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Jerry Culik's avatar

I suspect that slips and space on the hard around the Chesapeake are dear enough that most boats that are "abandoned" in a marina get removed, one way or another, before they can grow a tree or a garden. And if left in the water without a bubbler and a cover, ice and/or snow will eventually finish it off. Something to be grateful for? I have gotten some good deals on orphaned dinghies, and I know a guy who did very well by adopting a wayward Hunter 31 -- just for getting it out of the marina's hair. But the legal part -- getting the title to one of these boats -- is a major headache for the yards.

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Jeff Patrick's avatar

This situation is, indeed, sad. It is also, not a new issue. I clearly remember as a young teenager seeing many aging boats at the marina where my Dad kept our boat. This was early - mid 60's. They were at once fascinating to see and a little scary. But mostly it was simply sad to see these, mostly classic wood, boats so absolutely neglected. Never visited, and certainly not safe to go to sea on. More than a few times we'd arrive at the marina to see one of these boats sunk, sitting on the bottom, and still in the slip. It is certainly a wonder that so many people will pay to keep such a boat. But it's also a wonder how so many of us pay so much to keep our boats in tip-top shape when we know that they are a poor investment. Dreams manifest themselves in many ways.

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