Sailboats in a marina.

forrest · Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 10:01 pm Post subject: Sailboats in a marina.

I went by Shilshore Marina with hundreds of tied up sailboats yesterday and thought, it sure would be crowded out on the water if people actually used their sailboats. Most of the time that I do see a sailboat out and about, they are under power with their kicker motors rather than sailing. They're probably just people that haven't experienced a C-Dory yet.

hardee · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 1:03 pm Post subject:

PaulNBriannaLynn · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 1:12 pm Post subject:

At least in the PNW at least a third of them are used as inexpensive weekend and vacation homes and rarely if ever leave the slip. That's what I've seen hanging around the marinas at least.

Foggy · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 1:34 pm Post subject:

You, and others, might be surprised to learn a world class powerboat
manufacturer delivers "dozens" of their various sized yachts to customer's
marinas each year without engines. Yup, no motors in some motor boats.

Saves money.
Most 'permanent' slipped boats don't go far anyway.
Some just want to live on the water and not worry about weather windows.

It's all OK by me.
Fewer to get concerned about when I'm 'out there'.

Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "Landlubbers make it easier for the rest of us."

thataway · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 3:03 pm Post subject:

Here are a few "facts" from NMMA (National Marine Manufactures Association.

The average boat is used 28 days a year. Thirty two percent of Adults go boating at least once a year.

80% of boaters have an income of less than $100,000 year.

Our observations in Marinas in S. Calif, where I boated for 50 years, was that about 10% of the boats (both sail and power) go out regularly. Most often these were racing sailors, or cruising power boaters, as well as fishing boats.

It may be more noticeable that sailboats are in the marinas...because of the masts--but our observations were about the same for sail and power.

I have never heard of or seen a large vessel which was delivered without inboard engines--outboards--sure, because dealer installed. Foggy do you have documentation of the statement:

Foggy · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 3:26 pm Post subject:

Since I am not on trial, there will be no hard documentation
here from me.

The source of my comment came from a long time salesperson
from whom I bought my first motored motor boat some years back
from the mfg insinuated. I have no reason to doubt what was said
as why would he make it up (?) as it seems especially plausible after
the NMMA data you posted.

As I mentioned, "you might be surprised". Feel free to look into
this more if it interests you.

Aye.

thataway · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:07 pm Post subject:

Ah "salesmen"...Yes long ago I thought that they knew all about boating....Learned that less very early in life!

Foggy · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:24 pm Post subject:

Let's be nice now and not get personal.
Grandpa was a salesman after being in the Navy.
He told the truth(s) I sometimes pass on.

Aye.

thataway · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:27 pm Post subject:

Foggy not a thing personal there...just experience. If I cannot verify it, I don't believe it.

Foggy · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 5:20 pm Post subject:

What about Grandpa?

Aye.

South of Heaven · Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 7:31 am Post subject:

There are lots of sailboats in my marina. Some high end, exclusive brands and some older, almost derelict looking ones. Many of them go out. IMO it's easier for them to dock because usually they have narrower beams.

My neighbor here has a 50 foot Jeanneau but the beam is only like 11 or 12 feet. It's easy for him to slide in and out of his spot. Most 50' power boats will usually have 14 or 15 foot beam.

IMHO, MOST BOATS are being underused. Many boats in my marina are just condos and party spots. They never go out. I am a full time liveaboard and I go out about twice a week. Sometimes it's only for a quick ride but I always make a habit of doing it. Everyone told me that once you're a liveaboard you 'll stop using the boat. I think it's the opposite! I'm here everyday so I have more opportunities to use her. I also dont accummulate junk inside my boat. I am a neat freak and have no additional BS that I don't need onboard. Many liveaboards are hoarders and the inside of their boats look like a warzone. Not me

Foggy · Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:39 am Post subject:

What is the truth? What I experience and see? Do I see and know all?

Hardly. This gives us an opinion not fact(s).

While we see what we aim at and what we aim at is determined by our
values, we actually 'know' very little of what exists. We also see things
we do not understand, so how can we know what we see is truth?

Aye.
Mark Twain said, "It's not what we don't know that gets into trouble.
It's what we know for sure that just ain't so."
Grandpa would agree.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 12:14 pm Post subject:

Kinda like: you people who think you know everything are pissing off those of us who actually do. Twisted Evil

Most folks tend to think their way is the best (and smartest) way. Some think their way is the only way. While I think it is sad to allow a boat to become a derelict, I don't understand how someone's enjoyment of their boat at the dock affects anyone else.

The first three years we worked in Friday Harbor, we lived on our boat. We managed to take it out at least once a week, but that work stuff kinda got in the way of our free time. We saw many boats there that never left the dock; likely that some couldn't (although the marina had a policy that any boat in there had to have some means of propulsion). Some of those folks were live-aboards, some used their boat as a cabin on the water, and some seemed to have forgotten they had a boat there.

At some point, every boat there was "somebody's dream." Life is too short to not try to make your dream a reality. And also too short to fret about how someone else does it. Live and let live. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. You can lead a horse to water, but if you can make him float on his back, you really have something.

I could tell you about a boat dealer who made snarky comments about my choice of boat. It didn't affect me other than making sure I never do business with him again, nor recommend him to perspective buyers. Funny how things work out like that.

Enjoy your boat (and your choice of boat) any way that suits you. Very Happy

bobjarrard · Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 1:17 pm Post subject: Honey, where is the motor?

Now I do not see much difference between no motor and a motor that is not used or not usable. We see lots of houseboats here at Lake Mead with either no motors or motors (especially in-boards - dare I say Volvos?) that do not run. Also cabin cruisers in the same condition. We have a small farm on the California Delta and there are lots of "boats" up there with no functional power. I have sailed on more than a few larger boats where the main does not work and we have to use the kicker for all power purposes. In England there are many of the narrow boats that have marginal engines or none at all, you can actually drag the boat along the tow path in certain areas or push pole. Putting a Putt Putt outboard (especially in a "shame well enclosure") on the back of a large vessel will get you going with 10 hp and a Big Foot lower end in all but big wind/big tides, just not too fast. By the way, I know a ship and a boat thing as well as the line and rope and rode thingy but at 72, they are all boatsand ropes to me now.
Bob Jarrard
PS: If I come back to haunt you all as a used car/boat salesman it is because you deserve the abuse!!! (Just kidding - I love this site, no offense intended) BJ

Foggy · Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 2:24 pm Post subject:

BJ, I loved your post. After reading it, I too now recall functionless 'motor'
boats anchored as shack live aboard homes in the southern FL Keys - an
eyesore to most if you're down 'n out, you've got what you've got and you
deal with it.

Now you're approaching my age group (aka "senior") and humor level, we
may have to team up vs a few of these brat pollywogs and show'em our
grit; i.e., "they don't make'em like they used to". Besides it's fun to stir the
pot a bit. So please stay tuned in.

BTW, the "difference between no motor and a motor that is not used or not
usable" is: savings up front and -$$$ on the other end.

Aye.