The joys of boat ownership

Leeward Rail · Nov 24, 2022

Unfortunate reality with a limited number of marinas and a large number of boats.

thinwater · Nov 24, 2022

Brian D said:
If one has a boat on a trailer, then I can easily say IMHO that the joys of sailing and moving around are abundant.

However, when one parks their boat in a marina, one would think all is well. That is... until the marina says they are closing due to renovation of their docks. At least this renovation isn't happening until Aug of 2023. So the marina did well in giving advanced notice. But advanced notice in Southern California is really meaningless. Why, because of the All Year Long Boating Season and the fact that SoCal is very affluent, it seems like everyone has a boat, means there is very limited dock space. Moving a boat from one marina to another isn't on the high list of things to do.

Now, in the notice we got it said the marina next door (same harbor entrance) could have temporary dock space available for us. I went yesterday to the marina office and was told, no, there is no temporary dock space. However, they have transient slips available for 30 days only. Then one would have to vacate and cannot use a transient slip until after 30 days from when one vacated. So then where does one go for 30? A shrug of the shoulders was the reply.

Next, I visited the boat yard to see if I could put the boat on the hard for about 6 months while waiting for the completion of the renovation. They at first said they had no space, but then (I guess it was the owner) knew of my plight and said they could arrange space. Wonderful. However, it would cost $1230/mo. I thanked them and departed, but as I was leaving I heard them talking that they should get ready for more people to come and ask.

Next, in the notification was mentioned the two military marinas in San Diego Bay; Point Loma Navy Base and Fiddler's Cove MWR. I contacted Point Loma and they said that right now they have two slots open for large boats, but if I want one I need to move in now. Cost would be around $550/mo. The other location, Fiddler's Cove, told me I have to be put on a wait list which is full at this time. Meaning, no room at the inn.

If I had a trailer I would pull the boat and bring it home. But I don't have a trailer. I was at one time looking for a trailer that I though would fit my Lancer 27, like a Catalina 27 trailer. But never went any further that just looking. Regardless, I don't have a tow vehicle so that is moot.

Sorry for the long rant, just wanted to get this off my chest. In the meantime, still looking for a temporary home. I am finding that there may be camaraderie among boaters, but marinas don't really give a damn.

I might dig deeper into the trailer option. Even if you do not have a tow vehicle, I believe you could arrange a short tow affordably.

Alan Gomes · Nov 24, 2022

Consider bringing it up to San Pedro. I'm at Holiday Harbor and I'm seeing quite a few vacant slips in your size range. It's a really nice marina and affordable--by southern California standards, at least.

I realize that might be a bit of a drive for you, but it's only temporary. But do note that San Pedro is the closest point of departure for Catalina. So you could use the time to get in a bunch of Catalina cruising.

PaulK · Nov 24, 2022

If you're contemplating having to haul out, wouldn't a trailer be cheaper and not that much more trouble? If you have parking space at home it would allow you to work on boat projects and re-launch from other harbors if you really wanted to get out sailing. You could minimize costs by selling the trailer afterwards, too.

rgranger · Nov 24, 2022

Two months of on-the-hard rent would cover a trailer. That seems like the best option. You can rent a truck from u-haul or even lowes to tow

Tally Ho · Nov 24, 2022

Brian D said:
Yeah, San Pedro is just a wee bit too far north. LOL

I checked Dana Point Guest Slips. I see I can stay as long as 90 days, but at $52.5 a day it adds up ($1575/mo). Now that I see this, I think I may have jumped the gun a little. Should have done more research. The boat yard looks to be a better deal than a guest slip. Might have to rethink this. Plus it is literally right around the (harbor) corner. Maybe I am making this much harder than it needs to be. LOL

Your next concern after your marina rehab is complete is, what are they going to raise the prices to?

My marina on Lake Michigan decided to take out about 50% of the docks to make room for jet-ski and paddle board rental :facepalm:

Our season usually starts April 1 (at least for die-hards like me)…and we were delayed until July IIRC. Many people could not get a slip and had to find dockage at other marinas. But for who got slips, it was OK. New docks are nicely constructed, but I list a prime location on the launch basin.

But there were few nasty surprises…primary of them, raising the liability insurance requirement to $1M (from $300K).

I complained loudly (and I am sure others did also)... and they reconsidered.

I was really concerned that the prices would be jacked up too… but to their credit (a municipal marina), they held prices for several years after the rehab.

There are several competing marinas around the south end of Lake Michigan…and my marina is not full, so that keeps them honest I guess. They store way more boats over the winter than they have slips for, because no City of Chicago marinas have storage. There are nicer marinas in the area, but mine is the closest to my home, and honestly, I go there to sail, not to socialize with the floating condo folks...so as long as they have security, a pumpout and a travel lift, I am happy. And owners are allowed to work on our boats

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Good luck. I may be looking for a trailer or seeing if aI could have it moved and stored somewhere during the remodel. That won’t be cheap either though I bet.

Greg

Rich Stidger · Nov 24, 2022

Sadly the worst part of boating is dealing with marinas. Dealing with a marina and their ever increasing costs will be the reason I sell.

thinwater · Nov 25, 2022

Rich Stidger said:
Sadly the worst part of boating is dealing with marinas. Dealing with a marina and their ever increasing costs will be the reason I sell.

It's not so much marinas as suppuly and demand. Here on the Chesapeake, where there is abundent shoreline and still an excess of slips, marinas are much less expensive and pleasant to deal with (except for a few fashionable exceptions). Over the time I've been boating, including the time value of money, I figure I've saved nearly $3-400,000 by staying in lower cost marinas vs. yacht clubs. Compared to the costs quoted about, more than 10x less.

As for security, we have none... and no one in that marina has locked a boat if 40 years. No need.

I assume there are no moorings.

dLj · Nov 25, 2022

A number of years ago my brother bought a Lancer without a trailer. He bought a trailer with an axle heavy duty enough carry the weight - I think you can use a 5000 pound capacity trailer for that boat - that's not too big. We then just built the support structures for the boat. Done. He first used the trailer as his cradle, then he towed the boat from where he bought it on the Chesapeake to Lake Erie. I don't remember what it cost, but it was not expensive... Like others have said, towing can be done quite reasonably....

dj

kloudie1 · Nov 25, 2022

I feel for ya, Brian. About 10 years ago, our marina decided to upgrade the slips and piers. They told us to go away and did not guarantee a slip when the work was done. Kinda tense... The other close by marinas raised their prices so they were about double and for a much less desirable slip. We ended up going to a marina about 20 miles away for the 6 months of the rebuild. I thought being in a secured place with condos all around would be nice, but it was too much like being in a city . We got back to the origiinal marina at first opportunity . The renovations are much better than the old slips and my wallk to load the boat is back to 30 feet instead of 200 + yards.

SycloneDriver · Nov 25, 2022

Do you have space for it at home? If so and it's allowed in your neighborhood, have the boat delivered and put on jack-stands at your home. Then spend some time on projects.

Kings Gambit · Nov 25, 2022

Brian D said:
Yeah, San Pedro is just a wee bit too far north. LOL

It’s mostly a matter of the drive time IMO. The distance is about 75 miles. In light/moderate traffic, which is still a possibility at certain times, your drive is between an hr and an hour and a half, say. Good weekend get-a-way location for staying aboard. Maybe new explorations possible. Great daysailing inside the breakwater down at Long Beach Harbor. Places to visit close in: Alamitos Bay, Rainbow Harbor, overnight anchorages (urban). Maybe join Navy Yacht Club Long Beach in Alamitos Bay for 2023/2024 which is easy for military folks to do. Lots of possibilities. I think that would be my choice of the ones I’ve read.

We commuted between Long Beach and Ventura for 4 yr. Did not like the drive but loved the get-a-ways and the new cruising venues in the Channel Islands. Relocate the boat to San Pedro for a time and make those trips to Cat Harbor and Santa Barbara Island, 35 and 46 n.mi., respectively, WSW!!

jssailem · Nov 25, 2022

kloudie1 said:
my wallk to load the boat is back to 30 feet instead of 200 + yards.

How do you get your daily steps in to maintain that slim trim sailor figure.

Scott T-Bird · Nov 25, 2022

Kings Gambit said:
Good weekend get-a-way location for staying aboard. Maybe new explorations possible. Great daysailing inside the breakwater down at Long Beach Harbor. Places to visit close in: Alamitos Bay, Rainbow Harbor, overnight anchorages (urban). Maybe join Navy Yacht Club Long Beach in Alamitos Bay for 2023/2024 which is easy for military folks to do. Lots of possibilities. I think that would be my choice of the ones I’ve read.

I'm with KG ... your boat on a trailer is just going to cost you time and frustration and you won't be using it. You'd be better off just storing it in a yard until the renovations are done. But if San Pedro has slips and they are in your price point, why the hesitation? You'll probably like the change of scenery. I'd rather drive a car anyday rather than spend that time rigging a boat from a trailer. You make it sound like there aren't any available options nearby. Put your mind at ease and put here in a new location before even that is unavailable. You won't have the stress of trailering, you'll just have the drive to deal with for a little while, if you don't like it.

rgranger · Nov 25, 2022

I have bought a few trailers over the years. I have found the cheapest way is to shop fo a really sad boat sitting on a serviceable trailer. Then sell the boat for $100

The joys of boat ownership

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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