LKN Holiday Marina service rack use......

[CliffA]

we are going to start dry stacking our boat at Holiday Marina on Lake Norman next year...their normal season runs from March to March, but they offer winter storage as well for others....

i plan to do a few projects to my boat over the winter....i am trying to decide if i should bring it home on the trailer or store it at the marina....i like the idea of winter storage where the boat is out of the elements.....i think it would be worth the 1 hr drive to the marina to work on the boat...

my question to anyone that is familiar with the operations at Holiday is how often can i use the service racks at the marina to work on these boat projects?....do they operate the lift trucks and open the service racks during the winter?.....how long can i leave the boat on the service racks?......could i leave it on the rack for the entire WE?....

thanks....

cliff

 

[JimG]

From their website it appears that they have outdoor racks for cleaning/maintenance... they don't mention if there is a charge to move you to this area. It appears that they do operate in the winter.

Best to call them with your questions to be sure.

 

[CliffA]

Thanks Jim......will do.....

cliff

 

[jason78]

Have you priced out their wet slips? I have never been there but from the looks of it from the parking lot and water, it appears they have a social atmosphere.

 

[CliffA]

Have you priced out their wet slips? I have never been there but from the looks of it from the parking lot and water, it appears they have a social atmosphere.

hey Jason....no, i did not price out their wet slips...i want to get our boat out of the water when not in use since the bottom is not painted and i don't like the risk of it sinking if a leak develops while it is unattended.....

i agree that the atmosphere at the marina looks to be very social....and i like the fact there is a restaurant right next door.....

are you thinking about moving the 280 to Norman?

cliff

 

[jason78]

hey Jason....no, i did not price out their wet slips...i want to get our boat out of the water when not in use since the bottom is not painted and i don't like the risk of it sinking if a leak develops while it is unattended.....

i agree that the atmosphere at the marina looks to be very social....and i like the fact there is a restaurant right next door.....

are you thinking about moving the 280 to Norman?

cliff

If you decide to do a wet slip you could always get a boat lift. Let me know if you decide to go that route, I have a friend that covers the area lakes and sells all kinds of lifts. You can always sell the lift down the road when you get a larger boat. I have a feeling you will quickly wish you were in a slip when you see your boat coming out of the water on the forklift and look down the dock and see everyone out and about.

Doubt I will be moving the 280 up there. Main reasons are no covered slips within a reasonable driving distance (south end of lake) and not sure I can stand that commute as often as I go to the boat, even if I was on the south end. Also kind of feel at home where I am now.

Still want to try and catch up with you guys on LKN with the Whaler before it gets cold. I took it up there once in June and took my Mom out on the lake for the afternoon. Definitely like the lake and the restaurants!

 

[Dave S]

I don't know anything about the facility on Lake Norman. But I have used dry storage before with two of my previous boats and just thought I mention a few of my experiences that you might want to think about before you decide on rack storage.

You have to operate on their hours.
Your boat is handled many times a season and is more subject to damage as a result.
If you are not on top bunk, the boats above yours will drip on yours. (I had a guy with a leaky outdrive that dripped oil on my cover).
Diesel Dust from the fork lift exhausts will settle on your hull top sides and covers and it is not the easiest thing to remove.

 

[sdarc]

One thing to consider with indoor rack storage is that it can be dirty. Soot from the lift trucks, tire dust, other boats leaking, birds pooping and nesting. I did my 250EC for one winter inside. After that she and my next boat stayed in the water. Rack storage does have its perks. Call ahead and the boat can be in the water gassed up and ready to go when you arrive. When leaving you just take your stuff, get in the car and go home. If I'm lucky enough to have a next boat, it will be smaller and rack and trailer stored. Thinking center console. (Jason's Whaler :grin

 

[JimT]

I agree about the dirt. When I dry stored my 240SD I bought a cheap poly cover with an elastic hem that fit over the entire boat. It didn't fit great but well enough to keep the dirt off plus it was very easy to put on and takeoff.

I would check how Holiday handles call ahead drops. Both Westport and Kings Point have limited room for call aheads. On busy weekends you can wait up to 30 minutes to get your boat in the water.

 

[CliffA]

Thanks for the concerns about dry stacking.....all are valid points that i have thought about to some degree.....

this marina uses propane lift trucks so there is no soot from diesel engines to foul the boat during storage.....the dry storage building is completely closed in.....i don't know if this helps keep birds out or not....i do have a top rack (asked specifically for one) so i don't have to worry about leaking boats above me.....we have about an hour drive to get to the marina from our house, so if we call when we leave home hopefully that will be enough time to get the boat in the water before we arrive at the marina....possible damages from the lift truck handling the boat often is a real concern....i will have to monitor that very closely.....i have asked the marina manager about bringing the boat in after hours or possibly spending the night on the boat at the marina so we can use shore power to run our carry-on AC.....the manager said that woud be no problem....they have designated docks for transient boats that we can use in these cases....we just need to let him know ahead of time....

and we do need to try and schedule a day to get together before the weather gets too cold.....i'm not much of a social director so if anyone wants to try and set a date we will do our best to be there....

cliff

 

[bahamabreisus]

Can anyone recommend a dock builder on Lake Norman. My Mother in Law needs to replace hers. Thanks in advance

 

[jason78]

Can anyone recommend a dock builder on Lake Norman. My Mother in Law needs to replace hers. Thanks in advance

Yes, I will PM you the information. His work is top notch.