How increasing TRANSIENT marinas fees are(or not) affecting your upcoming cruising plans

[Davil1]

Did not initiate this thread on the Marinas section as I believe is more general and closer to cruising.?

Checking the continuous rate increases of transient dockage, wonder if you are changing your plans.

Because anchoring is one way to lower the cost, I do not include anchoring because, as I age and increasing physical limitations, find anchoring challenging.

Over the years, found marina use to extend the ability to continue despite my limitations.

 

[slowgoesit]

Not really affecting our travels, but WILL end up anchoring out more instead of using marinas. We tend to be too large for mooring balls, example, Boot Key Marina, in Marathon, FL has approximately 226 mooring balls. Only 15 of those are for boats longer than 45', less than 7%, so in Winter, we're pretty much excluded from going there. So we go elsewhere, and anchor out.

Spoiler alert: We prefer to anchor out most times anyway, due to not only cost, but quiet. Re/ cost, I'd rather spend the $150+/night a marina would charge, on eating out, diesel, boat repairs, etc, rather than pay to a high priced marina.

 

[rslifkin]

Increasing transient rates does impact the dock vs anchor decision for us at times (depends on location as well). And it also impacts where we choose to go, or sometimes where we decide to stay within a given area. It has definitely been a factor in planning for a trip this summer, as the cost of some of our possible stops varies pretty significantly depending on exactly where we stay.

 

[Davil1]

Increasing transient rates does impact the dock vs anchor decision for us at times (depends on location as well). And it also impacts where we choose to go, or sometimes where we decide to stay within a given area. It has definitely been a factor in planning for a trip this summer, as the cost of some of our possible stops varies pretty significantly depending on exactly where we stay.

Interesting regarding WHERE planing for this season

 

[TJM]

Increasing transient fees affects our travel destinations and plans. Some of our local Marinas charge close to $400 per night and a 2 night minimum for our 41' Trawler. The anchorages ae filling up fast nowadays.

 

[rslifkin]

Interesting regarding WHERE planing for this season

For us it's not any big changes to the area we're planning to cruise this summer, but definitely a choice in which places we stop, how much time we spend at anchor vs docks, and whether we stay 1 night in some places or a few nights.

 

[tiltrider1]

As a member of SYC I have 14 out stations to choose from. This takes care of most my dock visits. After that I would have a specific reason to visit a specific dock so I’m not likely to be price sensitive. There are a few marinas that are exceptionally expensive, no surprise that I haven’t visited them in decades.

 

[Davil1]

what areas do you think are more affordable

 

[Jklotz]

Increasing transient fees affects our travel destinations and plans. Some of our local Marinas charge close to $400 per night and a 2 night minimum for our 41' Trawler. The anchorages ae filling up fast nowadays.

Wow! Really? Where is that?

 

[slowgoesit]

Well, MV Weebles just posted on another thread:

Key Bight Marina (Key West) is $5/ft/day; $28/ft/wk. Far from cheap but a very cool place to hang for a bit.

 

[Mac2]

I setup my boat with the idea of anchoring out the majority of the time-cost and privacy reasons. This meant no cost limitations on my anchoring system. I wouldn’t do anything different (anchor wise) if preparing for extreme wind conditions. I also setup my primary dinghy to travel distances in any weather-enclosed helm, or removable vinyl windows/canvas. I also have a inflatable dinghy with electric motor for the typical short trips. For me, this alleviates the stress of docking, finding space at the marina etc.

 

[BroadCove]

To jklotz, last time I was in New England, which was 2021, multiple marinas (Newport and Kennebunkport are two I recall for sure) were $7.50/ft/night, with 2-3 night minimums.

 

[Iggy]

It could... It all depends on the Stock Market and more so prices going up. Oh wait, weren’t prices supposed to go down?

 

[mvweebles]

Well, if transient fee increases are going to make me change my boating habits, I'll get a smaller boat. We started thinking we'd anchor a bunch but we've had so much fun visiting towns and people that we've come to accept that marinas are just part of the equation.

Peter

 

[TJM]

To Jklotz, Block Island, Rhode Island during July. Between 8-9 per foot over 40' and you are rafted TIGHTLY.

 

[mvweebles]

Well, owner wanted the boat washed and expected a high price here in Key West. $700 took his breath away so today is boat wash day.

The good news is there are three craft beer places within a half mile so there will be payment in kind. "Will work for beer." Gorgeous weather here. 80-ish and dry. Yummy.

Peter

 

[Davil1]

Well, if transient fee increases are going to make me change my boating habits, I'll get a smaller boat. We started thinking we'd anchor a bunch but we've had so much fun visiting towns and people that we've come to accept that marinas are just part of the equation.

Peter

yes
I agree with your view

Sailing/cruising in my octogenarian stage find marinas provide me with part of my “social life” even walking to the showers imply saying hi to other people, easier walk to town or Uber.

Although cooking aboard is not a problem, prefer the exploring new eateries.
Weather is not a major concern, the most is an extra sweater or light raincoat.

I just purchased a new small OB for my dinghy, just in case however prefer to walk off the boat.

I take the marina expenses as part of my “overhead” expenses.
There are other expenses have to factor in, no longer able painting the bottom for instance.

The wallet is another instrument.

Life is good