New to Boating

Bear Islander · 03-22-2014, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfitz

I have been at Sheps for the past 3 years and have nothing but good thing to say about them. I purchased my boat there ,I have it serviced there and store it there and get 90 percent of my fuel there. They only have 12 weeks of summer at best. So if your at that marina at a slip then you should utilize there services . It seems to me that most of the the marinas on the lake are all on the same page with there prices so why not stay faithful to the marina that your boat calls home.

This is my 21st season as a slip customer at Sheps. I have purchased 4 new boats there and give them all my storage and service. I have mostly good things to say about them. But when I buy a $40k boat from them and pay $3k a year for a slip, I think it is rude of them to tell me to get my 14ft aluminum skiff out of my slip because it was originally purchased a Y-Landing.

In their defense the slip contract clearly states you can't put ANY boat in your slip that is not specifically listed on the contract.

MDoug · 03-22-2014, 03:06 PM

It does seem that marinas hold boaters hostage on the lake. We need more of public docks and ramps imho.

Rich · 03-22-2014, 04:45 PM

BMAB,

Having done what you're thinking of doing just a couple of years ago, I'll also through in my thoughts.

Before we started, I had always wanted to get back into boating (I spent many weekends on a boat as a teenager). A couple of years ago we got an older 27 ft boat, that just the two of us slept on.

We spend EVERY weekend on the boat, renting a slip at one of the 'condo' slips in Gilford. We fell in love with the experience, but the Ms. got tired of crawling under things to get to the berth, and crawling back out if needed in the middle of the night.

So we upgraded to a 38 ft, newer (not new, but much newer) boat the following year. Now the experience is wonderful for both of us. The new boat has AC and HEAT (which we never thought we needed it until we have it).

The boat stays at the dock, so we just drive up and spend the weekends. IF this is what you want to do, don't think of trailering, it's just too much work. You'll spend half a day (on each end of the weekend) hauling the boat back and forth. So just rent a slip and leave the boat in all summer.

When you go shopping for your boat, get into and out of the sleeping berth a few times, with BOTH of you in the berth. Now imagine doing that with four of you on board. Even though our first boat had a wide beam (by 27ft standards, our beam was 9' 6"), we found that even with just two of us, we were always in each other's way when we were below deck. With the larger boat, we don't have this issue at all. Now imagine the four of you.

Also, there were days on the lake when I wouldn't want to be out in something much smaller than the 27' boat. Yes you could be out there, but it wouldn't be much fun.

Of course cost is a big deal as you go up in the size of the boat, so take your comfort into account, try to get something that will fit your family.

As JRC offered, you're also welcome to come by my boat and check it out if we ever see the ice melt this year (we're at the same club in Gilford).

Good luck with your choice and have fun shopping!

Oh, if you don't have it yet, take a boating class and get your NH boating 'licence', don't wait until the spring, or until after you find your boat as it will be too late then! You'll need it either way. And have your wife join you in the class so you can both have your license!

SIKSUKR · 03-24-2014, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

This is my 21st season as a slip customer at Sheps. I have purchased 4 new boats there and give them all my storage and service. I have mostly good things to say about them. But when I buy a $40k boat from them and pay $3k a year for a slip, I think it is rude of them to tell me to get my 14ft aluminum skiff out of my slip because it was originally purchased a Y-Landing.

In their defense the slip contract clearly states you can't put ANY boat in your slip that is not specifically listed on the contract.

Contract smontract. Thats crap. You paid for the slip. What the heck is the difference which boat you put there assuming its no bigger than the one you signed in?

Bear Islander · 03-24-2014, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Contract smontract. Thats crap. You paid for the slip. What the heck is the difference which boat you put there assuming its no bigger than the one you signed in?

For once we are in total agreement.

jrc · 03-24-2014, 04:19 PM

Well in a lot of places you need an insurance policy for the boat, to protect the club against damages. So in that case, they really should only allow you to dock the boat if they have proof of insurance. It doesn't take much to cause big damage in a marina full of expensive boats.

SIKSUKR · 03-28-2014, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

Well in a lot of places you need an insurance policy for the boat, to protect the club against damages. So in that case, they really should only allow you to dock the boat if they have proof of insurance. It doesn't take much to cause big damage in a marina full of expensive boats.

Fair enough. If proof of insurance of the other boat is shown there should be no problem. Especially a 14 ft skiff.

Descant · 03-28-2014, 12:51 PM

As I recall, your homeowners/tenants insurance covers small boats, canoes, etc. (less than 25 hp) automatically for liability, no extra charge or endorsement. Check it out.

SIKSUKR · 03-28-2014, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

For once we are in total agreement.

We agree on a lot more than you think BR. Don't let the past speed law debates cloud your judgement.

Carry on.

03-22-2014, 03:06 PM	#2
MDoug Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 343 Thanks: 116 Thanked 42 Times in 39 Posts	Slips It does seem that marinas hold boaters hostage on the lake. We need more of public docks and ramps imho.

03-22-2014, 04:45 PM	#3
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,247 Thanks: 74 Thanked 346 Times in 236 Posts	BMAB, Having done what you're thinking of doing just a couple of years ago, I'll also through in my thoughts. Before we started, I had always wanted to get back into boating (I spent many weekends on a boat as a teenager). A couple of years ago we got an older 27 ft boat, that just the two of us slept on. We spend EVERY weekend on the boat, renting a slip at one of the 'condo' slips in Gilford. We fell in love with the experience, but the Ms. got tired of crawling under things to get to the berth, and crawling back out if needed in the middle of the night. So we upgraded to a 38 ft, newer (not new, but much newer) boat the following year. Now the experience is wonderful for both of us. The new boat has AC and HEAT (which we never thought we needed it until we have it). The boat stays at the dock, so we just drive up and spend the weekends. IF this is what you want to do, don't think of trailering, it's just too much work. You'll spend half a day (on each end of the weekend) hauling the boat back and forth. So just rent a slip and leave the boat in all summer. When you go shopping for your boat, get into and out of the sleeping berth a few times, with BOTH of you in the berth. Now imagine doing that with four of you on board. Even though our first boat had a wide beam (by 27ft standards, our beam was 9' 6"), we found that even with just two of us, we were always in each other's way when we were below deck. With the larger boat, we don't have this issue at all. Now imagine the four of you. Also, there were days on the lake when I wouldn't want to be out in something much smaller than the 27' boat. Yes you could be out there, but it wouldn't be much fun. Of course cost is a big deal as you go up in the size of the boat, so take your comfort into account, try to get something that will fit your family. As JRC offered, you're also welcome to come by my boat and check it out if we ever see the ice melt this year (we're at the same club in Gilford). Good luck with your choice and have fun shopping! Oh, if you don't have it yet, take a boating class and get your NH boating 'licence', don't wait until the spring, or until after you find your boat as it will be too late then! You'll need it either way. And have your wife join you in the class so you can both have your license! __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

03-28-2014, 12:51 PM	#8
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,479 Thanks: 1,392 Thanked 1,667 Times in 1,086 Posts	Insurance As I recall, your homeowners/tenants insurance covers small boats, canoes, etc. (less than 25 hp) automatically for liability, no extra charge or endorsement. Check it out.

03-24-2014, 04:19 PM	#6
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	Well in a lot of places you need an insurance policy for the boat, to protect the club against damages. So in that case, they really should only allow you to dock the boat if they have proof of insurance. It doesn't take much to cause big damage in a marina full of expensive boats.