Having a boat means having to keep it someplace. If you are fortunate enough to have a trailerable boat, it means having to find a suitable ramp or launch area. If you have a keel boat, it means finding a marina or mooring. Some sailors select the place to keep their boats based how far away the marina is from home. Driving time to your boat is always going to be important. Other criteria for marina selection may be annual costs, amenities and services at the marina, and where your sailing friends keep their boats. Of course, the body of water you want to sail on impacts marina selection, too. What's are the primary reasons you chose your current marina? Are you happy with that choice? How long have you been at your current marina? Do you plan to move to another one soon? If so, why? Tell us why you chose the place you keep your boat then take the quick quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
- Status
My Marina happens to be there ...
that is, whenever we moved to Saint Cloud back in '93, it wasn't because of the lake or the marina being just a few blocks away. I wasn't a boat owner then. It wasn't until the kids got up on their own and in '04 the sailing bug bit. I happen to stroll past the marina then, and was admiring the boats when I saw this MAC25 for sale. I bought it and now I am a sailor! Learning to sail that is. I elected to keep it in the marina because it was cheaper than a tobacco habit (of which I had recently quit smoking) and kept me motivated even today. Yes, having the boat ready to sail at my whim really makes a difference. I have been smoke-free for over 3 years now and have learned a lot about sailing. The lake is nearly 5 miles in all directions, so it works for me and my little world. Tom
that is, whenever we moved to Saint Cloud back in '93, it wasn't because of the lake or the marina being just a few blocks away. I wasn't a boat owner then. It wasn't until the kids got up on their own and in '04 the sailing bug bit. I happen to stroll past the marina then, and was admiring the boats when I saw this MAC25 for sale. I bought it and now I am a sailor! Learning to sail that is. I elected to keep it in the marina because it was cheaper than a tobacco habit (of which I had recently quit smoking) and kept me motivated even today. Yes, having the boat ready to sail at my whim really makes a difference. I have been smoke-free for over 3 years now and have learned a lot about sailing. The lake is nearly 5 miles in all directions, so it works for me and my little world. Tom
Sailing Paradise
Actually a friend of mine found the marina about 10 years ago. They are no longer in sailing but I have stayed in Cheboygan since it is such a great location. When I was slipped in Saginaw Bay you always had to figure 24 hours to get to the prime sailing grounds in northern Lake Huron. Now I am only 6 hours or less while only driving a couple of extra hours. I will move someday but for now I have no desire to be anywhere else. Northern Michigan is a paradise and we are right in the middle of of it.
Actually a friend of mine found the marina about 10 years ago. They are no longer in sailing but I have stayed in Cheboygan since it is such a great location. When I was slipped in Saginaw Bay you always had to figure 24 hours to get to the prime sailing grounds in northern Lake Huron. Now I am only 6 hours or less while only driving a couple of extra hours. I will move someday but for now I have no desire to be anywhere else. Northern Michigan is a paradise and we are right in the middle of of it.
Reasons
Hi, Our reasonings: We selected our used boat (Catalina 22) because of weight, trailerability, cost and availability of parts. The styling and features were also weighed in. We are fortunate to be living near a pretty good lake for our boat size and we have watched these boats out there having a great time so we bought. The Dockage we selected was based upon price and features. This lake is on the Pa. / Ohio border. This situation gave us a choice of having the boat moored or docked in either state. BUT it also required either state's registration requirements. Because we live in Ohio and because the Ohio requirements are a bit cheaper than Pa, we keep the boat on the Ohio side. The dockage is reasonably priced and reasonably out of the weather. There are facilities nearby that we like too.
Hi, Our reasonings: We selected our used boat (Catalina 22) because of weight, trailerability, cost and availability of parts. The styling and features were also weighed in. We are fortunate to be living near a pretty good lake for our boat size and we have watched these boats out there having a great time so we bought. The Dockage we selected was based upon price and features. This lake is on the Pa. / Ohio border. This situation gave us a choice of having the boat moored or docked in either state. BUT it also required either state's registration requirements. Because we live in Ohio and because the Ohio requirements are a bit cheaper than Pa, we keep the boat on the Ohio side. The dockage is reasonably priced and reasonably out of the weather. There are facilities nearby that we like too.
One of the few slips available!
We bought our used Catalina 25 two years ago. Many of the local marinas have been sold to developers who want waterfront properties to build their luxury condos. Many of the remaining marinas have one to two year waiting lists. The first available slip we looked at was in south St. Petersburg, but it was too far from any good, open sailing water. We finally found one about 15 miles north of our home. It's a small marina, with few amenities, but it's a nice laid-back-style place. A wide-open stretch of the Gulf ICW is less than a mile away through a well-marked channel, and the Gulf of Mexico is a few minutes further. Finding available slips on the southwest coast of Florida is getting harder and harder. Many coastal counties are now looking at buying marinas and waterfront properties just so they can keep the areas public. Jack
We bought our used Catalina 25 two years ago. Many of the local marinas have been sold to developers who want waterfront properties to build their luxury condos. Many of the remaining marinas have one to two year waiting lists. The first available slip we looked at was in south St. Petersburg, but it was too far from any good, open sailing water. We finally found one about 15 miles north of our home. It's a small marina, with few amenities, but it's a nice laid-back-style place. A wide-open stretch of the Gulf ICW is less than a mile away through a well-marked channel, and the Gulf of Mexico is a few minutes further. Finding available slips on the southwest coast of Florida is getting harder and harder. Many coastal counties are now looking at buying marinas and waterfront properties just so they can keep the areas public. Jack
No Brainer
I am very fortunate to have a small "working" (required work days plus hauling and launching) yacht clu only 20 minutes from my home. Very well protected and pretty, small harbor offering direct access to Lake Ontario. Although limited to boats for "those of modest means", i.e. draft of less than 4-5 feet, the docks all have water and power, there is plenty of parking space, picnic area, and a very nice little club house. All at a price comparable to any local public marina. So for me it was a "no brainer". Gene / Escapade II
I am very fortunate to have a small "working" (required work days plus hauling and launching) yacht clu only 20 minutes from my home. Very well protected and pretty, small harbor offering direct access to Lake Ontario. Although limited to boats for "those of modest means", i.e. draft of less than 4-5 feet, the docks all have water and power, there is plenty of parking space, picnic area, and a very nice little club house. All at a price comparable to any local public marina. So for me it was a "no brainer". Gene / Escapade II
Home Port
I sympathize with first response, Jack from St. Petersburg, Fl. Right after I signed the contract for my 40 foot Caliber LRC I started looking for a place to keep it on the Gulf Coast of Florida thinking there would be plenty of places to keep it. Wrong, and not reasonable if you can find it! If you are buying a boat or moving to Florida do your home work first. Jack is right, all the marinas are being converted to condos in every hole in Florida. The next option is renting a private dock which can work if you are lucky enough to find one. Then the next option is to buy water front property which can cost several times the cost of the boat, but might be considered an investment. Maybe in a few years the property will appreciate while your boat might not or keep even. Seems those vacant lots also were going like hot cakes at the same time the marinas were being gobbled up. I finally found a little piece of old Florida with a deep water canal. The marinas are sold but the populace is fighting the conversions. There are homes and lots still for sale but they are not as reasonable as they were a few years ago, but more so than the rest of Florida. Also insurance rates are less. Area is like a preserve. I have room for more if you are interested. Alan.
I sympathize with first response, Jack from St. Petersburg, Fl. Right after I signed the contract for my 40 foot Caliber LRC I started looking for a place to keep it on the Gulf Coast of Florida thinking there would be plenty of places to keep it. Wrong, and not reasonable if you can find it! If you are buying a boat or moving to Florida do your home work first. Jack is right, all the marinas are being converted to condos in every hole in Florida. The next option is renting a private dock which can work if you are lucky enough to find one. Then the next option is to buy water front property which can cost several times the cost of the boat, but might be considered an investment. Maybe in a few years the property will appreciate while your boat might not or keep even. Seems those vacant lots also were going like hot cakes at the same time the marinas were being gobbled up. I finally found a little piece of old Florida with a deep water canal. The marinas are sold but the populace is fighting the conversions. There are homes and lots still for sale but they are not as reasonable as they were a few years ago, but more so than the rest of Florida. Also insurance rates are less. Area is like a preserve. I have room for more if you are interested. Alan.
Boat Location
My 28 foot boat is trailerable, however I feel the boat is at it's greatest risk for damage during the 200 mile trip from my home in Aloha Oregon to my cruising area at Port Townsend Washington. Therefore I keep it on the trailer in a boat yard there. I put it in the water at the start of a trip, and haul it back out at the end of a trip. Moorage is scarce, expensive, and I don't like keeping a boat in the water, especially salt water. I think it is too hard on the boat.
My 28 foot boat is trailerable, however I feel the boat is at it's greatest risk for damage during the 200 mile trip from my home in Aloha Oregon to my cruising area at Port Townsend Washington. Therefore I keep it on the trailer in a boat yard there. I put it in the water at the start of a trip, and haul it back out at the end of a trip. Moorage is scarce, expensive, and I don't like keeping a boat in the water, especially salt water. I think it is too hard on the boat.
Choice of Marina
We chose Seabrook Shipyard for our 30 foot sailboat based on a combination of cost and convenience. Our slip is about one mile from my home and about the same distance from our sailing waters of Galveston Bay. We are completing our 31st year with the same boat in the same slip and have no plans to move. Rental fees have increased many times during our stay; we are currently paying $165.00 per month. Our boat has been owned bw a 3 family partnership since the beginning. This makes expenses less burdensome and has worked very well for us.
We chose Seabrook Shipyard for our 30 foot sailboat based on a combination of cost and convenience. Our slip is about one mile from my home and about the same distance from our sailing waters of Galveston Bay. We are completing our 31st year with the same boat in the same slip and have no plans to move. Rental fees have increased many times during our stay; we are currently paying $165.00 per month. Our boat has been owned bw a 3 family partnership since the beginning. This makes expenses less burdensome and has worked very well for us.
It was the only marina...
available when I purchased my boat. The boat I purchased was located in a marina close to home, but was a sub-leased slip. The slip owner needed it back, so I had to find another home. Chula Vista was the only marina that had slip space for me. It is 52 miles to the south and about 1 hour travel. By March of '08, I should have my slip in the original marina which is 15 minutes away.
available when I purchased my boat. The boat I purchased was located in a marina close to home, but was a sub-leased slip. The slip owner needed it back, so I had to find another home. Chula Vista was the only marina that had slip space for me. It is 52 miles to the south and about 1 hour travel. By March of '08, I should have my slip in the original marina which is 15 minutes away.
A good choice
I bought my boat 5 years ago. From my study window I can look out over Lunenburg Front Harbour and see sailboats, fishing boats, the Bluenose 11 (a fine schooner) and the Picton Castle (another Tall Ship) when she is home. But tender space is very scarce, in fact the only place available has a sign saying No Overnight Tenders!. Not user friendly. The Back Harbour is just 2 minutes away by car so I had a mooring put down there and that is where I launch in the spring and haul out in the fall, free! But, the first time I sailed out to open water I found it took 40-45 minutes by the time I had threaded my way through a couple of Narrows and across shallow lakes, all the time keeping an eye on the depth finder. My Catalina 22 has a swing keel so the depth is not really crucial but at low tide my friend and I ran aground in his full keel boat. Took some hard rowing and jumping up and down on the boat before we were free. After that I joined Lunenburg Yacht Club. I have a mooring in 19 ft of water, depending on the tide, the club has a good kitchen, cold beer and friendly members. When I leave my mooring I can be sailing in beautiful Mahone Bay in a few minutes. The Bay is reputed to have 365 islands but I haven't counted them! Come to Nova Scotia!
I bought my boat 5 years ago. From my study window I can look out over Lunenburg Front Harbour and see sailboats, fishing boats, the Bluenose 11 (a fine schooner) and the Picton Castle (another Tall Ship) when she is home. But tender space is very scarce, in fact the only place available has a sign saying No Overnight Tenders!. Not user friendly. The Back Harbour is just 2 minutes away by car so I had a mooring put down there and that is where I launch in the spring and haul out in the fall, free! But, the first time I sailed out to open water I found it took 40-45 minutes by the time I had threaded my way through a couple of Narrows and across shallow lakes, all the time keeping an eye on the depth finder. My Catalina 22 has a swing keel so the depth is not really crucial but at low tide my friend and I ran aground in his full keel boat. Took some hard rowing and jumping up and down on the boat before we were free. After that I joined Lunenburg Yacht Club. I have a mooring in 19 ft of water, depending on the tide, the club has a good kitchen, cold beer and friendly members. When I leave my mooring I can be sailing in beautiful Mahone Bay in a few minutes. The Bay is reputed to have 365 islands but I haven't counted them! Come to Nova Scotia!
Marinas
Lake Tahoe is a great place to sail, I was lucky enough to lease a dock in front of a house in south Lake Tahoe, I live in Minden, which is about 1 hour away, and a few thousand feet lower elevation. Dock space, and even mooring balls are hard to get, and pricey. both run from $1800. to over $2500. for the season for a 25' boat. and launching is expensive, from $13. TO $35.00. and very busy during the summer. So I'am happy I found a dock this season.
Lake Tahoe is a great place to sail, I was lucky enough to lease a dock in front of a house in south Lake Tahoe, I live in Minden, which is about 1 hour away, and a few thousand feet lower elevation. Dock space, and even mooring balls are hard to get, and pricey. both run from $1800. to over $2500. for the season for a 25' boat. and launching is expensive, from $13. TO $35.00. and very busy during the summer. So I'am happy I found a dock this season.
boat slip
I bought the boat in the slip. The marina was much cleaner than others I was familiar with and professionally run so didn't see the need to look elsewhere. I had the boat on the hard for a few years and when the time came to get wet I went right back, even to the same slip. 5 minutes out of the slip and I'm sailing in the bay. There are good marinas on the other side of the island, but there is a commute to get to open water. Many services within 5 minutes drive. http://www.ballenaisle.com/
I bought the boat in the slip. The marina was much cleaner than others I was familiar with and professionally run so didn't see the need to look elsewhere. I had the boat on the hard for a few years and when the time came to get wet I went right back, even to the same slip. 5 minutes out of the slip and I'm sailing in the bay. There are good marinas on the other side of the island, but there is a commute to get to open water. Many services within 5 minutes drive. http://www.ballenaisle.com/
What Marinas?
Our county in Florida has lost so many marinas to Condos that it is not only very hard to find space in a marina we can afford - we also are full time cruisers and don't normally stay in one area for more than a few months. Many marinas don't want to sign up someone who won't contract for six months to a years dockage unless we accept paying "transient" fees. As a result we now anchor out in Cocoa Village's USCG approved "designated anchorage" while we are here. Florida is not particularly friendly to cruisers we have found out....... and its getting worse year by year.... and we have lived in Florida since 1980.
Our county in Florida has lost so many marinas to Condos that it is not only very hard to find space in a marina we can afford - we also are full time cruisers and don't normally stay in one area for more than a few months. Many marinas don't want to sign up someone who won't contract for six months to a years dockage unless we accept paying "transient" fees. As a result we now anchor out in Cocoa Village's USCG approved "designated anchorage" while we are here. Florida is not particularly friendly to cruisers we have found out....... and its getting worse year by year.... and we have lived in Florida since 1980.
Dollars and Cents
Six years ago I started looking for a boat and a place to keep it at the same time. I actually rented the slip in April and didn't settle on a boat until June. The marina is a mom & pop type place owned by a retired couple in their 70's. They live on the property and have roughly 50 slips for rent. The woman was born there when her father owned it and ran an oyster business. She never left, saw the opportunity, and put the slips in ten years ago. It's mostly sailboats with each slip individualy metered for electricity, water included. We have clean bathrooms with showers but no other amenities. Less than one mile to the mouth of the West River and the Chesapeake Bay. Best of all it's only $2160 per year. I'm in the heart of the best sailing in the middle Chesapeake and can't find a deal even close to mine. Joe Mullee
Six years ago I started looking for a boat and a place to keep it at the same time. I actually rented the slip in April and didn't settle on a boat until June. The marina is a mom & pop type place owned by a retired couple in their 70's. They live on the property and have roughly 50 slips for rent. The woman was born there when her father owned it and ran an oyster business. She never left, saw the opportunity, and put the slips in ten years ago. It's mostly sailboats with each slip individualy metered for electricity, water included. We have clean bathrooms with showers but no other amenities. Less than one mile to the mouth of the West River and the Chesapeake Bay. Best of all it's only $2160 per year. I'm in the heart of the best sailing in the middle Chesapeake and can't find a deal even close to mine. Joe Mullee
Property with water frontage
I purchased a retirement home in Lagoon City on Lake Simco, Ontario. Here we have lagoons connecting to Lake Simco and can moore a boat at the back door. There are a couple of briges between my place and the Lake so I keep the boat, a O'Day 272 at the local yacht club, about a 1/2 mile away. It is a small club with about 30 boats and limited to 5' draft and 32' length. But, inexpensive, $700.00 to moore the boat and $250.00 (that's Canadian Dollars) for club membership. A very active membership that both races and cruises. We have one empty slip if anyone is interested. From here we can go anywhere as the Trent Canal system passes through the lake. Charlie
I purchased a retirement home in Lagoon City on Lake Simco, Ontario. Here we have lagoons connecting to Lake Simco and can moore a boat at the back door. There are a couple of briges between my place and the Lake so I keep the boat, a O'Day 272 at the local yacht club, about a 1/2 mile away. It is a small club with about 30 boats and limited to 5' draft and 32' length. But, inexpensive, $700.00 to moore the boat and $250.00 (that's Canadian Dollars) for club membership. A very active membership that both races and cruises. We have one empty slip if anyone is interested. From here we can go anywhere as the Trent Canal system passes through the lake. Charlie
Ripped off
We are in a marina that has docks that you can fall thru, elericl power that is suspect, and styrofoam blocks that are leaching bits of foam in the water. We have no security to speak of, and we continually get waked by clueless powerboaters. Our rent goes up every year and we get nothing for it. For a 40 foot slip we are paying $2568.00 a year. The marina manager says" Don't like it, go somewhere else!" WE cannot go anywhere else, but the tempers are at a boiling point! The marina says they are the best marina in the country.....
We are in a marina that has docks that you can fall thru, elericl power that is suspect, and styrofoam blocks that are leaching bits of foam in the water. We have no security to speak of, and we continually get waked by clueless powerboaters. Our rent goes up every year and we get nothing for it. For a 40 foot slip we are paying $2568.00 a year. The marina manager says" Don't like it, go somewhere else!" WE cannot go anywhere else, but the tempers are at a boiling point! The marina says they are the best marina in the country.....
marine decision
It was easy for us. We live in the town where we kept our boats. Leave the house, drive 10 minutes to the boat and be backing out of the slip in another 10. Actually turned down a job in Florida many years ago because from where we were going to live the boat would have been an hour or more away. Not a sacrifice my family was willing to make.
It was easy for us. We live in the town where we kept our boats. Leave the house, drive 10 minutes to the boat and be backing out of the slip in another 10. Actually turned down a job in Florida many years ago because from where we were going to live the boat would have been an hour or more away. Not a sacrifice my family was willing to make.
My moorings in my backyard
When we looked at buying our present house eight years ago I noticed the backyard was on the cove. Bought the house {stole it}then found out I had moooring rights.We did start out with a slip, my wifes idear but paying over 3000$ was crasy. Talked her into trying a mooring and we both love it.Sometimes I'll go out there late at night have a beer,it's so peaceful, no nieghbors to talk to, and it's fun to get back and forth with with the inflatable.I can be sailing on Narrragansette bay in ten minites.
When we looked at buying our present house eight years ago I noticed the backyard was on the cove. Bought the house {stole it}then found out I had moooring rights.We did start out with a slip, my wifes idear but paying over 3000$ was crasy. Talked her into trying a mooring and we both love it.Sometimes I'll go out there late at night have a beer,it's so peaceful, no nieghbors to talk to, and it's fun to get back and forth with with the inflatable.I can be sailing on Narrragansette bay in ten minites.
- Status