near my home has yard storage for trailerable boats. That way you don't pay a gazillion for a slip, but you don't have to raise your mast every outing. What I did was a little sunfish sailing, then went on a skippered 2 day with my wife, then took the kids for a day, then spent "too much" for a boat I use too little. Of course that's because if I used it "enough" I wouldn't have time to work, sleep, eat...
marinas
if your looking for a no frills slip you can find one in the area for a 23 to 25 footer for under 100.00 a mo. i think marina del sol has an 89.00 a mo deal right now but their are others for 65.00 aroud no pool no nothing but if cheap is what your looking for then.....
if your looking for a no frills slip you can find one in the area for a 23 to 25 footer for under 100.00 a mo. i think marina del sol has an 89.00 a mo deal right now but their are others for 65.00 aroud no pool no nothing but if cheap is what your looking for then.....
Thanks
Thanks to all that replied. My future father-in-law has offered to let me use his sailboat after I take a sailing course (an ASA Basic Keel two day course). Once I learn to sail and have spent some time doing it, I can decide how to proceed on buying my own sailboat and whether to trailer or slip it. Thanks, Tommy
Thanks to all that replied. My future father-in-law has offered to let me use his sailboat after I take a sailing course (an ASA Basic Keel two day course). Once I learn to sail and have spent some time doing it, I can decide how to proceed on buying my own sailboat and whether to trailer or slip it. Thanks, Tommy
texaspsdx < HAS A GOOD THOUGHT...
Consider a "mast up" site...$60.$70./month. Contact SAILVENTURE, INC. in Clear Lake as I did, and he can hook you up with a great 26' MacGregor (an easy to sail, maintain, trailerable, and upgradeable boat). Talk to Lance Beauchamp, CPA. A knowledgeable sailor, and honest guy at SAILVENTURE. Happy Sailing to you and yours !!! The Holub Boat Kemah, Texas
Consider a "mast up" site...$60.$70./month. Contact SAILVENTURE, INC. in Clear Lake as I did, and he can hook you up with a great 26' MacGregor (an easy to sail, maintain, trailerable, and upgradeable boat). Talk to Lance Beauchamp, CPA. A knowledgeable sailor, and honest guy at SAILVENTURE. Happy Sailing to you and yours !!! The Holub Boat Kemah, Texas
...another option
is to look for a sailing club...around here, we have a couple clubs that for about $200 hundred to join and less than $100 per month you get to sail a lot of different boats in the 22 - 27 foot range. You would get a lot practice / sailing time, NO maintenance and no slip fee. After you find the type boat you like,...buy one. I did my ASA intro courses in 2000 at Bay Area Sailing on Clear Lake and was very pleased with the quality of their instruction.
is to look for a sailing club...around here, we have a couple clubs that for about $200 hundred to join and less than $100 per month you get to sail a lot of different boats in the 22 - 27 foot range. You would get a lot practice / sailing time, NO maintenance and no slip fee. After you find the type boat you like,...buy one. I did my ASA intro courses in 2000 at Bay Area Sailing on Clear Lake and was very pleased with the quality of their instruction.
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