Snag-A-Slip bankruptcy

[MV Moira]

Cruisersnet.net reports that Snag-a-Slip has filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased operations. Cruisersnet report here..

Edit: this apparently happened back on 10/3 and just now is making its way to Cruisersnet.net

 

[Shrew]

Both Dockwa and Snag-A-Slip went live around 2015. Dockwa had better market penetration. There isn't enough room in the business space for multiple vendors.

 

[rslifkin]

There's also Dockspot, so there are at least 3 trying for that market.

 

[SteveK]

Both Dockwa and Snag-A-Slip went live around 2015. Dockwa had better market penetration. There isn't enough room in the business space for multiple vendors.

Do they operate differently than all the hotel room sites which offer the same room at different prices?

 

[MV Moira]

My experience with Snag-a-Slip was that the offering party (slip owner) sets the price. I suppose that if an owner had contracts with multiple listing agents he could set a different price with each.

 

[MV Moira]

For what it's worth, neither Dockwa nor Dockspot seem to be eager to work with an individual who wants to rent out a slip he owns. It seems that Snag-a-Slip was the only player in that market. Dockwa and Dockspot are more focused on managing a whole marina, including fuel docks, etc.

 

[CaptTom]

Dockwa has by far the most (almost universal) market share in our area. I'm sort of glad I don't have to have accounts on multiple apps just to see what's available.

That said, I do hate the whole idea of reserving a slip or mooring any earlier than when I wake up in the morning, look at weather conditions, and decide where I might be at the end of the day.

Unfortunately I'm a member of a small and shrinking minority. It would appear most boaters plan their cruises far in advance these days. I'm only glad I got to live in a time when there was still some spontaneity allowed.

 

[rslifkin]

Dockwa has by far the most (almost universal) market share in our area. I'm sort of glad I don't have to have accounts on multiple apps just to see what's available.

That said, I do hate the whole idea of reserving a slip or mooring any earlier than when I wake up in the morning, look at weather conditions, and decide where I might be at the end of the day.

Unfortunately I'm a member of a small and shrinking minority. It would appear most boaters plan their cruises far in advance these days. I'm only glad I got to live in a time when there was still some spontaneity allowed.

I also try not to reserve too far ahead. Sometimes I'll book a few days ahead depending on the place and how sure I am we'll get there when I expect to. Other times I haven't been as picky about where we're staying so I've called a marina during the day (or even after we're within VHF range) to see if they have a spot for us.

The good marinas are pretty responsive even to Dockwa so booking on short notice is fine unless it's somewhere that's likely to be full.

 

[kthoennes]

Coincidentally we got a letter in the mail today that MarinaLife has also declared bankruptcy.

 

[CaptTom]

Looks like MarinaLife is the same company as SnagASlip. Their web sites are both still on line, and both list the same physical address. MarinaLife links to SnagASlip, too.

 

[Shrew]

Dockwa has by far the most (almost universal) market share in our area. I'm sort of glad I don't have to have accounts on multiple apps just to see what's available.

Mine as well. The key is Dockwa focused its initial marketing at the Marina, not the end user. I don't like dealing with a 3rd party. However, increasingly the marinas I called were directing me to Dockwa. Dockwa's model was "Let us manage the booking of transient slips and moorings for you". It's not an uncommon model. Many municipal mooring fields are rented through a 3rd party. Nantucket Moorings in Nantucket, Old Port in Newport, etc. This is just moving the job to an online entity and taking the load off of the marina staff.

 

[CaptTom]

I never thought I'd say this, but Dockwa actually does a pretty good job at what they do. I'm still opposed to the whole concept of planning ahead of time where I'll be any given night, but if it's got to be done, Dockwa makes it as easy as possible.

I've seen the operation from both sides now, as my own home marina started using them and I was involved in the transition. Frankly it's set up pretty much exactly the way I would, if I were setting it up. I would like to see them go the way SnagASlip went, with private dock and mooring rentals, and listing non-participating marinas, maybe even anchorages. Yeah, those don't bring in much revenue, but providing the customer with one-stop shopping for voyage planning might actually bring in more business. Imagine what they could accomplish if they supported an ActiveCaptain-like experience, but with reservations thrown in.