To moore, or not to moore, that is the question

Thanks to everyone for their replies. They were all very useful, interesting to read and appreciated. The response was overwhelmingly in favor of using a slip if one is willing to accept the costs of rent and maintenance.

With your feedback I've decided to rent a slip that will be just a few miles from my house. I am looking forward to having easy access to the boat in the water.

I have no doubt that I'll tow the boat on some trips, too! But, easy access and ready-to-go is the winning combination. For now.

Thanks again!
 
Also, on the flip side of keeping the boat in a slip - you can pull it out, load it up and head out anywhere, anytime you wish! I pull mine several times a year to go to the East, South, or West coast, or just to hit a winter striper season. So, using a slip certainly does not limit your mobility.

John
 
I have to decide how to move my new Tomcat but with my previous boat I too would tow it to different areas about 5 times a year.

For the ease of exploring a new area and maintenance I would always want a trailerable boat.
 
Hi Brats

If you keep your boat in the water it is going to need more maintenance and the trade for accessability may be well worth it.

A hydro hoist is one way to reduce the maintenance and negative effects of being in the water all the time. It is like a trailer over the water. Once on the hoist you can flush motors and rinse off the salt and stuff. Plus because your vessel is elevated, you are safe from those who play bumpy boat.

Cost might be over $10000 for a system to lift a larger cdory. But in the long run it may keep your pride and joy always ready to use and beautiful and reduce time between repowers.

Safe boating
1tuberider
Jeff
 
A Hydro Hoist or a similar device is a great way to solve the stored in the water problem!

There are a couple of other brands, plus some that are less expensive that are air bladders that inflate after you position the boat over them. Dusty has one!

While it's true a new Hydrohoist can cost in the neighborhood of $10,000 for a TC 255, I see them that are suitable for a CD-22 here in Northern California used for $2000-$4000 all the time, slightly more for a CD-25. Catamarans with their special needs may be more. I've been offered one for as low as $1400!

Thee may be some interesting complications to using/owning/leasing one though!

My marina gets an extra $60 per month if you have a HydroHoist. The contract with the marina and/or the insurance issues involved may complicate the use of one. They have to be installed by bolting them to the slip fingers, so the marina may require a minimum time period be committed to before they will let you install one. Or they may actually require you commit to "buy" one from them, then they will lease it back to you for a minimum period after an initial down payment. The device would become theirs upon purchase, intensionly so, so that it won't be moved around a lot, requiring a lot of re-installation events. Usually they are installed by professionals or the marina crew. They can be unbolted and towed to a new site, though, and loaded onto and transported on a trailer as well. Don't plan on being allowed to install one yourself unless you have a private dock.

Cheers!

Joe.
 
I purchased my slip -- Skyline marina is divided into several associations, each which has its own dues, etc. (the next association east of me has its own yacht club and clubhouse, for example.) You buy and sell the slips much like a condo.

The other marinas in Anacortes are either owned by the Port (Cap Sante) or are privately owned in their entirety, and charge monthly rent or yearly lease.

I mention this because I am curious if condo-ized slips are a widespread concept.

Warren
 
I've got mine in a covered 25' slip for $95/month. I had to wait over two years to get it. Before then I bet I burned up at least that much fuel hauling the boat up to my house (1,100 ft. climb in 3 miles) during the busier months. It is also colder and wetter at my house despite there being a metal shed for it. This brings increased condensation & risk of freezing. During the salmon season, a guy can spend an hour in the launch line when putting in and again when pulling out. It makes for a long day. With no wait with the slip, there's more time fishing and it is easy to duck out quickly in the spring and fish for a coupla hours after work, or take my wife for a quick ride, something harder to do if the boat is at home on the trailer. Also, with a slip you have don't have to deal with the yahoos and jetskiers at the ramp who don't know what they are doing (like making everyone wait on them while they try to learn to back up or load their boat on the ramp or leaving ithe boat there, blocking the ramp while they go to find a place to park).

The hassle of a slip? You have to remember what is in your boat and carry what you need to it, instead of having the luxury of loading & unloading it at home. (I keep emergency gear - backup rods, food etc. onboard). Also, if your trailer sits unused, the bearings and light connections are more likely to rust/corrode. Boats in water experience more electrolysis, and, as mentioned before, if the pumps are removing rain or leakage water... they will run down. Mine has a solar charger on the roof which minimizes this. And, again, those moorage fees in the off season would buy a lot of gas during the time when most folks use their boats. But I use mine year round, partly because it is so convenient. C.W.
 
If your a fisherman and need to fish multiple fisheries (ocean, rivers, bay's) having the boat on the trailer at home is a must. If you would primarily use the boat near where you would moore it then the slip seems to be the logical choice.

I had mine in a "dry storage" facility for a while and it was nice to be able to call them up and have them put it in the water. I definately used the boat more but being an avid fisherman It was a pain to constantly go get the boat when I wanted to fish somewhere else.
 
" No bottom paint, no algae, no barnacles, no monthly fee. Frankly, I'd rather spend that slip fee on boat gas! "



Don't forget Rats, we had a 26 carver that was virtually ruined by them.
Bird crap, always a problem.
Spiders, ubiquitous where I had my boat.
Danger of other boats running into you. been there.
worrying over storms. ie keeping dock lines right, bilge pump working when power goes out...ect..ect..ect.....
theft. been there also.
having to lug copious amounts of supply's down to the boat slip, what a work out.( we go out for days when we go out).

One of the main reasons for me getting a C-Dory was so I COULD trailer it.

Very nice walking out to my front yard to see and work on my pride and joy!


James
 
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