To Slip or Valet, that is the question

[jbess]

Originally Posted by fpartri497

are there no lakes In CT?

Thanks for all the replies, Def. alot of different thoughts here. We will be talking to several places for the 2007 season and priceing things out when we come up in a week.

There is a decent lake here in CT, fpartri497, but it is 3/4 the size of Winnisquam with as many boats on it as Winnipesaukee My wife doesn't mind if we tow the boat back and forth, because I tend to drive more cautiously with it then whithout! (less of a whiteknuckle ride I guess?). Simply this, I am kinda disappointed with the lake here and would rather drive 3 hrs and enjoy myself. Now if only I could get my wife to warm up to the idea of moving up there...Hmmm

[hazelnut]

I guess for me personally "point contact" is a non issue. Trailering, racking, "point contact" is inevitable (winter storage/travel). To raise it as an issue when considering racking vs wet slip just seemed bizzare to me. I understand the science of it (didn't need it broken down thanks anyway). If damage is going to be done in the summer by racking, do you store your boat in the water in the winter? Won't that same damage occur in the winter?
So the non-issue comment on my part should have been clarified as IMO. I never thought twice about it due in large part that boats eventually end up dry docked at some point.

[NightWing]

Originally Posted by hazelnut

I guess for me personally "point contact" is a non issue. Trailering, racking, "point contact" is inevitable (winter storage/travel). To raise it as an issue when considering racking vs wet slip just seemed bizzare to me. I understand the science of it (didn't need it broken down thanks anyway). If damage is going to be done in the summer by racking, do you store your boat in the water in the winter? Won't that same damage occur in the winter?
So the non-issue comment on my part should have been clarified as IMO. I never thought twice about it due in large part that boats eventually end up dry docked at some point.

Yes, you are right as far as we can't slip year around, so some time is spent on a trailer or in a rack. I Did mention that. We can't get away from it.

The original question was which was better, racking or a slip. If your boat can be cradled naturally by water, 5 months out of the year, so much the better, INMHO.

[Just Sold]

There are obviously pro and cons to this but I enjoy the valet/rack as it is significantly cheaper on my budget. I rack a 22.5' cuddy and it works great for me.

Never had a problem having it ready when I wanted it. Sometimes it goes in as I am arriving but the guy's are always ready to get her in for me when I have not called ahead. I rack at Fay's

[lfm]

Just curious, is it customary to tip the personnel performing the valet service when one racks their boat?

[Just Sold]

Originally Posted by lfm

Just curious, is it customary to tip the personnel performing the valet service when one racks their boat?

This has been asked before a few years ago. Many people at that time said they did tip.

My opinion is if you get good service and attention to your needs then yes you should. How much and in what form is up to each individual and dependent upon the service you receive.

Remember if you want to be treated well then treat the people at your rack/ valet as you would want to be treated.

[LIforrelaxin]

Now I don't use a valet service, but my opinion on Tip would be based not only on the service but also on what I had to pay upfront for the service. If the service was ralatively cheap up front compared to ramp fees and gas for the rig to pull the boat, I would be inclined to Tip especially for good service. However if the cost was high, I would be less inclined to tip. Now the cost is also dependant on how much you use the boat.......If you are pulling the boat out of the rack.... more than once a week you probably want to think about a tip............

But that is just the way I look at it......and personaly I think to many people go around looking for tips these days..........a tip cup at McDonalds or Burger King is always a bit much.....(and yes I have seen this)

[Ken B]

Good thread. What about cost? No one has mentioned actual costs and availability of a slip vs valet. I'm too thinking about both but it may come down to cost. Also, one last point, if you're trailering the gas will be cheaper then what you pay on the water but perhaps that savings is negated by hauling the boat with the truck????

Ken

[jbess]

Hey Ken, a quick look @ the classified ads here will show anywhere from 1800 to 3000 for seasonal slip space. I have not looked at Valet services yet but was told it is about 1600-1800 when we bought the boat and asked what it was "roughly", so there seems to be quite a diff. in prices.