Electric Bills in VA Beach, VA

[Bluejacketjazz]

Are there any live aboards who are residing in Virginia Beach/Norfolk for most of the year? If so, do you have an estimate for what electricity would cost on average per month for a 38' to 40' sailboat if you are using air-conditioning? We've been told the electric company has a monopoly in that area and charges an arm and a leg. Our apartment dwelling friends were paying 300 a month and up for less than 1000 sqft apt. Maybe they turned it into a freezer, though.

We've been looking into a couple of marinas near Little Creek/Fort Story that state they are live aboard friendly. Where do you stay and how do you like it? Is there a marina we should avoid? We'll get an opportunity to check them out ourselves in a few months when we move and aren't planning to live aboard for a bit since we're still looking for a boat we like.

For anyone not in the area... Is it common for a marina to provide an estimate on average electric bills? We re brand new to this, so please forgive me if these are dumb questions.

Any thoughts are welcome.

[djmarchand]

Almost all marinas meter power and charge you for what you use. But that doesn't mean they charge you the utility rate. I have seen them mark it up 50%.

East Coast rates vary from a low of 10 cents per KW to over 15. It can vary a lot within a very small geographical distance. It all depends on your city and whatever contract they have with the local utility. Some are paying for expensive nuclear commitments in the past.

I am guessing that it will cost about $150/mo for July-Aug.

David

[Jado27]

If you have an active or retired military ID, I would call Norfolk Naval Sailing Center and ask if they have available slips and allow live-aboards. They claim all their amenties are included, and you know the military doesent care about electricty costs! Slips listed at $5.75/ft/month, check out link.

Telephone
Tel: (757) 444-2918

Address
Hughes Dr
Building #LAG 77
Cross Street: Moffett Ave
Norfolk, VA 23512

Hours
Winter Hours M-F 0800-1600 / Summer Hours Monday-Sunday 0800-1900

Base
Naval Station Norfolk

Website
https://sites.google.com/site/norfolknavalsailingcenter

Pricing for wet slips is as follows:
-Fixed Piers: $5.75/foot per month
-Floating Piers: $6.50/foot per month
-Overnight Docking: $1.50/foot per night
* Utilities Included!
We can accommodate boats from 19 to 48 feet in our slips. Transient boaters up to 96 feet and 10 foot draft!
Our Amenities include the following:

• 200 Protected DEEP water slips
• Free Wi-Fi Internet
• All Utilities Included
• Free ICE!
• Bath houses with SHOWERS
• Free Pump Out service
• Boat ramp with separate trailer storage
• Dinghy/tender storage rack (as available)

[Bluejacketjazz]

Wow! Thanks for the great information. We'll give them a ring.

[Bluejacketjazz]

Well, shoot. They don't. We can only stay onboard a max of 3 days per week.

[LauderBoy]

Originally Posted by djmarchand

Almost all marinas meter power and charge you for what you use. But that doesn't mean they charge you the utility rate. I have seen them mark it up 50%.

The issue isn't necessarily mark up. Marinas pay commercial rates and pass that onto you. Everybody seems to like to rip off businesses.

[sdowney717]

Consider Marina Cove boat basin right next to LAFB in Hampton.
Liveaboards pay about $150 per month, electricity is free. Water is well water.
This is your typical workman type marina with lots of deadrises plus sail boats and power boats. Has a very nice view looking out on the Back River. Marina owner is named Ehrlin. He hauls out any boat any condition with travelifts.
This is not a resort marina. Does have showers and bathroom and 2 rusty steel cranes.

Marina is right at the very end of Harris Creek road.
Must be at least 5 people living aboard there.
Place is mostly very quiet.
Has good storm shelter.
People there are definitely not upwardly mobile snob types.

I included a couple of google earth shots.

[jacob30]

Bay Point Marina/littlecreek. Just left there and it was about $340 for the slip for a 40'. About $50 average for electricity. Live aboards fee I think is $125. Very live aboard friendly and great little community there as well. Highly recommend!

[ohdrinkboy]

My dad used to keep his boat in littlecreek and liked it. Several boats were liveaboards. I believe it was baypoint. short distance out to the bay, and lots of seals (the kind with guns) on the other side of the harbor.

[Bluejacketjazz]

Thanks so much for all the information!