State Marine Parks Survey

DuckDogTitus · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 11:35 am Post subject: State Marine Parks Survey

they have a survey out regarding how to increase funding for marine parks. there are some interesting ideas.

http://www.parks.wa.gov/165/Boating-Fees

DuckDogTitus · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 11:37 am Post subject:

one thing they mentioned was two different seasonal/annual passes. one for unlimited use through the year, but with only 7 days of overnight use during the mem-lab day window. I thought that seemed too confusing and like a pain in the butt.

generally speaking I'm OK with an increase in daily fees though, I have always thought that the parks and marinas were surprisingly inexpensive considering the costs of boating!

potter water · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 7:51 pm Post subject:

Most of the "suggestions" are just creeping taxes and they will continue to go up without regard to user input. some of the suggestions about donations from private parties are good.

I'm not in your area, so have no oar in your water. In my area, where I do most boating, Powell, Yellowstone and the like, user fees are way too low. I would be happy to pay double. But I think the issue is that doubling the fees would limit some users. (I personally don't think so as I seldom see anyone who looks like they couldn't afford an extra 10 bucks per carload). If someone on welfare wants in, just have them show you their food stamp card and let them in for free.

I use my old guy passes at the parks and feel guilty doing it. Us old guys can afford the extra 10 bucks. Just look at what we paid in fuel to make the trip. The extra 10 for a week is nothing.

DuckDogTitus · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 10:06 pm Post subject:

regardless of the cost of my boat, I still had to maintain the motor(s). new plugs, oil, two impellers, so there's say $500 ish

Needed new tires. I got a sweetheart deal from a friend at Schwab, but still there's nearly $400. New Bearings, I can't recall what those were, maybe $300 for tandem axle. New cover this year, there's $300. Two 20 gallon tanks plus one 8 or so gallon tank, there's $200, plus additives, make it $225.

Drive two weekends ago to Pt Townsend, 100 miles at around 11-13 miles to gallon, each way, so lets say another $80 in fuel. I had figured I was around $2500 deep before my first cruise this year just in maintenance. When I show up to a state park and pay as low as $3 for a few hours to hop around the town, or $12 to overnight.... it just seems silly!

Don't get me wrong, part of me appreciates how inexpensive it is. It lets me splurge on boat maintenance and feel good about it knowing that the marinas are the cheapest part, but still....I guess when you appreciate something as much as I do, you are willing to spend more.

I like the idea of private sponsorships too. no reason why companies couldn't pitch in say $500-1000 to have their name on a plaque each year at any given park.

DuckDogTitus · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 10:08 pm Post subject:

ironically, I'm not likely to make token donations myself. I would rather be charged a set fee that I can assume is going to a specific allotment, then to pitch $5 to an unknown cause. Ironically, I WOULD be happy to have my business sponsor a site for say $500 per year. That I would feel good about. but making personal donations to government run facilities never really rubs me right.

Also, I'd be OK with a person on welfare getting free park use, sure. It would be a great way for a poverty stricken family to still get what I consider to be the best possible family time in. although I do find it odd to be on welfare and have a cruising boat.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:34 am Post subject:

In general, Washington State Marine Parks are among the best values going. A mooring bouy at $12 night regardless of boat size? Dock space at $0.60 a foot? An annual pass at $4 a foot? If they doubled these prices, they would still be good deals. These user fees are miniscule compared to all our other costs. Here is another little secret - State DNR mooring buoys are free. Then, again so is swinging on the hook. I hope the state figures out how to keep these amenities open!

1TUBERIDER · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 5:36 pm Post subject:

Be careful! Your wish may come true.

I did a trip to So Cal to pick up a surfboard and get away. Next time I will have the board shipped because

Day one I go to beach south of San Clemente cost $15 for day. I stayed all day and left in evening so I got money's worth but it used to be $5.

Day two I go to beach in Encinitas. $6 to park for two hours to surf. Next stop was back at prior days beach at 15:00 and it still cost $15 to park. I made the most of it and surfed Church trestles and got my money's worth but cost $21 to park that day.

If I could surf everyday I would but in So Cal I would go broke with parking fees.
I will never wish for higher fees. Some things should be free. It used to be free to park along Hwy 1 in Huntington Beach but now meters run the distance of the coast or you have to park in a pay parking lot. I find the other municipals are following Huntington Beach's lead.

I left after day two and went home. I spent over $500 in fuel and $200 in motel bills. Next time I will have the board shipped.