I am hoping someone out there can point me toward a cheap place to moor a sailboat. I am in process of buying a smaller sailboat, probably between 22 and 26 feet, and budget is a main factor. I found in the past (I sailed for years, back in my late teens and early 20’s) that having the boat in the water and prepared to sail made a big difference in how often I used the boat. I was hoping someone knew of a cheaper place to moor in the RI and MA area. Thanks, George
- Status
Lots of luck
Now that there seems to be a waiting list at many marinas, they now have a license to steal. My last marina went up 20%+ per year between 1998 and 2002. There was no end in sight so I left. My present marina is lower priced that my last one, but they are going up 10%+ per year and are starting to bundle services, ie.- launch service included with mooring (whether or not desired), if you don't winter store you may not have a summer mooring, etc. I expect to pay a fair price for services, but I hate it when I think I am getting gouged.
Now that there seems to be a waiting list at many marinas, they now have a license to steal. My last marina went up 20%+ per year between 1998 and 2002. There was no end in sight so I left. My present marina is lower priced that my last one, but they are going up 10%+ per year and are starting to bundle services, ie.- launch service included with mooring (whether or not desired), if you don't winter store you may not have a summer mooring, etc. I expect to pay a fair price for services, but I hate it when I think I am getting gouged.
Good luck, waiting list's long.
My marina was run for 50 years by Howard. Homey feel, everyone welcome, same price last 10 years. He retired and sold to marina next door. Every year an increase in fees. Turned my long cement wall dock that held 2 sailboats (22 & 25ft.) in line, to 4 slips facing into the lake holding power boats for rent (& me). New owners pushing sailors out, they don't spend enough. Rather have newbies racing around breaking their expensive toys. Sailors tend to work on boats themselves, no profit there. Waiting list a mile long, any problems and "Go somewhere else." is the response you get. Howard come home!
My marina was run for 50 years by Howard. Homey feel, everyone welcome, same price last 10 years. He retired and sold to marina next door. Every year an increase in fees. Turned my long cement wall dock that held 2 sailboats (22 & 25ft.) in line, to 4 slips facing into the lake holding power boats for rent (& me). New owners pushing sailors out, they don't spend enough. Rather have newbies racing around breaking their expensive toys. Sailors tend to work on boats themselves, no profit there. Waiting list a mile long, any problems and "Go somewhere else." is the response you get. Howard come home!
Newburyport Mass
I was up in Newburyport Mass. a month ago and sailed on a friends boat who keeps it moored there. His mooring is with the Newburyport yachtclub and was very cheap. I am not sure about the details of membership and such but it is probably worth for you to give them a call.
I was up in Newburyport Mass. a month ago and sailed on a friends boat who keeps it moored there. His mooring is with the Newburyport yachtclub and was very cheap. I am not sure about the details of membership and such but it is probably worth for you to give them a call.
Mass. moorings
I just found a mooring on Cape Cod, but my experience is that they are expensive and hard to come by. After placing my name on several waiting lists with waits from 4 to 25!!! years I found a marina which just started offering moorings this year at $750 a year. The name is the Goose Hummock shop, in Orleans. The inlet is challenging (Nauset), and I can only use it safely on the top half of the tide with my 2' 6" draft, but at least the boat is in the water. That was the ONLY place I found with no waiting between New Bedford and Hull, MA. If a yacht club is a viable option for you, that might be a better choice than a marina or a town mooring.
I just found a mooring on Cape Cod, but my experience is that they are expensive and hard to come by. After placing my name on several waiting lists with waits from 4 to 25!!! years I found a marina which just started offering moorings this year at $750 a year. The name is the Goose Hummock shop, in Orleans. The inlet is challenging (Nauset), and I can only use it safely on the top half of the tide with my 2' 6" draft, but at least the boat is in the water. That was the ONLY place I found with no waiting between New Bedford and Hull, MA. If a yacht club is a viable option for you, that might be a better choice than a marina or a town mooring.
best of luck
Luckily enought I have a mooring in Waquoit Bay in Falmouth. I have to pay a renewal fee of like $50 each year to hold it, and i had to pay for the mooring and hardware and inspections every 3 years (mandated by the town). $750 for the season doesn't seem too out of price for cape cod, most of the slips in the harbors (falmouth harbor and green pond) were renting for close to $3300 for the season. Most harbors are on a waiting list. I went to put my name on the list to get another mooring for my power boat and they said, the list has been closed for new names, and the wait is 7 years approx. to put a mooring in. Good luck, -Jr
Luckily enought I have a mooring in Waquoit Bay in Falmouth. I have to pay a renewal fee of like $50 each year to hold it, and i had to pay for the mooring and hardware and inspections every 3 years (mandated by the town). $750 for the season doesn't seem too out of price for cape cod, most of the slips in the harbors (falmouth harbor and green pond) were renting for close to $3300 for the season. Most harbors are on a waiting list. I went to put my name on the list to get another mooring for my power boat and they said, the list has been closed for new names, and the wait is 7 years approx. to put a mooring in. Good luck, -Jr
Moorings,
Try up near Portsmouth, I know of a friend that was trying to rent out her mooring this season. I don't think anyone used it this year. She was looking for 1300 per season. If your associated with the military go with the NETC marina. It's 650.00 per season last time I checked. I moored there for 9years, great place and good location. Now I'm in New Bedford, found my mooring for 900.00 for the season and that seems to be the going price. It's not as gloomly as it seems as long as you stay away from the cape area, that is were it is slim pickings. Keep looking and you'll find something.
Try up near Portsmouth, I know of a friend that was trying to rent out her mooring this season. I don't think anyone used it this year. She was looking for 1300 per season. If your associated with the military go with the NETC marina. It's 650.00 per season last time I checked. I moored there for 9years, great place and good location. Now I'm in New Bedford, found my mooring for 900.00 for the season and that seems to be the going price. It's not as gloomly as it seems as long as you stay away from the cape area, that is were it is slim pickings. Keep looking and you'll find something.
thanks all
Thanks all. Looks like a wait list and some real money. I looked into many around me (Newport), but they are hefty in price and cater to larger boats. Anyone know the law on just dropping anchor? LOL George O.
Thanks all. Looks like a wait list and some real money. I looked into many around me (Newport), but they are hefty in price and cater to larger boats. Anyone know the law on just dropping anchor? LOL George O.
Join a Yacht Club
Sometimes joining a yacht club on Narragansett Bay will allow the rental of a cheaper mooring. Although you will still have to join the club. Then there's no guarantees that a mooring will be available. If you are from Newport, try Bristol, Barrington or Tiverton Tacht Clubs.
Sometimes joining a yacht club on Narragansett Bay will allow the rental of a cheaper mooring. Although you will still have to join the club. Then there's no guarantees that a mooring will be available. If you are from Newport, try Bristol, Barrington or Tiverton Tacht Clubs.
Salem, MA
George, I have owned a mooring in Salem for 5+ years now and found it to be very reasonable. You can rent, lease or own from Mid Harbor Marine out of Marblehead. We leased to own and paid $400+/- a year for 3 yrs and now own the mooring. You could rent for probably $500 a season. Salom harbor is next to Marblehead but with out the long waiting list.
George, I have owned a mooring in Salem for 5+ years now and found it to be very reasonable. You can rent, lease or own from Mid Harbor Marine out of Marblehead. We leased to own and paid $400+/- a year for 3 yrs and now own the mooring. You could rent for probably $500 a season. Salom harbor is next to Marblehead but with out the long waiting list.
Tiverton, RI
I started looking last February for a mooring. I tried getting one in the town that I live in (Warren, RI) but the waiting list was too long. I ended up at Standish Boatyard on the Sakonnett River in Tiverton. It was $1150 for a mooring for my 33' Beneteau. The dinghy dock fee was another $150. I checked with a number of marinas in the area, and they were all about the same price. It is a beautiful area, and the service at the marina is good. I am weighing the pros and cons of a slip vs a mooring for next year. The cost for a slip is considerable, but it does allow you to hook up to shore power and water, which are advantages. The disadvantages other than cost are less privacy, and not having the cooling breezes that come with being out on the water, pointing into the wind. I would be curious to hear what other folks have to say about the slip vs mooring question. Good luck on your search!
I started looking last February for a mooring. I tried getting one in the town that I live in (Warren, RI) but the waiting list was too long. I ended up at Standish Boatyard on the Sakonnett River in Tiverton. It was $1150 for a mooring for my 33' Beneteau. The dinghy dock fee was another $150. I checked with a number of marinas in the area, and they were all about the same price. It is a beautiful area, and the service at the marina is good. I am weighing the pros and cons of a slip vs a mooring for next year. The cost for a slip is considerable, but it does allow you to hook up to shore power and water, which are advantages. The disadvantages other than cost are less privacy, and not having the cooling breezes that come with being out on the water, pointing into the wind. I would be curious to hear what other folks have to say about the slip vs mooring question. Good luck on your search!
Tom
I got lucky getting a spot in Bullock's Cove, but all I had to do was purchase the gear ($1000 - 500lb mushroom, chain etc.) from the guy who gave up the spot, and pay a local service to sink it. I pay $100 a year to the town of E. Providence, and have to have it inspected every 2 years ($50). I put my dinghy at a local marina for $150 a year. So after the initial investment, and excluding maintenence, I pay very little to keep my 33' hunter in the water. Compare that to $35-40/ foot at local marinas. A lot of the cove is shallow, but I've got 9' at mean low water. I guess I got lucky, because I've probably got the deepest point in the whole darn cove - No, I'm not giving it up.
I got lucky getting a spot in Bullock's Cove, but all I had to do was purchase the gear ($1000 - 500lb mushroom, chain etc.) from the guy who gave up the spot, and pay a local service to sink it. I pay $100 a year to the town of E. Providence, and have to have it inspected every 2 years ($50). I put my dinghy at a local marina for $150 a year. So after the initial investment, and excluding maintenence, I pay very little to keep my 33' hunter in the water. Compare that to $35-40/ foot at local marinas. A lot of the cove is shallow, but I've got 9' at mean low water. I guess I got lucky, because I've probably got the deepest point in the whole darn cove - No, I'm not giving it up.
- Status