Slip Fees, What Gives With The Mystery?

[Fishigan]

Is it just me or is the only way to find out what a slip rental rate would be is to call or fill out a form? Google any rv resort in the country and the rates are posted for nightly, weekly, monthly and seasonal. But I have spent the last half hour trying to find rates for Michigan and St. Petersburg Fl and only found one marina with a published rate.

[Jammer]

Often the fee structure is involved, usually based on slip size and layout rather than boat size, and so the answer to questions like "how much will a slip for my 34' boat cost" varies depending on whether there are any 34' slips left or a 40' one has to be used, whether a tie-along or true slip, etc.


Cost is but one factor as services included, location, winter storage options, etc. vary widely. The serious marina customer is willing to take the time to discuss their needs and get an accurate quote.

[Nicholson58]

State docks in Michigan marinas should be findable. They charge by slip size, not boat length. Many Michigan marinas are private and only take transients piecemeal. We found many non marina docking opportunities in Lake Superior free such as municipal sea walls. Like parking at Walmart.

[Fishigan]

Gotcha, thanks for that input. That helps a lot. Just trying to figure out what a 36' SV would be to keep in Florida for 6 months.

[Danm1]

This drives me nuts. Seems like only about 10% of marinas post prices, meaning about 90% are living in the early 20th century. I do try to give my business to people who make it easy and efficient to do business with them.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by Fishigan

Gotcha, thanks for that input. That helps a lot. Just trying to figure out what a 36' SV would be to keep in Florida for 6 months.

Just visited friends there last month. Stay away from the Gold Coast, Miami - Ft Lauderdale. Gulf side is better but there is a waiting list most places. Leg work required.

[markpierce]

Published rates may be out of date. Best to call and also inquire of planned price increases.

[Fishigan]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

Just visited friends there last month. Stay away from the Gold Coast, Miami - Ft Lauderdale. Gulf side is better but there is a waiting list most places. Leg work required.

Good to know. We have been all over the southern half of Florida down through the Keys. Really like Gasparilla Island area and St. Petersburg area and Little Torch Key, and the list goes on...

[gonesail]

Agree. Just take a deep breath and publish the **** things. Oh I get it .. if you have to ask then we don't need you here anyway?

[4arch]

As much as I’d like marinas to be more forthcoming with their rates, I’ve concluded rate sheets not being present on marina websites probably has more to do with not having the staff to update the website than with trying to hide anything from customers.

[MicHughV]

slip fees are generally charged on a "per foot" basis.....ie, $20/ft.....so if you have a 20' boat, slip fees will be $400.....
Compounding this issue, is that some marina's charge by the slip.....ie, if you have a 36' boat, they will put you in a 40' slip...your slip rates will be based on the slip length...40'...
If your boat has a 6' bowsprit and a dink hanging in davits at the stern, these will all be added up.....ie, your 36' boat to the marina is a 46' boat.

Most all marina's have a "transient" per foot rate, which is substantially higher than your " yearly" rates, etc...

Catamarans almost always will be directed to an outside dock, at a premium "per foot rate.

Then most marina's add various and sundry other charges...." environmental fees and such like...
Having a " dockbox" will likely incur an extra charge.
Electricity can be a big bugaboo....some marina's will charge a set rate for single cord....35 amp....more for 50 amp service......whether or not you run an a/c all day appears to be moot.

"Liveaboard" rates can also be applied.

and don't forget sales taxes....

Diesel and gas at the marina will usually always be more expensive.. almost double...

At the end of the day, best bet is to call the marina and get the lowdown......

For your average 40' sailboat...monthly slip fees these days can be in the $1,000 range.

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by Fishigan

Is it just me ....

It's not just you. While it is true that there are many factors that can affect the price, it isn't that hard to have a basic rate sheet. Sadly, there are many marinas that don't but there are many that do.

Often it is laziness that causes this. One has to think and take some effort to post a rate sheet that makes sense. It really isn't that hard though.

[Phyrcooler]

Originally Posted by ArmyDaveNY

It's not just you. While it is true that there are many factors that can affect the price, it isn't that hard to have a basic rate sheet. Sadly, there are many marinas that don't but there are many that do.

Often it is laziness that causes this. One has to think and take some effort to post a rate sheet that makes sense. It really isn't that hard though.

+1

Not posting prices is just a way of making it harder to comparison shop - in any environment. Marina’s are just another example. Unfortunately, most don’t seem to care anymore. With a finite coastline, and an ever growing population, they’ve sadly got us over a barrel - in both price and service. This is why you’re seeing more corporate buyouts and marina’s being owned by “big business”. There’s profits to be made!

[vpbarkley]

What drives me insane is marinas not answering their email or online contact forms. As far as I can tell, none of them do. To get them to answer one of these you have to call them and ask them to read your message. This is difficult if you have difficulty speaking clearly on the phone, which is why you emailed them to begin with.

[MicHughV]

my take on the matter is that the boating scene....in general...is on the skids.....
most marina's charge around $4.50/gal for gas...when you are burning 15 plus gallons per hour, it starts to add up..

many fishing boats are kept in a drystack building....an easy $5-600/month for your average 24' fishing boat...

marina slip charges are pretty astronomical these days...at a rough guess...$1,000/ft for your average sized sailboat....and if you're making monthly boat payments......you're looking at $2,000/month...or more....for a vessel....that may ...or may not see much use throughout the year..

add to all that....Covid restrictions here and there.......

many marina's have converted to condo's...so available marina's are in short supply...and prices are going up as a result...

Where will it all end...and when....???...