Opions on dockage

C

cherokeeguy

New Member
Mar 13, 2008
101
St. Clair Shores MI
Boat Info
84, 270 Sundancer
Engines
454/TRS-II
I am looking for everyones opions on dockage i know it is all about what you want and how you boat but i am stuck between two different choices and would like to see what other boaters thought

First would be to stay were i am at now which so far has been a decent marina, it is not in the best of shape and they just added a bar on the water about 10 wells from me so the security is very lacking, major reason myself and boating friends chose the marina is it was about 1/2 the price of anywere else (800 a season) it is located on the southern side of the lake and about 2 mile drive from my house and aside from one swiming location about 12-14 miles from any decent swiming spots furture from others

Second choice would be to move to the marina that we generally go to for a transiet weekend, this marina is on the north side of the lake and about 4-6 miles from the majority of nice swiming locations on the lake aside from the far south side and about 10 mile drive from home, much nicer marina in terms of this would be considered a resort marina i guess (grass, parking pools, tennis courts, fire works etc (of which the current marina has none)) but this would run me about 2K a season

so the question is this do you spend more to have a marina that is closer and gives you more boat usage options such as different swiming and cruising locations as well as nicer marina if the just hanging out with out running the boat, or do you go with the cheap one and spend the difference in the gas tank getting to the areas you want to swim and boat, all while having to use the boat do to not haveing a nice hang out area at the marina.
 
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Assuming the cheaper location is safe, I would opt for cheaper and closer to home. I do not go to the marina to play tennis. I would perfer to ride the extra miles on the water to the swimming holes than riding further in the car.

John
 
I would see how it goes with the bar. There is no point saving a little money if you are going to be annoyed by loud partying or tresspassers. If you still have an enjoyable time where you are then the added ammenities of the more expensive slip don't mean squat. Security would be my main concern. Beyond that I would rather spend more time cruising than sitting at the slip.
 
I myself would spend the extra for nicer amenities if fuel was cheap maybe stay but where as fuel is going up to have the option of hanging in a good place is a plus I pay 3800 a season but includes power water cable and nice amenities centrally located on the lake cutting my destination cruising to good swim locations in half so it works for me
Just my 2cents
 
You made no mention of the people in either marina. Which has the nicer group? This would be an important consideration along with cost and driving distance. If both have eqully nice folks then I would opt for the nicer one. $1,200 translates into only 1.2 boat dollars.:huh:
 
mainstream said:
I myself would spend the extra for nicer amenities if fuel was cheap maybe stay but where as fuel is going up to have the option of hanging in a good place is a plus I pay 3800 a season but includes power water cable and nice amenities centrally located on the lake cutting my destination cruising to good swim locations in half so it works for me
Just my 2cents
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Where in Lake Winny are you? We stay at Weirs Beach every August and love it!!
 
As far as people in the marinas i cant say there are bad people in my current marina and i do have a group of 5 close friends that all dock there but we would be moving together, the current marina is more of a people show up go on the water come back and leave, were as the more expensive one people go to the marina to spend the week or weekend, they have block partys group meals, every saturday they setup a drive in movie screen and play cartoons for the kids, that sort of stuff also most of the poeple i grew up wiht in my parents boat club own wells there. Anouther point is staying on the boat over night at the marina, not sure how many poeple do that bit as i have two small kids and literally no were but the boat to hang out in the current marina (pass though road is directly infront of our well) the wife said no to staying over night unless we drive to a better marina, think with the nicer one she would be open to just crashing there sometimes
 
Both Marinas have good points and not so good points. The unknown is how the addition of a Bar may change things that would be my main concern. When I chose a Marina I was looking for more than a parking spot. I was willing to spend the extra $$ for more amenities, cleanliness, activites and security. But that's just me years ago when I chose my first wet slip it was 100% based on money. Circumstances change and peoples wants and needs are different. By us telling you which one we'd choose wont help you much.
 
It's always nice to be in a place where you feel comfortable just hanging out and bonding with your boat. Between the price of gas and busy schedules it's not always practical to go for a ride but you still want to be on the boat.
 
cherokeeguy said:
As far as people in the marinas i cant say there are bad people in my current marina and i do have a group of 5 close friends that all dock there but we would be moving together, the current marina is more of a people show up go on the water come back and leave, were as the more expensive one people go to the marina to spend the week or weekend, they have block partys group meals, every saturday they setup a drive in movie screen and play cartoons for the kids, that sort of stuff also most of the poeple i grew up wiht in my parents boat club own wells there. Anouther point is staying on the boat over night at the marina, not sure how many poeple do that bit as i have two small kids and literally no were but the boat to hang out in the current marina (pass though road is directly infront of our well) the wife said no to staying over night unless we drive to a better marina, think with the nicer one she would be open to just crashing there sometimes
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I'm not sure what the dilemma is then. Crappy marina with nothing to do, or nice marina with tons to do. hmmmm, let's see which one I would choose....
 
Our Marina/Boat Club is mostly 45 and up. A few young couples and some children. We have all our cruisers on one end and all the ski/tubing/fishing boats on the other. Drinking is only allowed on the boats and not on club property. We really have no issues with alcohol on the cruiser end. The younger crowd does drink a bit more but is respectful to other members. If you cause a problem.....one warning and your out the next time. We have a 15 Member Board that is very fair with ages from 35-80. I dock to boat....not boat at the dock. Try staying close to home, Mike.
 
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