How do marinas work?

[n00bie]

I am a n00b to sailing and considering my first boat. I'm choosing between trailered and a slip. I know all the pros and cons, but I'm unsure about something. This might be a silly question, but how do marinas work when it comes to cradled boats? I see boats in slips - which I get. I see swing and shoal keels on trailers - dry sailing - which I get. But, I see the yard guys constantly putting and pulling boats to and from the water.Do people who don't have slips but have fixed keel boats keep them on cradles and have the yard launch them every time they go out? Are they dry sailing those boats? Or, are these just folks who haven't launched for the season yet?If they are dry sailing, is that cheaper than renting a slip? Or, do you pay for storage and for each launch and return to cradle?Thanks for the lesson...

 

[Rick D]

n00bie... Need More Info

While there are generalities, there is a surprising difference by custom and economics by geography. So, give us an idea what general area you are referring to and we'll be happy to give you some opinions and experience. RDPS: for example, in SoCal, most dry sailed keel boats are racers who keep the bottom clean and don't absorb wight into the hull by keeping them in the water.

 

[JoeGoodrow]

Pay to play, Pay to stay, Pay Pay Pay....

Get the picture..... Marinas are all business. most charge by the foot for the season. where i live it's 85.00 dollars a foot for a season for a slip. 55 a foot for a mooring. so a 25 foot boat will cost $2125.00 dollars for the season. A season is april to november. thats like 265 a month. it'll cost 200.00 plus to put it in the water if you are a fixed keel on the dry. If you have a swing keel on a trailer, you can launch her at any public access ramp. (after buying a fixed keel boat i realized the swing on a trailer is better for saving some cash. you can keep your boat almost anywherelike at home and launch whenever you want. Actually right now I'm dry sailing at a boatyard restoring my boat, and that costs a 109.00 a month just to sit there. so as you can see you just pay and pay, and pay. and that's how a marina works.

 

[Jadedcrew]

Marinas Work

Where I keep my boat is just a marina, $x per foot per month, 12 months a year. No haul out, no launch, no boats on stands.

 

[newly anonymous]

easy way to answer the question...

...of whether they're dry sailing or just hauling out for maintenance is whether they have bottom paint. Bottom paint slows a boat down significantly enough that higher-end one designs tend to do without it.

 

[saltygator]

It's all realitive

Today it is about $400.00 a month w/'elec for a 30 footer in s/e fla. It is what it is, **** em'

 

[sand sailor]

mine lives on the trailer at the marina

it costs me $94. a month i launch it myself and i dont have to rerig it unless i take to the road with it

 

[Lake Ontario NooB]

I'm not afeared a paying a bit...but not $2k for a slip.

I want a trailer sailer because I am a short drive to Lake Erie (Buffalo) and Lake Ontario (Youngstown) and only a few hours from all the Finger Lakes. Though, I do like the idea of keeping my boat on a trailer in the boat yard, all rigged up. Then it's just dunk it and sail it. Plus, I can still travel with it.However, if I can dry sail a bigger, more lake-worthy boat, cost effectively, I might consider staying in one lake.How does dry sailing work a large boat work? Do I just call ahead and have them put it in? Do I need to have a trailer for it? Or, do they pick it off a cradle? Is it really much less than renting a slip?

 

[n00b]

I replied but it's up under my opening post...

I replied but it's up under my opening post...

 

[n00b b00b]

wow...i'm apparently a n00b to message boards too...

...when did they start reading bottom to top? that rhetorical...carry on...

 

[n00b]

after rereading joe's post...

CT is a bit pricier than Buffalo with more demand I would think, but still, your example makes me think driveway sailing is my better option here.If I were to do that, would I find myself replacing shrouds, stays and other mast hardware from so much up-and-down?

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

Welcome Noobie. There are many , many great people here.

that will help you with almost any question you can think of. But the more they know about you, the better they can assist. You should fill out the owner profile for starters. If they know where you are, they might be able to tell you a good marina or which one to avoid. One thing I really like about sailing, is that you can learn 75% in a few months but the remaining 25% you can enjoy learning for the rest of your life.Good luck. Lance

 

[dancing bear]

driveway sailing

We bought a trailer sailor thinking it would be easy and economical. Towing the trailer (1.5 hours round trip), and setting up and taking it all down (1.5 hours work total) was a lot to sail 2-4 hours. When we got home, we were exhausted too.After about 4 consecutive weeks of this routine we got a slip. The sailing life is so much more leisurly, it is easier to keep volunteer crew coming back and the boat is a better place to hang out at the slip. I am not aware of a place mast up storage in my area, but this seems to be an economical choice with a practical amount of hassle.

 

[Rich (P303)]

To answer your question...

Those boats being put in the water... and are in the water for the season. Those being pulled are getting worked on... or going home for the season. It is very costly to use the travel lift.However if you were a power boater (espically in Florida)... they do store boats in a condominum type structue. Call the yard when you want to go boating... they pull the boat out of the rack and into the water. When you are done... back up it goes. If it is small... trailer it. Go for the mooring if you plan to sail in one area with a medium size boat. A large boat would probably prefer a slip (AC, T.V, fridge).

 

[Warren Milberg]

In addition to boats just

now being launched for the season, and those who keep their boats on trailers, some one-design racers (i.e., J22's and J24's) sometimes keep their boats at large marines what have multi-tier racks for their boats. They have their boats launched, and recovered back to the rack, for each race. This is a pricey operation, but it allows owners to avoid having to bottom paint. They can then polish the bottom of their boats just before a race and the hull does not absorb much moisture like most boat do that are sitting in a slip all the time. A very clean and smooth bottom can make a big difference to a racer...

 

[novelman17130]

I keep my 22' Venture with swing keel on my trailer at Marina del Rey, CA in their mast-up storage yard. It costs me $76.50 a month and the launch ramp is right there. It's the best of both worlds.Duane "Novelman"

 

[Dennis W.]

Reformed Trailer Sailor

n00bie, I trailer sailed for 20 years, no slip fees, go up and down the coast at will. Then I wanted to upgrade, standing head room, a real shower, no porta-potti, and no take down, ( the set-up was never a hassle). I bought a bigger boat, paid the price, and then paid again every month. Now I have a place at the beach in So. Cal. (priceless) well almost. They did set a price on it and it costs less per month than a 4 nights in a nice hotel at the beach and I get the boat for free. Choose your own comfort level and enjoy it.

 

[higgs]

n00bie - from your area

Take a visit to Wilson and Olcott, look around, and ask some questions. I am out of Olcott and would be happy to host you for a visit to our club and take you out for a sail. I cannot tell you about Lake Erie, but western Lake Ontario is a terrific cruising ground. From Olcott, we have over 15 cruising destination within 50 miles - most are within 30 miles. With predominantly southern winds in the summer we sail a lee shore a lot, making for a lot of smooth water.

 

[n00b +]

Thanks to all!

Thanks to all who helped me here! Great group - great advice. This has given me much more insight into what I'm trying to do and made me feel better about sticking to a n00b's budget. And Higgs...nice axes.