My own little survey..

Flylady · 03-10-2009, 08:30 PM

While not a problem I have to deal with, it seems to me that at this time of the year slip rentals are holding their prices...but if you could wait until Memorial day or later it would seem to be a better business decision for the dock companies is to rent the slip at a discount than not at all. I would be up front and ask for a discount.

Lakesrider · 03-10-2009, 08:42 PM

Well, I think you should just buy my boat slip (Number 29)at the Quayside Yacht club. It is only $129,000 with a 28' boat included. You can see my boat in the driveway on Oberdorf St....1st house on the right!

End of selfish plug....

secondcurve · 03-10-2009, 09:54 PM

Slip prices aren't falling? The slip I rented two years ago at Quayside for $3,100 was recently advertised in the classifieds in this forum for $2,400. Prices held up by and large in 2008, but this year they won't be as stable. The trend is clearly down. The only positive for slip rentals is falling gas prices.

Last year on this forum we were debating whether the economy was in a recession and some folks were able to make a good case that perhaps it wasn't. This year the talk coming from every media outlet is whether the US economy is moving into a depression. While it hasn't been true for a long-time, it is certainly true today that the slip renter has the power over the slip owner. Don't be afraid to use it.

Slip owners looking to rent in 2009 will be more motivated to cut prices early. If I were you I'd give up my existing spot if your marina isn't open to reductions and then pounce on someone who is stuck with a slip in May. Winnipesaukee will feel the economic crunch this year....retirees and second home owners are especially exposed and some of them will be looking to rent slips at any price.

The Eagle · 03-12-2009, 09:23 PM

Well I just got my slip fee for 2009. Forget about a break! The rate went up to $131 a foot, with nothing to offer! (no store, no real bath rooms, poor parking, exremely high gas) Looks like I'll be trailoring or not using it at all. Keep your eye out for my boat in the Classified!

jrc · 03-13-2009, 07:48 AM

The reductions are hitting the small owner earlier and harder than the large marinas.

Think about it. If you have 100 slips rented out for $3000, you can make $300K. Now if you leave 10 empty you still make $270K. If you lower your rate to $2500 and fill all the slips, then you only make $250K.

Now if you only own one or two slips to rent out and no one is calling at $3000. You have a choice of $0 or lowering your price.

So look to condo based marinas, where there are many owners competing for you business. The big guys will just ride out the downturn with a few empties rather than erode there perceived value.

momof3 · 03-13-2009, 09:53 AM

Eagle,
That just stinks....When we got our bill last year the increase was of course blamed on the oil prices, gas, heating their buildings, etc... they included a letter with the rate increase stating it was for those reasons. The big joke this year was will we get a letter stating the prices went down because fuel went down, etc...no such luck, however the prices did stay the same so we're good, I guess?!?!

The Eagle · 03-14-2009, 07:29 AM

JRC ..True, he would get more $ by keeping it high and only loosing the 10, BUT..he'd loose the money for "Spring Launch," which is usually a few hundred, plus the oil change, and tune up's, and the gas he'd sell, and goodness knows the maintainence and service on those boats as well. Then there's 10 less to winterize, shrink wrap and store for the winter. Sometimes in business you have to look at the big picture and not just the quick easy buck. Too many marina's look for the quick buck, and forget about what comes along with the service. Most slip owners are very loyal to their marina when it comes to service. That's a lot of money to kiss off!
"The Eagle"

NonVoting Taxpayer · 03-14-2009, 08:28 AM

Eagle
Since you have been a long time slip renter, why not go over and talk to the owner or the mechanic about your prediciment. You might find out the almighty dollar may not be the bottom line in their business. Long time loyalty may also come into play.

TomC · 03-14-2009, 09:17 AM

..is that people talk. If someone finds out that the guy next to him is paying less, what's the first thing that he does? Heads to see the owner/manager to ask 1) why he wasn't given the same rate? and 2) when can he expect a refund? Then the stampede starts....

Its better to have a formal "loyalty" program or discount for repeat customers so this kind of thing doesn't happen.

It has to be tough to know what to do with the rates in these cases. You know that the waterfront taxes surely didn't decline, the staff wants a raise (though its possible to freeze wages for a little while - til everyone quits), permits/fees for hazmat permits keep going up, and so on.

I looked into starting/buying a Marina and with waterfront going for $3-$5K per foot to buy (and 1-2% per foot per year tax bill) there really isn't any money in it...

jrc · 03-14-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Eagle

.... That's a lot of money to kiss off!
"The Eagle"

Good point, the math is different in a full service marina. Lots of variables in the boat business.

Kerk · 03-14-2009, 09:48 PM

I paid for my slip as an Island person and will till I sell the place! $$$$$$$ is killing it . JMHO:

03-10-2009, 08:30 PM	#1
Flylady Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: So. California & Lakes Region Posts: 256 Thanks: 225 Thanked 106 Times in 61 Posts	Waiting to ask.. While not a problem I have to deal with, it seems to me that at this time of the year slip rentals are holding their prices...but if you could wait until Memorial day or later it would seem to be a better business decision for the dock companies is to rent the slip at a discount than not at all. I would be up front and ask for a discount.

03-12-2009, 09:23 PM	#4
The Eagle Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Burlington MA & Moultonboro NH Posts: 218 Thanks: 17 Thanked 142 Times in 33 Posts	2009 Slip fee Well I just got my slip fee for 2009. Forget about a break! The rate went up to $131 a foot, with nothing to offer! (no store, no real bath rooms, poor parking, exremely high gas) Looks like I'll be trailoring or not using it at all. Keep your eye out for my boat in the Classified!

03-13-2009, 09:53 AM	#6
momof3 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Methuen, Mass Posts: 25 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	That Stinks Eagle, That just stinks....When we got our bill last year the increase was of course blamed on the oil prices, gas, heating their buildings, etc... they included a letter with the rate increase stating it was for those reasons. The big joke this year was will we get a letter stating the prices went down because fuel went down, etc...no such luck, however the prices did stay the same so we're good, I guess?!?!

03-14-2009, 07:29 AM	#7
The Eagle Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Burlington MA & Moultonboro NH Posts: 218 Thanks: 17 Thanked 142 Times in 33 Posts	Penny wise pound foolish JRC ..True, he would get more $ by keeping it high and only loosing the 10, BUT..he'd loose the money for "Spring Launch," which is usually a few hundred, plus the oil change, and tune up's, and the gas he'd sell, and goodness knows the maintainence and service on those boats as well. Then there's 10 less to winterize, shrink wrap and store for the winter. Sometimes in business you have to look at the big picture and not just the quick easy buck. Too many marina's look for the quick buck, and forget about what comes along with the service. Most slip owners are very loyal to their marina when it comes to service. That's a lot of money to kiss off! "The Eagle"

03-14-2009, 08:28 AM	#8
NonVoting Taxpayer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 98 Thanks: 3 Thanked 24 Times in 10 Posts	Talk to the Owner Eagle Since you have been a long time slip renter, why not go over and talk to the owner or the mechanic about your prediciment. You might find out the almighty dollar may not be the bottom line in their business. Long time loyalty may also come into play.

03-10-2009, 08:42 PM	#2
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Well, I think you should just buy my boat slip (Number 29)at the Quayside Yacht club. It is only $129,000 with a 28' boat included. You can see my boat in the driveway on Oberdorf St....1st house on the right! End of selfish plug....

03-10-2009, 09:54 PM	#3
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,128 Thanks: 1,348 Thanked 564 Times in 291 Posts	Slip prices aren't falling? The slip I rented two years ago at Quayside for $3,100 was recently advertised in the classifieds in this forum for $2,400. Prices held up by and large in 2008, but this year they won't be as stable. The trend is clearly down. The only positive for slip rentals is falling gas prices. Last year on this forum we were debating whether the economy was in a recession and some folks were able to make a good case that perhaps it wasn't. This year the talk coming from every media outlet is whether the US economy is moving into a depression. While it hasn't been true for a long-time, it is certainly true today that the slip renter has the power over the slip owner. Don't be afraid to use it. Slip owners looking to rent in 2009 will be more motivated to cut prices early. If I were you I'd give up my existing spot if your marina isn't open to reductions and then pounce on someone who is stuck with a slip in May. Winnipesaukee will feel the economic crunch this year....retirees and second home owners are especially exposed and some of them will be looking to rent slips at any price.

03-13-2009, 07:48 AM	#5
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	The reductions are hitting the small owner earlier and harder than the large marinas. Think about it. If you have 100 slips rented out for $3000, you can make $300K. Now if you leave 10 empty you still make $270K. If you lower your rate to $2500 and fill all the slips, then you only make $250K. Now if you only own one or two slips to rent out and no one is calling at $3000. You have a choice of $0 or lowering your price. So look to condo based marinas, where there are many owners competing for you business. The big guys will just ride out the downturn with a few empties rather than erode there perceived value.

03-14-2009, 09:17 AM	#9
TomC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 731 Thanks: 27 Thanked 123 Times in 80 Posts	the problem with a special deal.. ..is that people talk. If someone finds out that the guy next to him is paying less, what's the first thing that he does? Heads to see the owner/manager to ask 1) why he wasn't given the same rate? and 2) when can he expect a refund? Then the stampede starts.... Its better to have a formal "loyalty" program or discount for repeat customers so this kind of thing doesn't happen. It has to be tough to know what to do with the rates in these cases. You know that the waterfront taxes surely didn't decline, the staff wants a raise (though its possible to freeze wages for a little while - til everyone quits), permits/fees for hazmat permits keep going up, and so on. I looked into starting/buying a Marina and with waterfront going for $3-$5K per foot to buy (and 1-2% per foot per year tax bill) there really isn't any money in it...

03-14-2009, 09:48 PM	#11
Kerk Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 87 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Vaporlock I paid for my slip as an Island person and will till I sell the place! $$$$$$$ is killing it . JMHO:

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