Safe Harbor

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UALcaptain

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
28
Vessel Name
Southerly
Vessel Make
Grand Banks 42 CL # 806
A benefit of Safe Harbor membership is unlimited free transient slips (up to three consecutive nights per location). I am wondering if a Safe Harbor membership is worthwhile for this benefit alone? Full disclosure ... we intend to keep our boat berthed at our current (not a Safe Harbor) marina, and are interested in joining purely for the transient slips. Has anyone done this? Thanks!
 
When we spent 4 months aboard over this last winter, we were at SH Charleston City marina, on their "winter special" contract. Sure enough, that qualified us for an annual membership, so we got freebie transient slips and fuel at their cost. In our case, not too bad a deal, since we were able to stay at two other SH marinas on the way down, ditto on the way back, and three up here after we returned home.

The rate for that "special" was $103.25/ft, plus power at $250/mo for 50A. So the total was up near approaching what we pay for a full year at our home marina.

But I'm under the impression you normally have to actually be berthed in an SH marina, and can't just "buy a membership" unless you come across one of these special kinda deals.

Then too, SH marinas don't grow on trees even though they seem to be everywhere. Up here, there are five within 40 NM, and we went to couple of those for a weekend each. But one is hard to get into, one isn't a location we care much about, and boat issues hosed up our plans to visit the third. Another is about 80 NM south, and we hung there for weather once on a longer trip Summer trip... but it's far enough away we wouldn't normally think of that as a short-term destination.

-Chris
 
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Looks like they have the coast covered pretty well. The Looper community might be able to address this as it seems like a very attractive option for those on the go across most of their geography.


This might be a catch though: "Whenever and wherever we have complimentary availability, Members stay for free." Airlines used to (maybe still do) limit reward seats, and more on some flights than others. There might be 130 seats on a flight, but only 4 of them are available for reward flights. Worth looking in to.
 
When we spent 4 months aboard over this last winter, we were at SH Charleston City marina, on their "winter special" contract. Sure enough, that qualified us for an annual membership, so we got freebie transient slips and fuel at their cost. In our case, not too bad a deal, since we were able to stay at two other SH marinas on the way down, ditto on the way back, and three up here after we returned home.

The rate for that "special" was $103.25/ft, plus power at $250/mo for 50A. So the total was up near approaching what we pay for a full year at our home marina.

But I'm under the impression you normally have to actually be berthed in an SH marina, and can't just "buy a membership" unless you come across one of these special kinda deals.

Then too, SH marinas don't grow on trees even though they seem to be everywhere. Up here, there are five within 40 NM, and we went to couple of those for a weekend each. But one is hard to get into, one isn't a location we care much about, and boat issues hosed up our plans to visit the third. Another is about 80 NM south, and we hung there for weather once on a longer trip Summer trip... but it's far enough away we wouldn't normally think of that as a short-term destination.

-Chris
Good points. The cost-benefit may not be there.
 
Looks like they have the coast covered pretty well. The Looper community might be able to address this as it seems like a very attractive option for those on the go across most of their geography.


This might be a catch though: "Whenever and wherever we have complimentary availability, Members stay for free." Airlines used to (maybe still do) limit reward seats, and more on some flights than others. There might be 130 seats on a flight, but only 4 of them are available for reward flights. Worth looking in to.
Good point. "Availability" may very well be tightly controlled.
 
We have plans to add a East coast boat soon, do the loop, Bahamas and Carib eventually.
Hope to base in NC somewhere as we have a Kid in the DC area and would like to be "close". That being said, if one goes the Safe Harbor route if your doing the loop what is the likelihood you can use the free slip option very often?. Trying to wrap my head around various tax implications of different states and counties, Hurricane issues, areas that freeze or don't and dealing with slim water and bridge clearances.
I feel lucky having based on the West coast my entire boating life and not having to deal with all these troubles! ( and the humidity,bugs,crocs, )If the Admiral wasn't set on the loop there is no way I would leave the West coast... Alaska to Panama then into the Carib is a huge area.
Any loopers care to add to the Safe harbor info?
Hollywood
 
I am a safe harbor member, home port is Harborage Yacht Club in Stuart, Fl.

The transient benefit works as described; you tell the Safe Harbor national concierge where you would like to stay and when and they work with the member marinas to make it happen. The concierge handles all the arrangements and when they secure your space you just show up and everything is taken care of. I’ve only been with SH for about 6 months now but I have used this service twice to to get transient stays on Florida ICW trips and they got me in where I wanted. I think it’s a great benefit.

As mentioned above, to be a member you must have a slip at a member marina, so I cannot imagine leasing a slip with them that you are going to leave empty year round just so you can avail yourself of the transient benefit would be cost effective. Especially since they do not allow subletting.
 
The transient benefit works as described
That is encouraging. Safe Harbor has a site in our home port of Sandusky, but it is not walking distance from town and its view is limited to the coal dock. Still, very attractive benefit for those on the move as we aspire to in the coming years.
 
So I stumbled onto SH due to my marina being taken over.

Two quick stories - I have gone from NJ to FL and on one of those trips I was diving with my boat out of Islamorada and on the way back I was not paying attention - got out of the channel and bent a prop on a Friday afternoon. The SH Marina allowed me to stay 6 nights free - as most people know Floridians do not work on the weekend so I had to wait until Monday to get someone in to look at the boat. The hoist did not belong to the marina so I had to pay for that - but for 6 days in heaven we waited, drank and ate. I was very happy knowing I had a free stay for an unplanned event.

Second story is the SH marinas are not always at the destination of choice but I truly enjoyed the Montauk SH Marina - free of charge. The busy marinas will not let you stay forever but with some pre-planning they are worth the price of admission.

Now - my annual fees have gone up and some of the boaters have left. For me - floating docks and the occassional SH marina stay is the icing on the cake....

YMMV but I enjoy and take advantage of the perks.
 
Now - my annual fees have gone up and some of the boaters have left.
This is good news. If this trend continues SH might just re-think their policy of cranking the rates up well above the regional average. On the other hand, I suppose they just might buy out the few remaining competitors and bring up the average. That certainly seems to be what they're doing in my area.
 
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This may be a regional thing, but here in LIS/Narragansett demand seems to factor significantly into the "free transient slips" thing. In 6 or 7 attempts over the past two seasons, only once was the concierge able to find me a berth where/when I wanted. It seems that the desirable spots (mystic, newport, greenport) are essentially off the list because they'll be able to charge full price for those anyway, the free transients seem to apply to the "why would you bother" ports like Westbrook or Deep River or Warwick.

I think the fuel discount adds up to a much greater benefit than the free transients.
 
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Figment states my feelings as well. We are in Essex at SH. "availability" is the convenient issue. We have been ignored / declined numerous times this summer. They are not using Dockwa anymore and using Dockspot. They acquired their own platform for reservations. A big UGH there. Last month trying to make reservations in Mystic was a complete disaster thru dockspot.
 
Not saying the situation you guys describe isn’t real at all, but - If you suspect they are playing games with “availability”, seems like you could easily prove that by requesting dockage as a different, paying, customer after you’ve been denied free transient space. If they suddenly have a spot available for a boat your size and draft that would be pretty damning evidence.

I’ve heard about the dockspot transition but at least as recently as late October this year my transient reservations were done by the concierge with Dockwa. I’m not sure how much this will matter since I just request the transient through the SH app, and whatever reservation system they want to use is their issue; I just wait for the email saying my spot is confirmed or not. Never had to actually do anything in Dockwa or otherwise to get a slip.
 
This may be a regional thing, but here in LIS/Narragansett demand seems to factor significantly into the "free transient slips" thing. In 6 or 7 attempts over the past two seasons, only once was the concierge able to find me a berth where/when I wanted.

Same for Safe Harbor Annapolis; concierge wasn't able to get us in there when we had a chance to be in the area...

-Chris
 
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Not saying the situation you guys describe isn’t real at all, but - If you suspect they are playing games with “availability”, seems like you could easily prove that by requesting dockage as a different, paying, customer after you’ve been denied free transient space. If they suddenly have a spot available for a boat your size and draft that would be pretty damning evidence....
That was exactly the case on at least two of those occasions.

I don't mean to be bashing SH here. I'm a capitalist, I don't begrudge them the right to run their show for profit. My point is simply that the "free transients" thing doesn't hold much value for me as it's currently implemented.
Several of my dock-neighbors disagree, they're delighted to cruise to the less-desirable locations and stay for free.
 
I was under the impression that member marinas were obligated to provide members with transient space if they have anything suitable at all available. For example, New Port Cove gave me a 60’ slip for my 31’ boat because that was all they had available
IMG_9649.jpeg


if this is not the case, and they have an option to deny a stay even when there is space available, then that certainly diminishes the benefit’s value. I wonder what safe harbor corporate would say if you showed them proof of the member marina offering you paid dockage space after you had been denied a transient stay due to no availability…
 
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I was under the impression that member marinas were obligated to provide members with transient space if they have anything suitable at all available. For example, New Port Cove gave me a 60’ slip for my 31’ boat because that was all they had available

Can't say I've encountered anything like that. SH Annapolis, th only one we weren't able to get into, has always not been easy to get a slip... since well before SH, when it was still a Mears marina. Popular place...

-Chris
 
Many of the safe harbors in the northeast are full and unless someone leaves for the weekend no transient slips exist. Dockspot is on the back burner and they are still using Dockwa. I go up and down the east coast and have never been refused a slip if one was available. As someone mentioned the fuel discount is more valuable than the transient nights. Good power, good water, responsive and good customer service.
 
A benefit of Safe Harbor membership is unlimited free transient slips (up to three consecutive nights per location). I am wondering if a Safe Harbor membership is worthwhile for this benefit alone? Full disclosure ... we intend to keep our boat berthed at our current (not a Safe Harbor) marina, and are interested in joining purely for the transient slips. Has anyone done this? Thanks!
I have found it very beneficial for two reasons 1) the free stays (includes water and power and 2) fuel at their cost-this has been over a dollar a gallon savings for us. We have been to many SH facilities and have found their staffs to be hospitable and competent.
 
A benefit of Safe Harbor membership is unlimited free transient slips (up to three consecutive nights per location). I am wondering if a Safe Harbor membership is worthwhile for this benefit alone? Full disclosure ... we intend to keep our boat berthed at our current (not a Safe Harbor) marina, and are interested in joining purely for the transient slips. Has anyone done this? Thanks!
We have been safe harbor members for 5 years at Bohemia Vista Marina in the upper Chesapeake. It’s absolutely worth it. Each year we travel around the Bay and stay at several safe harbor marinas. And yes it’s free. Also you get fuel at their cost.
 
You have to be reasonable with this benefit.

You can look at individual SH marina websites to see some have Blackout dates- eg Keys in January, or Annapolis/ FLL/ Newport during boat shows, or LI Sound and the Vineyard in summer, or Charleston in race week, etc etc.

These locations pay the bills with their prime times. I was a SH customer for many years and found them to be expensive but offer a lot for the money, like a resort with pool and playgrounds for grandkids, good techs, fuel, restaurant, picnic gazebos, paved parking and boat yard. Wife loved SH so… 🤓

If you will vacate your home slip during a prime time you might get preferential treatment elsewhere, but it’s unreasonable to think you can home base on the Hudson River then spend winter months free in Key Largo
 
If you are cruising, Fuel cost savings offsets the occasional transportation costs of some of their weird non-prime locations. That also adds to the adventure of cruising. we are in year 5 of SH membership and have enjoyed the locations from FL to MD. Looking forward to seeing more when the weather breaks.
 
I own a trailer trawler so not "qualified for membership" but........ I am always curious about something for nothing offer ie free this and free that. They remind me of a casino. The house always wins.
 
something for nothing offer ie free this and free that.

Can't say this is that; SH charges for their membership... not insignificant. Membership just happens to include more than the home slip, useful for some, maybe not for others.

-Chris
 
I am always curious about something for nothing offer ie free this and free that. They remind me of a casino. The house always wins.
:iagree:

SH rubbed me the wrong way years ago and I never spent another dollar with them.


Last fall I was going to meet up with friends and take a mooring in Beaufort SC. Found out that SH now runs the waterfront in Beaufort, and moorings have doubled in price. Easy enough to anchor out and use the dinghy dock that they don't control.

Ted
 
Found out that SH now runs the waterfront in Beaufort, and moorings have doubled in price.
This is exactly the sort of thing I don't like about SH.

I do understand it though. They're catering to the "upscale" yottie-type boaters. That's where the money is. That's just business. It's still sad though. We're pretty much at the point where a working stiff has no chance of ever being able to own a "cruising" boat. The marinas they used to keep them at are now SH "resort" marinas. These marinas are admittedly very nice... for those who can afford it.
 
Given some of the maintenance and improvement work at some of the marinas, I wouldn't think raising prices would be a huge surprise. Not sure SH acquisition is the only impetus pushing those higher costs, since storm damage might have also been a factor at some...

But we saw SH Charleston City docks being added to (another "megadock") plus total remake of all the other inner docks...

South Harbour Village in Southport recovering from hurricane damage...

SH Kent Narrows and SH Oxford converting to floating docks...

Maybe other similar projects... and (guessing) probably not much of that covered by prior revenue...

-Chris
 
Given some of the maintenance and improvement work at some of the marinas, I wouldn't think raising prices would be a huge surprise. Not sure SH acquisition is the only impetus pushing those higher costs, since storm damage might have also been a factor at some...

But we saw SH Charleston City docks being added to (another "megadock") plus total remake of all the other inner docks...

South Harbour Village in Southport recovering from hurricane damage...

SH Kent Narrows and SH Oxford converting to floating docks...

Maybe other similar projects... and (guessing) probably not much of that covered by prior revenue...

-Chris
Don't think they did any improvements to Beaufort SC, other than raising rates.

One of the other points to be made is that many municipal marinas intentionally keep prices low to increase tourism and local retail business. In areas with a significant number of towns and small cities, good facilities with modest dockage translates to good retail business. Great examples of this are Spencerport, Pittsford, and Fairport on the Erie canal. Most people pass up visiting New York city when going up the Hudson River, partly because dockage can be 5+ times the price of towns 30 miles away.

Ted
 
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My home port of Sandusky has yet to realize that relationship. The municipal dock, even their dinghy dock, is absurdly expensive. It's as if they are discouraging transient or day traffic.

And the Safe Harbor in Sandusky is nice enough, but on the "wrong side of the tracks" and not within walking distance of town. Sad.
 
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