Where do you keep your boat?

[chrism]

I'm curious where everyone keeps their boat... I'm at a mooring, but I just read an article on Wikipedia about Marina del Rey, and was surprised to see a lot of docks and very few (if any) moorings in a picture... So where do you keep your boat?

 

[Randy Rutledge]

but not now

My boat is normally tied up to a dock but has been on the trailer for almost 10 months. Pulled her out last year to do the bottom but life got in the way. The completion of three unfinished rooms, my daughter’s wedding and a few other honey do items behind me and I now am hard at work on the boat in my spare time HAHA! The problem now is that the lake is down to the point I don’t think I can launch when she is finished.
NOT WHAT I PLANNED

I am lucky to have a trailer for the E29 to move her and to store her at home for the work.

 

[rwthomas1]

Being on a mooring is a PITA but its less of a PITA than a slip. I hate having to pull up, fenders, docklines, etc. and store them. I also hate the extra effort required to return very carefully to a slip without hitting anything. Much easier to dinghy out, start her up and then drop the pennants. Moorings are much cooler in temp too. The boat swings with the breeze and the hatches keep the ventilation going strong. Oh yeah, more privacy too. No one walking down the dock looking into your boat. Lastly, my club does not allow cooking on a grill on the dock or refueling the dinghy or boat either. On the mooring, anything goes. RT

 

[gareth harris]

I also hate the extra effort required to return very carefully to a slip without hitting anything. RT

Do you know a good recipe for rum punch?

I will be unable to vote until the option 'warehouse' is added. I have, however, flown over just about all the coastline from Boston round the circuit to Santa Barbara, and slips seem to be the more common by a good margin; convenience, I guess.

Gareth
Freyja E35 #241 1972

 

[MarkA]

Being on a mooring is a PITA but its less of a PITA than a slip. I hate having to pull up, fenders, docklines, etc. and store them. RT

Strange.

I would hate making multiple dinghy trips to the boat with the hundreds of pounds of bags, food, booze, dive gear, equipment, etc. needed for our family's weekend outtings. Every week.

Then, I suppose you tow the dinghy wherever you go? If you have a motor, do you keep it mounted on the dinghy while you tow? I prefer to keep ours deflated and stowed until we need it.

And what about the inconvenience of no fresh water hose? No docks on either side to provide convenient and steady access for maintenence and inspections?

And, who in the world grills in the friggin' harbor? GET OUT AND SAIL!

Steering straight and stowing dock lines and fenders is a small price to pay for the vastly improved convenience of a good slip, IMHO.

 

[Mike.Gritten]

I gotta' go with Mark on this one. We do like the convenience of being at the dock. We have none of the restrictions that Rob speaks of and we have all the conveniences that Mark mentions.

 

[NateHanson]

slips seem to be the more common by a good margin; convenience, I guess.

Gareth
Freyja E35 #241 1972

I don't think it's convenience as much as profits. You can make a lot more money renting out 500 marina slips than you can renting out 25 moorings in the same space. The reason there are more docks is because you can fit so many more boats in the limited space around urban areas.

Around here moorings are the only option because the nearest marina with slips that I know of is in Falmouth, 100 miles southwest of here.

I have my boat on a mooring, but I usually bring her into the dock to load up with supplies, kids, dog, etc before going out.

 

[Randy Rutledge]

People talk about docks like they are impossible to reach and a gauntlet to run when entering and leaving. I often sail out and back no motor when I have a couple f people with me and the right wind. I don’t see cross winds or any other challenge that would make me want to give up the convenience of a dock, AC power and water hookup.

You just have to know your boat and how to make it go where and when you want, the right approach for cross wind will let you dock with no issues. Practice backing and approaching a marker in open water, you can approach with the wind from either side fore or aft. Prop walk and crosswinds can be adjusted for.

I hope after almost a year I can still do these things. My boat is on the trailer and may be until next spring.

 

[TwistedLogic]

I have the best of both worlds, a dock I get to use for free with no bridges and less than five minutes to the gulf. My only problem is that the dock faces an open bay with dozens of moorings. Some of the moored boats are abandoned and pose a threat when they break free. But, I love my dock.

 

[rwthomas1]

Do you know a good recipe for rum punch?
Gareth
Freyja E35 #241 1972

As a matter of fact I do:
Four strong, three week, two sour and one sweet.
Four parts rum, recommend Mount Gay
Three parts water
Two parts Roses Lime Juice
One part brown sugar.
Stir all until fully mixed, serve over ice with a touch of fresh grated nutmeg on top.
RT

 

[rwthomas1]

Strange.

I would hate making multiple dinghy trips to the boat with the hundreds of pounds of bags, food, booze, dive gear, equipment, etc. needed for our family's weekend outtings. Every week.

Never had a problem. The most trips I have made is three to move all we needed for a one week outing. If I need to load up a bunch of passengers or stuff I simply pull into the nearest slip and go for it

Then, I suppose you tow the dinghy wherever you go? If you have a motor, do you keep it mounted on the dinghy while you tow? I prefer to keep ours deflated and stowed until we need it.

I only tow the dinghy if I am going to need it. Sometimes when going on an overnight trip we take it, sometimes not. Never tow with the outboard on the dinghy. The outboard mounts in the pushpit when we are towing. If not taking the dinghy it just gets clipped onto the mooring ball until we return.

And what about the inconvenience of no fresh water hose? No docks on either side to provide convenient and steady access for maintenence and inspections?

There is a courtesy dock at my marina and one right on the other side of the harbor at the town dock. I can stay overnight at my marina in any empty slip during the week and I pay $0.75/ft overnights on weekends if I need it. Why would I need ready access to water? I fill the tanks when needed and wash the boat twice a month or so. Never had a problem doing maintenance on the mooring either.

And, who in the world grills in the friggin' harbor? GET OUT AND SAIL!

I grill dinner after I return from an evening sail or race, usually 3-4 times during the week. Its a good cheap way to have a great dinner. Private, romantic, keeps the wife happy, etc.

Steering straight and stowing dock lines and fenders is a small price to pay for the vastly improved convenience of a good slip, IMHO.

I should also mention I pay $20/ft for the season for my mooring in the most protected harbor in the state. Is that a good reason? RT

 

[MarkA]

I should also mention I pay $20/ft for the season for my mooring in the most protected harbor in the state. Is that a good reason? RT

Versus my $11/ft. per month? Naaaaaah!

But I'm at the boat nearly every day, and I could never give up the convenience of a slip. In fact, I'm tempted to move to a $15/ft. per month marina.

Still, $760 a year for parking the boat? I pay more than half that just to keep my bottom scrubbed! (Which is cheaper on a dock than a mooring).

And yeah, I would probably grill on a mooring in the home harbor. I've done it at transient slips, but I can't see doing that in my home slip.

 

[rwthomas1]

People talk about docks like they are impossible to reach and a gauntlet to run when entering and leaving. I often sail out and back no motor when I have a couple f people with me and the right wind. I don’t see cross winds or any other challenge that would make me want to give up the convenience of a dock, AC power and water hookup.

You just have to know your boat and how to make it go where and when you want, the right approach for cross wind will let you dock with no issues. Practice backing and approaching a marker in open water, you can approach with the wind from either side fore or aft. Prop walk and crosswinds can be adjusted for.

I hope after almost a year I can still do these things. My boat is on the trailer and may be until next spring.

You would likely not be able to sail into or out of the slips at my marina. There is one guy at my club who does it occasionally but he has also run aground doing it, had collisions, etc. Too much other traffic and the required course is tight and winding. The channel is very narrow, less than 8ft just outside of low tide, and it swings through a 180* turn. You would have to leave the dock and then pick your way in and out through a several hundred moored boats just a few feet apart, then the channel I mention. Could you do it? Sure. I and the other moored boat owners wouldn't be too happy about it though. RT

 

[rwthomas1]

Versus my $11/ft. per month? Naaaaaah!

But I'm at the boat nearly every day, and I could never give up the convenience of a slip. In fact, I'm tempted to move to a $15/ft. per month marina.

Still, $760 a year for parking the boat? I pay more than half that just to keep my bottom scrubbed! (Which is cheaper on a dock than a mooring).

And yeah, I would probably grill on a mooring in the home harbor. I've done it at transient slips, but I can't see doing that in my home slip.

Those kinds of expenses would push me right out of the E38 and maybe boating. I scrub my own boat. Its all about what you can deal with financially. Here, you can actually OWN your mooring if you can get a spot and the permits, etc. Once you own it, just pay the maintenance fees or dive it yourself and an inspection every three years. Thats the next step for us. The big commercial marinas here get $120-$140/ft for the season. We "save" those slips for the out-of-stater's and Newport bluebloods. RT

 

[MarkA]

Those kinds of expenses would push me right out of the E38 and maybe boating. I scrub my own boat. RT

Yikes! There aren't many alternatives here in Southern California.

When I bought the boat, it was on a mooring in San Diego, along a very busy channel. Large wakes threatened to swamp the dinghy every time, and it was at least a quarter mile row from the dinghy beach. The nearest dock was nearly a mile away from the bouy. THAT SUCKED!

In the LA area, there are very few moorings. Slips are about the only realistic option.

I'm at a pretty run-down marina along the main channel of LA harbor. The docks are ok, but the boats are exposed to a lot of wake action, and the water is too gross to dive yourself. Security is good. Here, the price is considered pretty reasonable.

The better marina near me wants $15/ft, but has nicer facilities and is about 1/2 mile closer to my house (about 2 miles) and about 1/2 mile closer to LA Light, which marks the entrance to LA Harbor. It also has a year-long waiting list. but it's more protected, the docks are newer, the showers, etc. are very clean, better parking, etc.

Bottom scrubbing is $35/month for me. That's well worth it, because I think I'd glow in the dark if I dived in the harbor too often.

Fortunately, I paid cash for the boat and have no payments to make. Otherwise, I would view this very differently.

 

[Rob Hessenius]

Marinas

Wow!!! What a broad view that we have.

I keep my yacht at a marina, $1250 a season (April-Nov). I love the ease of walking on board. Cast off, furl the headsail and away I go. I had my boat on a plug, but that was a pain in the ass. I questioned my ownership? I understand that I most likely live in a place in our country that dock space is available, yet still affordable. I do live 4 minutes away. What a rush to be on the water quick. I'm not personally into grilling on my boat, but I like to call in pizza, here and there. Dominoes wont row a dink out.

Im not sure that there is a proper place or method of locating your boat, except for youre individual needs.

I love the banter and to hear each and everyones opinions.

Regards, Rob Hessenius

 

[JohnK]

The big commercial marinas here get $120-$140/ft for the season. We "save" those slips for the out-of-stater's and Newport bluebloods. RT

$120/ft? Where so cheap? Slips at Conanicut or Pt. Judith are $6000+ per season for a 38'. God knows what Newport is - and that's IF you can get on the waiting list. Even my crappy mooring in the self-described 'redneck boatyard' of Narragansett Bay is $65/ft per season!

P.S. - I'd almost pay to see someone try to sail in/out of Rob's Allen Harbor without hitting anything...

 

[rwthomas1]

Yes there are certainly plenty of options and opinions on this one. The important thing is we all have something that works for us.

MarkA-If I dove in my harbor I would glow too. Its an ex-USN base and superfund site.... I take her out and drop the hook or just dive her when on a weekend trip. I still have a note on the boat but I pay as much as possible to get it paid off as soon as I can. Then keeping her will be much less stress financially.

JohnK-There are cheaper places up the bay, some down close to $100/ft. Check out http://www.riyc.org/ The oldest club on the bay, IIRC, they OWN their property and are even deeded the seabed of their mooring field. I think its $60-$70/ft. The problem is they are way up North in the bay so sailing out can add hours to a long trip. Its a great club though. My club is also accepting applications but there is a twist/caveat that I would have to discuss with you to make sure you understand how it works. BTW, MY club is more redneck than YOURS!!

RT

 

[gareth harris]

I, too, enjoy cleaning my hull. It is good to keep an eye on things below, also, it is part of the tradition of sailboats. And it saves money. Usually I will use a mask and snorkel rather than full dive gear. That said, I would never have done it at the marina where I bought the boat in Wilmington Ca.

It sounds a shame I never got to see Maine, as it sounds very different from most of the rest of the coastline in the country. I am picturing a lot of natural harbours if most boats are at moorings.

This is a really entertaining thread. I have even heard from someone who sounds worse at maintaining his engine than me.

Gareth
Freyja E35 #241 1972

 

[NateHanson]

It sounds a shame I never got to see Maine, as it sounds very different from most of the rest of the coastline in the country. I am picturing a lot of natural harbours if most boats are at moorings.

You can't drive off a coastal road north of Portland, ME without landing in a well protected natural harbor. The coastline is extremely different from the west coast. Cruising is easy because you can go an hour or a week in any direction, and find a place to drop an anchor for the night.