Cheap slip/dock in the Caribbean

[Godiche]

What I really miss in here are replies from 'alternative boaters'.
All the remaining freaks of the 70's and 80's who don't fit in the category of being 'the average dude' in here.
But my guess is, most of them won't feel very comfortable in here...
I just picture these people to know even better where to find what I/we desire when it comes to cheap mooring etc.

[Godiche]

Overwhelmed, wow.... what did I say that I get so much support now or is it just bec of the weekend?

I love it!

[Nicholson58]

We do cheap in the Caribbean. It’s a 54 kilo Rocna. We never stay in marinas and only rarely on a mooring. Most moorings can be taken at zero cost for the day as long as you leave before 5:00 PM. If you stay in the hurricane zone June to November then stay with your boat. Move to safety if a storm heads your way. There are anchorages on many, not all Caribbean islands, that offer high hills and protection from all directions. Faulmouth, Antigua is one. Rodney BY, St Lucia, another. Moorings and marinas are not cheap over the long haul. That is just fact. Prices are only slightly less than US. Cost of operation, infrastructure, electricity, water are all real numbers based a lot on the cost of goods from first world countries and the high cost of energy in the islands.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Godiche

What I really miss in here are replies from 'alternative boaters'.
All the remaining freaks of the 70's and 80's who don't fit in the category of being 'the average dude' in here.
But my guess is, most of them won't feel very comfortable in here...
I just picture these people to know even better where to find what I/we desire when it comes to cheap mooring etc.

You would be wrong and know it if you spent any time in here getting to know some members.

[theDangerz]

Originally Posted by Godiche

I don't know, depends on the perspective hi?
I'll give you and all the others here an example.

I had a girlfriend in the Philippines for 3 years.

And now you tell me that you pay almost 1000 bucks for some square-meters of seawater with a pole it.

Funny... and like I said... all a question of perspective.

So your point is that the value of a dollar is different in different countries?
Okay... and if you were asking for prices of a slip/docking in the Philippines it may be cheaper (or maybe not), but that's not what you're asking.

The Caribbean islands have been frequented by yachts from NA for decades and have adjusted their prices accordingly.

Their price isn't a matter of perspective, its a matter of fact - because they get to set the prices, and because others are paying it whether you choose to or not.

If your perspective is that it's too high, then you have 3 choices:
- Don't come to the Caribbean!
Odds are you're also not going to be thrilled when you arrive and learn the price of goods, groceries, shipping/duties, checking in/out, etc
- Go to the Caribbean and simply do what the rest of us have been doing - drop anchor instead!
- Buy your own beachfront property on one of these island, spend the millions to build a marina and then charge whatever you'd like for the slips to prove to all of us that the other marina's prices were inflated. Oh wait... if you hate the price of a slip, your mind will blow when you look at real estate.

or I guess just stay home and spend your time online getting angry at other cruisers for offering direct and correct answers to your questions...

[theDangerz]

Originally Posted by Godiche

Why is that?
I belong to the coolest guys in here... even being a cheap <censored>

Why??
You joined the forum less than 10days ago (Welcome!!)

and then:
- Started a thread asking for crew for a September passage to the Caribbean (while insulting possible crew) - no replies
- Started a thread trying to sell some sails (while breaking forum rules) - no replies
- Started threads trying to buy an anchor/receiver - no replies
- Replied to a couple threads complaining about boat prices and dock prices
- Posted in a few separate threads bitching about (and insulting) the owner of a boat you decided not to buy because it was more money/more work than you had in mind.

- Then spent the rest of your 10 days on this thread insulting people for legitimate answers your question because you don't like the facts about prices (despite those people not setting prices)…

Sounds to me like you’re off to real a bang-up job as a member of the cruiser community!

[weavis]

Closed while the admin decides what to do.

[JPA Cate]

A number of posts have been removed due to not following CF's posting rules, or quoting deleted posts. The thread is now re-opened.

Ann

[Dsanduril]

Originally Posted by Godiche

What I really miss in here are replies from 'alternative boaters'.
All the remaining freaks of the 70's and 80's who don't fit in the category of being 'the average dude' in here.
But my guess is, most of them won't feel very comfortable in here...
I just picture these people to know even better where to find what I/we desire when it comes to cheap mooring etc.

I think you’ll find there are actually a fair number of these folk here. They mostly don’t do marinas. Swing at anchor, or set their own mooring (temporary or permanent), or if they have people skills scrounge up some arrangement with someone who has a dock or mooring. The outliers might get some work at a marina in exchange for berthing.

[theDangerz]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

I think you’ll find there are actually a fair number of these folk here. They mostly don’t do marinas. Swing at anchor, or set their own mooring (temporary or permanent), or if they have people skills scrounge up some arrangement with someone who has a dock or mooring. The outliers might get some work at a marina in exchange for berthing.

100% true.
There are certainly cruisers in the Caribbean who spend ample time in marinas or on the ball, but the vast majority (by far) are those of us trying to live affordably as possible (or cheap if that's the term preferred by OP).. which means 90% of us spend all our time anchored for free.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by LLCoolDave

Rio Dulce, Guatemala isn't too far off in cost. For a 36ft boat I paid $225 a month plus electric. Electricity is a bit expensive there.

The Rio is a very affordable option, no hurricanes either.

And yes most marinas jack up electrical cost (not just on the Rio).

You can find even less expensive dockage there. For example, Catamaran Island used to run incredibly cheap rates, and there you have loads of amenities too. I dont know their current rates, but worth checking.

Some individuals also rent out dock space/moorings at favorable rates.

[hpeer]

When in Caribbean we don't do marinas, or moorings if avoidable. Some places, like the Saints or Union Island, moorings may be the only option. But they are the exception. We have a very big anchor so we can feel comfortable when we anchor.

For what ever reason we just don’t like marinas much.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Godiche

Which I don't understand.
85% of the countries in the Caribbean Sea are 3rd or in the best case 2nd world countries with monthly wages of 2-400 USD or even less. Probably too many 'rich Americans' (arguable) out there flashing wades of cash?


Wiping out the nice, south African's reply with a hand-stroke is not very kind to do some 'virtual attacking' here. GUILTY!

Nearly 100% of those renting slips are not from the host country, so the market economics are not the same.

[belizesailor]

You can also find inexpensive moorings/marinas in Panama, but not at the mainstream marinas. Im currently storing my boat (35' catamaran) for $210/month in Bocas del Toro. The mainstream marinas there are more than 2x that.

If you are looking for the "alternative" crowd living cheap on the hook there then check out Portobelo, Linton Bay, and Bocas del Toro.


Thinking about this further: if you are looking for "inexpensive" then head for the W Caribbean.

[Tonali99]

I ani't telling ...