Dry Dock Winter/Transient Summer

[bbarnes61]

I'm sure this has been covered so if you can direct me to the thread that would be great. My questions are, if you dry dock during the winter and secure transient moorage in the summer what is the process like, how difficult is it finding moorage and are you able to work on your boat during the winter months. I am currently in covered moorage in LaConner and am totally satisfied. Working with the folks in LaConner is a awesome compared to Everett. As I am getting close to retirement I am looking at ways to cut costs. I have also found that it has become harder to boat in the fall and winter months due to erratic weather. Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[Ken E.]

..... My questions are, if you dry dock during the winter and secure transient moorage in the summer what is the process like, how difficult is it finding moorage and are you able to work on your boat during the winter months....

The first question, on transient moorage, depends on where you go in the summer months. If you're Northbound, in BC and SE AK, you'll find moorage, but at higher rates than having your own slip. I've seldom been turned away and calling in advance helps. Getting a transient slip locally at say Bellingham, Anacortes and South to Puget Sound may be harder during high season based on high demand and more boats.

Secondly, hauled out in winter and working on your boat also depends, on the nature of the work. These days, at least here, no DIY bottom painting, zincs or similar outside work is allowed at the yard I use. I'm sure this is driven by both environmental rules and also wanting to do the work themselves. But what projects I've done inside the boat while hauled out has never been challenged. They either aren't aware of it, or don't care. Different yards will have their own rules.

 

[Para Familia]

The first question, on transient moorage, depends on where you go in the summer months. If you're Northbound, in BC and SE AK, you'll find moorage, but at higher rates than having your own slip. I've seldom been turned away and calling in advance helps. Getting a transient slip locally at say Bellingham, Anacortes and South to Puget Sound may be harder during high season based on high demand and more boats.

Secondly, hauled out in winter and working on your boat also depends, on the nature of the work. These days, at least here, no DIY bottom painting, zincs or similar outside work is allowed at the yard I use. I'm sure this is driven by both environmental rules and also wanting to do the work themselves. But what projects I've done inside the boat while hauled out has never been challenged. They either aren't aware of it, or don't care. Different yards will have their own rules.

I'm on Lake Ontario in NYS. We have the same experience. Cheaper to find a permanent mooring for summer and in the winter we just did our shopping as to who had space indoors compared to outdoors, how much wintery precipitation they got and what they would allow us to do.
We are lucky enough to have found a marina that can accommodate up to 90 ft. in dock and pull and store a 60ft inside if needed. We can do whatever we need to work wise including paint, canvas and fuel system work. That isn't always the case though.
I would also caution that marinas that will allow many things tend to be lax in security and other services and conveniences.

 

[tiltrider1]

La Conner is so reasonable price wise I suspect you won’t save any money playing the dry storage game. While the winter months will look cheaper than La Conner you will probably burn up anything you save on expensive transit moorage while working on your boat.