I have an opportunity to join a local sailing club. Only problem- no slips are available only moorings. Since I am very new to sailing I don't really know enough to determine if other than the inconvenience, if a mooring is a bad idea. Currently I have the boat in a slip -- and it nearly gives me heart failure to get the boat in and out. A mooring might be easier... I'd appreciate any input on this. Thanks! Mary Connaughton
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Interesting Question, Mary..
..and I'll be interested in responses. I have always thought that a mooring in SoCal might be an interesting option. They are limited here, but those that are available by lease or purchase are far more economical than a slip. And, we really enjoy the greater privacy, quietness and scenery from a mooring contrasted with a slip. And, those with bow-only ties only are even better since they provide some wind protection as the boat swings-- at least if the current is light. The downside is that where they are located in SoCal are in popular destinations and parking is limited, water taxis are rare, places to tie up dinks are limited, expensive and theft-prone. And the yacht clubs in the area are expensive and sometimes snobbish. Add to that the difficulty hauling the boat stuff back and forth and the negatives outweigh the positives for us. However, I think a mooring is a great way to break up the monotony of a slip if you had both! FYI: after 13 years waiting, I think we are up for a mooring on Santa Catalina Island. Can't wait, but would be better retired, which I soon will be if I don't get back to work on my business plan.... thanks for asking. Rick D.
..and I'll be interested in responses. I have always thought that a mooring in SoCal might be an interesting option. They are limited here, but those that are available by lease or purchase are far more economical than a slip. And, we really enjoy the greater privacy, quietness and scenery from a mooring contrasted with a slip. And, those with bow-only ties only are even better since they provide some wind protection as the boat swings-- at least if the current is light. The downside is that where they are located in SoCal are in popular destinations and parking is limited, water taxis are rare, places to tie up dinks are limited, expensive and theft-prone. And the yacht clubs in the area are expensive and sometimes snobbish. Add to that the difficulty hauling the boat stuff back and forth and the negatives outweigh the positives for us. However, I think a mooring is a great way to break up the monotony of a slip if you had both! FYI: after 13 years waiting, I think we are up for a mooring on Santa Catalina Island. Can't wait, but would be better retired, which I soon will be if I don't get back to work on my business plan.... thanks for asking. Rick D.
A few considerations....
Price is probably number 1! In my area, commercial marinas are charging $100 or more per foot OUCH! Moorings can probably be had for a couple of hundred per season. That's the only positive reason IMHO for taking a mooring instead of dock space if you have the choice. Now,here are some negatives... electrical power...if you are plugged in to shore power to keep your refrigeration going, that will have to stop, which means everytime you leave the boat the perishables in the refer have to come with you. Also means no cold beers when you first get to the boat! Fresh water..do they have a dock where you can tie up and wash the boat and refill your water tanks? How about launch service? Or do you have to take your dinghy out to the boat. How about Security? Are you in an area that is safe? Much easier to break into a boat on a mooring than tied to the dock. Just a few things you may want to consider before giving up your dockside slip.
Price is probably number 1! In my area, commercial marinas are charging $100 or more per foot OUCH! Moorings can probably be had for a couple of hundred per season. That's the only positive reason IMHO for taking a mooring instead of dock space if you have the choice. Now,here are some negatives... electrical power...if you are plugged in to shore power to keep your refrigeration going, that will have to stop, which means everytime you leave the boat the perishables in the refer have to come with you. Also means no cold beers when you first get to the boat! Fresh water..do they have a dock where you can tie up and wash the boat and refill your water tanks? How about launch service? Or do you have to take your dinghy out to the boat. How about Security? Are you in an area that is safe? Much easier to break into a boat on a mooring than tied to the dock. Just a few things you may want to consider before giving up your dockside slip.
The differences are be many. First a slip is usually more costly than a mooring, but you do have easy access and to one or more of the following, Electricity, Water, Cable TV etc,. With a mooring if you don't have a dingy then you have to use the Marina shuttle service, so you can only use the boat when the shuttle is available, and pray you don't get in late. If you have a dingy then that would not be an issue. Also depending on how protected the mooring is it may be difficult sleeping on board if the wind really kicks up. Also in some area's you could die of old age waiting for a slip, so a mooring is the only choice.
In addition...
I agree with all that was previously stated, but also... Do you have pets or kids? If so, a mooring can be difficult. Do you have a swim platform? So much easier for loading and unloading. Would you row or motor your dingy to the boat? Do you have to drive far to get to your boat. If your exhausted upon arrival, the thought of a dingy excursion will make a long season. All in all, the mooring is nice. To be neighbor free and to get rocked to bed every night is priceless! -Ike
I agree with all that was previously stated, but also... Do you have pets or kids? If so, a mooring can be difficult. Do you have a swim platform? So much easier for loading and unloading. Would you row or motor your dingy to the boat? Do you have to drive far to get to your boat. If your exhausted upon arrival, the thought of a dingy excursion will make a long season. All in all, the mooring is nice. To be neighbor free and to get rocked to bed every night is priceless! -Ike
13 Years Rick !?!?!
Yikes, I was thinking a nice mooring in Cat. Harbor would be great for summer getaways. But 13 years is a LONG time to wait... Guess we'll just have to keep renting...
Yikes, I was thinking a nice mooring in Cat. Harbor would be great for summer getaways. But 13 years is a LONG time to wait... Guess we'll just have to keep renting...
City vs. country life afloat
After reading all the pros and cons, it sounds like the differance between living in the city or living in the country. What's your personal preference? We enjoy visiting the city [slips] but there's no way we would really want to live with all that traffic and noise - that's why we sail, and that's why we prefer a mooring. As for using a dinghy - you should have one for cruising anyway... Enjoy all your new adventures! Jule & Carl s/v Syzygy
After reading all the pros and cons, it sounds like the differance between living in the city or living in the country. What's your personal preference? We enjoy visiting the city [slips] but there's no way we would really want to live with all that traffic and noise - that's why we sail, and that's why we prefer a mooring. As for using a dinghy - you should have one for cruising anyway... Enjoy all your new adventures! Jule & Carl s/v Syzygy
The Mooring Life For Me!
We had the option of giving up our mooring and moving to a dock. We opted to stay on the mooring. Why? We have one of the most awesome views of the City of Chicago, Navy Pier Fireworks, Shedd Aquarium, etc. that you could ever ask for. Sure it's a bit more inconvenient, but we would loose all that and probably end up next to some cigarette boat that enjoyed early morning fire ups. Plus our docks are very narrow and the whole privacy issue comes into play. Keep the Mooring!!! Your boat doesn't rock you to sleep in a slip. S/V Never Say Never
We had the option of giving up our mooring and moving to a dock. We opted to stay on the mooring. Why? We have one of the most awesome views of the City of Chicago, Navy Pier Fireworks, Shedd Aquarium, etc. that you could ever ask for. Sure it's a bit more inconvenient, but we would loose all that and probably end up next to some cigarette boat that enjoyed early morning fire ups. Plus our docks are very narrow and the whole privacy issue comes into play. Keep the Mooring!!! Your boat doesn't rock you to sleep in a slip. S/V Never Say Never
Mooring
My cousin has also been on the waiting list for 15 years. Personally, I can't justify the price. A guy here at work (TRW), paid $175,000 for one at two harbors! I'd rather spend that on the boat, if I had that kind of money, as opposed to a can! Just my opinion. Dan S/V Unruly Julie
My cousin has also been on the waiting list for 15 years. Personally, I can't justify the price. A guy here at work (TRW), paid $175,000 for one at two harbors! I'd rather spend that on the boat, if I had that kind of money, as opposed to a can! Just my opinion. Dan S/V Unruly Julie
Can't Buy the Leases Anymore, Dan..
..other than Avalon harbor inside. FYI; I know someone with one by the Casino. It's worth $500,000. And he still has to call 48 hours in advance to reserve it and has to pay all the annual maintenance and gets none of the transient rent money and can't rent it himself. Still, on an annual return basis, the thing has done pretty well as an investment over several decades, although it probably dropped about a third during the California recession. Lot of money for a parking space, huh?
..other than Avalon harbor inside. FYI; I know someone with one by the Casino. It's worth $500,000. And he still has to call 48 hours in advance to reserve it and has to pay all the annual maintenance and gets none of the transient rent money and can't rent it himself. Still, on an annual return basis, the thing has done pretty well as an investment over several decades, although it probably dropped about a third during the California recession. Lot of money for a parking space, huh?
Been Moored & Slipped
Mary, I've have a H23. I've had it on a mooring and in a slip. I'll assume that you have a boat between 17 and 25' Its easier to catch a mooring than bring a boat into a slip - especially by yourself. Its easy to cast of from a mooring. You have lots of privacy at night on a mooring. The downside is how difficult is it to get to the boat, bring the boat to the dock for cargo (food and drinks) and passengers. When you return, will it be easy to drop of passengers & freight, go tie to the mooring and get to the dock. In my marina, the wake from passing power boats makes getting to and from a boat on a mooring an adventure in a dink. Also the transient slip was outside the breakwater and also exposed to the wake of passing boats. I moored for two years and have been in a slip for two years. I'm willing to pay the difference for convenience. If price is important, try mooring for a season and see how you like it. Regards, Jerry
Mary, I've have a H23. I've had it on a mooring and in a slip. I'll assume that you have a boat between 17 and 25' Its easier to catch a mooring than bring a boat into a slip - especially by yourself. Its easy to cast of from a mooring. You have lots of privacy at night on a mooring. The downside is how difficult is it to get to the boat, bring the boat to the dock for cargo (food and drinks) and passengers. When you return, will it be easy to drop of passengers & freight, go tie to the mooring and get to the dock. In my marina, the wake from passing power boats makes getting to and from a boat on a mooring an adventure in a dink. Also the transient slip was outside the breakwater and also exposed to the wake of passing boats. I moored for two years and have been in a slip for two years. I'm willing to pay the difference for convenience. If price is important, try mooring for a season and see how you like it. Regards, Jerry
Docks are for Motor Heads
I've had my boat on a mooring for 5 years and won't have it any other way. Have stayed at slips while traveling and have to deal with fenders, dock lines, drunk neighbors, their pets, unskilled boaters trying to get into the slip beside you and so on. It's simple: get a mooring- you like privacy, live as far from other people as possible, go camping in a tent, can take a bath with quart of water and enjoy nature. Get a slip- you like living in barracks, enjoy sleeping next to strangers, go on vacation to stay in a condo apartment, need a bathroom and three showers a day and like asphalt or concrete. PS did I say I don't like dockage.
I've had my boat on a mooring for 5 years and won't have it any other way. Have stayed at slips while traveling and have to deal with fenders, dock lines, drunk neighbors, their pets, unskilled boaters trying to get into the slip beside you and so on. It's simple: get a mooring- you like privacy, live as far from other people as possible, go camping in a tent, can take a bath with quart of water and enjoy nature. Get a slip- you like living in barracks, enjoy sleeping next to strangers, go on vacation to stay in a condo apartment, need a bathroom and three showers a day and like asphalt or concrete. PS did I say I don't like dockage.
IMO this is both "personal" & "local" question...
...that is, the "right" answer (for you) depends on a) how much you value convenience vs. getting away from it all while still in the harbor b) availability of local options. Oh yeah, almost forgot, there's also c) your pocket book. My personal thoughts/preferences: a) I value dock power, water, auxilary storage, ease of access and "safe harbor" more than "quiet"... and besides, the folks on our dock are a lot of fun while they're awake (all sailors are right?) and they're all asleep by 9 PM sharp. b) Here in Dana Point, CA we only have slips so the question is theoretical. Along those same lines, many right coast locations only have moorings, or else the slip wait queue is a generation or two and so it's theoretical as well. c) I personally feel that my boat is a hole in the water and I just LOVE throwing money in it. So of course I want to spend more on a slip. <joking of course what you get the drift - if I wanted to save money I'd join an investment club> Anyway, that's my 1 1/2 cents worth. Rodger Attitude Adjustment DPYC
...that is, the "right" answer (for you) depends on a) how much you value convenience vs. getting away from it all while still in the harbor b) availability of local options. Oh yeah, almost forgot, there's also c) your pocket book. My personal thoughts/preferences: a) I value dock power, water, auxilary storage, ease of access and "safe harbor" more than "quiet"... and besides, the folks on our dock are a lot of fun while they're awake (all sailors are right?) and they're all asleep by 9 PM sharp. b) Here in Dana Point, CA we only have slips so the question is theoretical. Along those same lines, many right coast locations only have moorings, or else the slip wait queue is a generation or two and so it's theoretical as well. c) I personally feel that my boat is a hole in the water and I just LOVE throwing money in it. So of course I want to spend more on a slip. <joking of course what you get the drift - if I wanted to save money I'd join an investment club> Anyway, that's my 1 1/2 cents worth. Rodger Attitude Adjustment DPYC
Tjhank God
Mary, thank god there's another soul out there who experiences heart failure getting in and out of her slip. I was beginning to think it was just me. I started sailing last year, and haven't gotten comfortable yet. I love spending weekends on my Hunter 22 and the solitude of the slip at night is most satisfying to the soul. However, I would think it would more daring to dingy back and forth to my boat attempting to get my gear to and from; not to mention just the overwelming feeling you experience at times being on the open water. Finally, I just took some deep breaths, and focused and coming in and out of my slip now is not so bad. I've become much more comfortable, even though I still have the tense moments. Hang in there! My only experience on a mooring was in moored in Cruz Bay off island of St. John, USVI and let's just say I got in great shape that summer from rowing into shore everyday. A great experience though. Good luck.
Mary, thank god there's another soul out there who experiences heart failure getting in and out of her slip. I was beginning to think it was just me. I started sailing last year, and haven't gotten comfortable yet. I love spending weekends on my Hunter 22 and the solitude of the slip at night is most satisfying to the soul. However, I would think it would more daring to dingy back and forth to my boat attempting to get my gear to and from; not to mention just the overwelming feeling you experience at times being on the open water. Finally, I just took some deep breaths, and focused and coming in and out of my slip now is not so bad. I've become much more comfortable, even though I still have the tense moments. Hang in there! My only experience on a mooring was in moored in Cruz Bay off island of St. John, USVI and let's just say I got in great shape that summer from rowing into shore everyday. A great experience though. Good luck.
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