Dinghy and Marina's

J

Jeanie P

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Joined
Jun 19, 2007
Messages
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C Dory Year
2006
C Dory Model
22 Cruiser
Hull Identification Number
CD022378A606
Vessel Name
Jeanie P - sold 11/08
Do most marina's charge a fee when you use your dinghy and tie up to their dock? Is there a time limit for any free dockage?
What is the protocol for getting permission? Thanks

Allan
 
I can only speak to my experiences in the northwest but most of the larger marinas here have a dinghy dock where you can tie up for free but I usually tell the marina staff as a courtesy. I have even had the free dinghy dock use apply to my 16' in some cases.
 
I just got off the phone with three marinas in South FLorida for later this month... The going transient fee in season seems to be 2 bucks a foot per night...
Out of three I polled, one would not allow our dog (15 pounds and does not bark).. None would allow me to do my own launching and started mumbling about liability (1 did not have a ramp)... (the insane court system is killing this country)
All three allowed the dingy tie up with no fee if you are a customer - but none of the 3 allowed you to use their dock at all if you are not a customer - again they cited liability...

We may use the public boat ramp and do a bit of day sailing and pull the boat at night. or we may anchor out behind the island just off our place on Lemon Bay (depending on the winds).. I might even rent a night or two and their dock... We shall see how it works out...

Yes, I can afford the 2 bucks a foot - I'm just cheap and would rather blow a half of a C note on something other than 8 hours at someone's dock...
 
we bought the 27 so we would be more comfortable on anchor and I could stop paying for a dock all the time. Susan was not into the idea and thought going to shore would be a hassle but after last summer we both learned how good it is to be on the hook. No buddy walking by the boat all hours of the day or night. I sleep better on the hook then at the dock. with our dinghy and 3.5 hp motor getting to shore for dog walks or even showers is easy. There is always a dinghy dock and if you are coming in for a shore or to buy stuff then you are a customer. never been turned down yet.
 
Agree with Tom, We love to anchor and never have any trouble in the dinghy unless you are simply surrounded by private residential property in some remote cove. I can think of a few. Marinas want you there becuase they know you have a wallet and heck in the winter, they are just plain lonely and happy to chat.

When planning a night at anchor, it's good to do a bit of research to see if there is a public dock, park, marina, or boat launch that you can use for dinghy landing. There is normally at least one of those things relatively close to any decent civilized protected anchorage.

If its un-civilized, there isn't much to research or worry about.
 
I would rather anchor out and dinghy in than tie up to a busy dock. The only place that wanted to charge us a landing fee was Otter Bay on Pender Is. The kid on the dock let us tie up for a short visit w/o paying the fee.
BTW, Otter bay is a nice quiet marina with clean facilities. There is a small marine park within dinghy distance that is well worth the visit.
 
Denny-o,

We ran into dinghy dock fees (usually $5/day) at Marathon and Key West while in the Keys. That was 3 years ago, so the price or policy may have changed. We've seen that in other places, but often had it waived if we were having lunch at the marina.

I consider it like parking a car - some places charge for that. If I can anchor out for free and only have to pay $5 at the dinghy dock, that doesn't seem unreasonable... especially if I can get a shower or fill a water jug while at the marina.

At Bahia Honda, you could anchor outside their protected marina area and dinghy in for free. At other places in the Keys, we just dinghied to shore (no dock).

We saw prices up to $4/ft plus electricity and water when in the Keys. $2 was a bargain there.
 
I agree Jim... I don't consider $2 a foot to be excessive in season... They have a fixed number of in season nights to rent out the spaces to cover the overhead for the year... Much like stores that depend on the Christmas shopping season to get them out of the red ink they run the rest of the year...
 
Levitation":2zhe5m3o said:
I agree Jim... I don't consider $2 a foot to be excessive in season... They have a fixed number of in season nights to rent out the spaces to cover the overhead for the year... Much like stores that depend on the Christmas shopping season to get them out of the red ink they run the rest of the year...
Click to expand...

I was very pleasantly surprised at the cost of slip rental in the PNW, my favorite being Bellingham at 50¢ a foot for transients (3 night maximum), including power and water! Those people have their priorities right! Of course, the FREE spots on the wall that many communities along the Erie Canal provide is hard to beat.

When we're out for any length of time, we prefer anchoring, but it sure is convenient for shopping, laundry, and a nice meal out to get a slip. While that gets pricey in some places (like the Keys or NYC), when you spread that out with free anchoring, it helps. At No Name Harbor near Miami, they charge you to anchor. :roll:

It's nice to be able to haul these boats around to experience the variety. :D
 
Jim, I agree that when you look at it as a "parking fee" it doesn't seem to be unreasonable. I was just wondering about how prevalent this charge was. As most of you have linked the dinghy use and the pleasure of anchoring out, it was why I posted.

Although I don't have the Jeanie P anymore, , I'm here every day lurking and soaking up all the great info so when the time comes to get back on the water, I will be ready. Thanks.

Allan
 
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