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Old 12-07-2021, 15:25   #1
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Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

There is a conglomerate marina ownership corporation that just won't stop buying marinas. Based in Dallas, Texas, this giant company started buying every marina on the east and gulf coast. As soon as the 2017 tac cuts gave them millions to spend on buyouts, all the local "mom & pop" local marinas became targets. Then after a year of advertising and making 'friends' with the communities, they started flipping the big switch.
Rate increases, contractor restrictions, increased insurance requirements and yes, live-aboard restrictions.
As a retired, but still working, navy veteran, I planned to continue living on my boat until I was physically unable. Then, this company outbid everyone around to take over management of a small, quaint, but popular municipal marina. After just 2 years, they decided to enforce a seemingly arbitrary policy of "no new live-aboards after August, 2020" . Funny thing is they decided to start enforcing this in April of 2021. I now have until August 1st, 2021 to " not live aboard". It's fine to keep my boat at the dock, they said. I just can't spend every night on it. I wouldn't have a boat this size if I wasn't living on it. Now, this disabled Navy Veteran will be homeless.
Yay corporate America!
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Old 12-07-2021, 15:41   #2
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

Sorry to hear about the unfortunate turn of events. It seems this is a common practice in the business world. Perhaps it may be a time to relocate?
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Old 12-07-2021, 15:57   #3
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

Sorry to hear that... is there a way you can stay on someone else's boat? What's the restriction? No 7 consecutive nights? Can you do 6 on, 1 off, 6 on, etc.? Can they really prove that you're a live-aboard? Maybe you just stay on your boat a lot

Again... sorry to hear that. Corporate America is such bullsh*t and we've all been screwed over by her. Maybe write a letter to local government explaining that you're a disabled vet?

If there's anything we can do to help... just let us know.

Good luck and let us know the outcome!!
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Old 12-07-2021, 16:03   #4
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

Has governmental policy have involvement in this issue? In my area, liveaboards are limited by regulation. (Am not aware citizens voted on this issue.)
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Old 12-07-2021, 16:30   #5
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

Normally I'm say you're out of luck, private company can set whatever policy they wish. But you said this is actually a municipal marina they are just managing? In that case, you can do a mini PR campaign in the municipality, talk to all the city council members, get an article in the local paper or at least on Nextdoor, try to make it viral locally...and at some point they might realize that grandfathering you in is the path of least resistance for them. Good luck!
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Old 12-07-2021, 16:36   #6
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

Was the purpose of marinas to provide low-cost housing or for boaters to stash their boats?
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Old 12-07-2021, 16:42   #7
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

Wait until they decide to build condos and include dock space for each unit. If you want dock space, you'll have to buy a condo.
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Old 12-07-2021, 16:42   #8
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

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Originally Posted by George_SD View Post
Sorry to hear about the unfortunate turn of events. It seems this is a common practice in the business world. Perhaps it may be a time to relocate?
I have a full time civil service job with a 20 minute commute. This company owns 90% of the slip spaces within 60 miles, north and south. Thanks for the feedback.
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Old 12-07-2021, 16:48   #9
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

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Was the purpose of marinas to provide low-cost housing or for boaters to stash their boats?
Nope. Who said low cost? The live-aboard fee alone is $150/month. $80 electricity and $13.50/ft. Then the boat payment. Not talking about the cost. Talking about arbitrary rules and owning the majority of slip spaces in the region. There's no competition to keep them from destroying the middle income boating community.
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Old 12-07-2021, 17:39   #10
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

Anti-trust legislation is probably your best hope. Sorry. It will be a big pita for you.

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Old 12-07-2021, 18:34   #11
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

There are 16 marinas within 25 miles of Beaufort. Perhaps you have far more options than you are aware of.

https://www.waterwayguide.com/direct...olina/beaufort
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Old 12-07-2021, 18:36   #12
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

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Was the purpose of marinas to provide low-cost housing or for boaters to stash their boats?
My marina is approximately $1000 USD per month... not including electric.

You can find a 1-bedroom apartment in a nearby town for about $600 a month, which includes electric.

No one ever said low-cost

I don't think a marina should dictate whether you are or are NOT allowed to live on your boat... as long as you pay on time and you don't have a mess around your boat and don't have a derelict boat that ruins the ambiance and atmosphere, then why can they say you can't live in the "parking space" that you paid for?
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Old 12-07-2021, 18:58   #13
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

I wish you the very best and I hope you find a better place to live.

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Old 12-07-2021, 19:06   #14
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke View Post
My marina is approximately $1000 USD per month... not including electric.

You can find a 1-bedroom apartment in a nearby town for about $600 a month, which includes electric.

No one ever said low-cost

I don't think a marina should dictate whether you are or are NOT allowed to live on your boat... as long as you pay on time and you don't have a mess around your boat and don't have a derelict boat that ruins the ambiance and atmosphere, then why can they say you can't live in the "parking space" that you paid for?
Where I live the local government dictates what percent of the tenants can be live on board. In my area living on board is alot cheaper than living in an apartment by 3-4 fold and unfortunately the live on board usually have the worse most unsightly boats. This is by no means a statement on the OP ...only what it is like in my marina. Most of us in the marina prefer not to have live on board and so not all the blame can be on corporate or government but the wishes of others who have there boats there.

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Old 12-07-2021, 21:39   #15
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Re: Monopoly marina ownership makes disabled veteran homeless

And how do they plan on enforcing this?

Spend a night or two a week on the hook.

Fight these ********. They bought out my local marina too. Did a few things to make it look more boujee, then cranked the prices up to 11. Lipstick on a pig for top dollar.

If all else fails, go to the media. Companies like this hate bad press, especially when it involves disabled individuals.
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