New marina opens

[Rick Sylvester]

Yeah, TB area BOATERS are in a crisis but

not only are the non-boating public generally unaware, they also don't care. Why should they? Marinas don't contribute near the tax revenues that high dollar condos do. Also, I'd be shocked to find that permitting was the real reason developers aren't building marinas. I'd suspect the REAL reason is lack of PROFIT. No marina is going to generate that quick turnaround of cash that a quickly built and sold highrise waterfront condo will. Those investers want their money NOW. If there was real profit in marinas (or boatyards) you'd better believe any permitting problems would be quickly solved. It's ALL about money.Further, developers are simply satisfying a demand. Florida in general, and the bay area in particular, has been discovered and those with big bucks want in. Big money talks in this country. While I am saddened by these developments and agree that we should become involved in speaking up for boating interests I think the changes in boating realities are inevitable.

 

[Bob]

Lake Lanier is Getting High

Lake Lanier, an Army Corps of Engineer impoundment north of Atlanta was constructed (damned) to be the potable supply source for the Greater Atlanta area. Lanier is documented as the most visited (used) fresh water lake in the country. As folks migrate down to the sunbelt many take their vessels with them, so seeing hailing ports on transoms from Boston, Chicago, Baltimore, New York, etc., is not uncommon. And through the years these vessels that accompany their owners are getting larger. To see 40+ sail boats is no longer an eye opener. The Army Corps sets the prices, controls the number of slips, etc, to "control" the increasing boating population. As supply is limited and demand increases so do the prices. Although their are a few marinas that have waiting lists for choice dock locations, Lake Lanier is no great bargain. I pay $220 a month for a 30 foot slip (Catalina 30) and prices seem to creep up annually and will continue to do so. You are not allowed to liveaboard here. My wife and I intend to get to the coast in the next year or two, but these continuing stories of dock shortages, outrageous prices, long waiting lists and limited mooring areas are a bit difficult to handle. I believe Oldcat was right when saying the future may well be trailor-sailing or timeshare sailing. Its not a bright future for us hard working middle class folks who want nothing more then to sail. It truely is a changing world....Bob

 

[JohnJ]

Lake Lanier rates

The top spots in Sunrise marina are up to $4000 per year. Aqualand is building a new breakwater dock for the big house boats and slips are over $7000. The corp may set rates for the operators, but it is the marinas that then set any rate they think they can get.

 

[DC1417]

A deal

I'll stop complaining. I pay $40/ft. per season and have a 22' O'Day and A 22' SeaRay in adjacent slips at a full service marina. The marina owner claims he doesn't make any money renting slips and rents only to people who buy boats from him. He makes his money selling boats. But I'm sure he does alright with repairs and storage and all the other ways he gets into our wallets.

 

[sailortonyb]

Its all about money

If a marina owner didnt make money, he would have sold out. Even a piss puddle waterfront property is worth a lot of money. If I was sitting on a piece of property worth $20,000,000, would I settle for collectng $100,000/Month in slip fees? I think not!!!All we can do is get realistic and accept it.If any change is to come about, it will be because large bucks got involved, enter the Manufacturers and dealers. Until then, dont expect much change.A note, on the other hand, is comparing what you get for your money. I had a great slip in Biloxi, Ms next door to a casino. The casino's allowed the marina tenants to use all of the Casino Hotel's facilities. Price for a 30 ft. slip =160/Month. in a nice looking marina. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, i was in Slidell , La. great marina, nice floating docks, 3 swimming pools available to us in the surrounding Apt Complex which was owned by the same corp. as the marina. Price for a 34 Ft slip = $161/mo.Moving to Kemah Tx, really impressive marina, includes swimming pool hot tub, sauna, excercise facilities, floating docks, etc price for a 45 ft slip including live aboard fees =$435/Mo.Currently in Fl. at a marina that would not even be a choice if I had not purchased my boat there. Price for a 42 ft slip , just jumping $600/ Mo.Why so much more money and so much less marina? Land is worth more in Fl. Much more. And that cant be changed by legislation.Just bite the bullet. Tony B