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.
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.
Marty, Yes, it's disguesting!!! And what I really can't comprehend are the owners (or families) who are still paying the slip fees? I know of one rather notable boat going down by the minute...and it's wood.
OMG these boats grow green stuff better than my lawn! Such a waste, such a sin. There are tons of people who would love a nice DIY boat. Sell, give away, do something before the boat becomes a wreck. Even a bare hull can be restored with effort, elbow grease, and a few bucks.
At least this reader has some interest in marina management, but would be more interested in learning more about the cleanup process, and even more interested in tips on how to pick out a salvageable gem from the burn pile.
In the winter storage area by the marina that I rent a slip from there are several abandoned boats. I may or may not have experimented with different waxes, compound and even sanding and wet sanding on a particular dark hulled boat. I may or may not have found that wood floor wax twice a season works about as well as anything short of a new gelcoat. That is if I actually did this !
Hey Marty, you can add the folks that don’t properly prepare for a hurricane or tropical depression that contribute to the woes and costs to those of us that understand proper seamanship. I have had my boats damaged twice by being dragged down on by unsuitably moored or anchored vessels. One only has to look at the windage caused by roller furling headsails, mainsails, dodgers and biminis left to fend for themselves when a storm approaches and the video footage of the aftermath. I swear that many owners are hoping to lose their vessels and get the insurance payout and rid themselves of the responsibility of boat ownership. Such is life.
Amazing pics. I keep our Lyle Hess designed 30' Channel Cutter in Morro Bay. Sadly, it seems that it is where boats go to die! Slips run 500 - 750 and moorings 350 - 650. So for upwards of 7 grand a year, a LOT of boat owners just let the vessel sit. The other side of that coin is that folks that have a real interest can't get a space. Most SoCal marinas require a survey to get a slip, and I think the survey has to be re-done every few years (three I think). Besides being fantastic for the survey business, I suppose it adds a layer of cost and effort that folks with very small / old boats won't deal with. Of course it makes a slip even more costly and limits the owner-maintained boats. I see so many boats that should not be on the water it's kind of sad. In Morro Bay (probably elsewhere as well) some folks just use them as a floating condo. All in all it is a pretty huge problem. I used to keep boats in Port San Luis CA - this is open to the South West - when the really fierce stoms hit the coast they come with S - SW wind and big seas (I've seen 16-20 in the mooring area). This tends to "flush" the poorly kept boats to shore. Seems like something could be done - but I have no real idea what! Good article! C Nichols S/V MINKE
Charlie - Thanks for your detailed response…and additional thoughts on a troubling subject. Like you and others, I’m mystified at how owners of derelict boats continue to pay moorage fees and insurance…clogging desirable and expensive marina slips. I can understand when an elderly boat owner dies and family members continue to cover marina-related costs for a few months—while they decide what on earth to do with Dad’s old rotter—but I’ve been in this marina for four years now, watching the same collection of boats grow additional layers of moss, lichen and scum…apparently never visited, but somehow supported in terms of moorage and insurance. (Clearly, they’d never make it through a professional marine survey, so their insurance companies must not require such inspections on a regular basis.) Just personally, I’d like to see a requirement that occupants of all permanent marina slips be required to leave the marina once a year under their own power—at least heading out into the bay and back to their slip—as evidence that they’re functional, if not adorable. But as entertaining as that might be, enforcement by marina staffers would only further drive moorage fees up for others…and I doubt the state will intervene to force such testing. (Finally, if readers would like to read a lengthier article on the general subject of marina management, how different states are dealing with the abandoned-boat issue, and more, please let us know and we’ll dive deeper into the subject.) - Marty
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.
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.
Marty, Yes, it's disguesting!!! And what I really can't comprehend are the owners (or families) who are still paying the slip fees? I know of one rather notable boat going down by the minute...and it's wood.
OMG these boats grow green stuff better than my lawn! Such a waste, such a sin. There are tons of people who would love a nice DIY boat. Sell, give away, do something before the boat becomes a wreck. Even a bare hull can be restored with effort, elbow grease, and a few bucks.
At least this reader has some interest in marina management, but would be more interested in learning more about the cleanup process, and even more interested in tips on how to pick out a salvageable gem from the burn pile.
In the winter storage area by the marina that I rent a slip from there are several abandoned boats. I may or may not have experimented with different waxes, compound and even sanding and wet sanding on a particular dark hulled boat. I may or may not have found that wood floor wax twice a season works about as well as anything short of a new gelcoat. That is if I actually did this !
Another good way to "recycle" an old boat...excellent!
Just don't get caught !
Hey Marty, you can add the folks that don’t properly prepare for a hurricane or tropical depression that contribute to the woes and costs to those of us that understand proper seamanship. I have had my boats damaged twice by being dragged down on by unsuitably moored or anchored vessels. One only has to look at the windage caused by roller furling headsails, mainsails, dodgers and biminis left to fend for themselves when a storm approaches and the video footage of the aftermath. I swear that many owners are hoping to lose their vessels and get the insurance payout and rid themselves of the responsibility of boat ownership. Such is life.
Amazing pics. I keep our Lyle Hess designed 30' Channel Cutter in Morro Bay. Sadly, it seems that it is where boats go to die! Slips run 500 - 750 and moorings 350 - 650. So for upwards of 7 grand a year, a LOT of boat owners just let the vessel sit. The other side of that coin is that folks that have a real interest can't get a space. Most SoCal marinas require a survey to get a slip, and I think the survey has to be re-done every few years (three I think). Besides being fantastic for the survey business, I suppose it adds a layer of cost and effort that folks with very small / old boats won't deal with. Of course it makes a slip even more costly and limits the owner-maintained boats. I see so many boats that should not be on the water it's kind of sad. In Morro Bay (probably elsewhere as well) some folks just use them as a floating condo. All in all it is a pretty huge problem. I used to keep boats in Port San Luis CA - this is open to the South West - when the really fierce stoms hit the coast they come with S - SW wind and big seas (I've seen 16-20 in the mooring area). This tends to "flush" the poorly kept boats to shore. Seems like something could be done - but I have no real idea what! Good article! C Nichols S/V MINKE
Charlie - Thanks for your detailed response…and additional thoughts on a troubling subject. Like you and others, I’m mystified at how owners of derelict boats continue to pay moorage fees and insurance…clogging desirable and expensive marina slips. I can understand when an elderly boat owner dies and family members continue to cover marina-related costs for a few months—while they decide what on earth to do with Dad’s old rotter—but I’ve been in this marina for four years now, watching the same collection of boats grow additional layers of moss, lichen and scum…apparently never visited, but somehow supported in terms of moorage and insurance. (Clearly, they’d never make it through a professional marine survey, so their insurance companies must not require such inspections on a regular basis.) Just personally, I’d like to see a requirement that occupants of all permanent marina slips be required to leave the marina once a year under their own power—at least heading out into the bay and back to their slip—as evidence that they’re functional, if not adorable. But as entertaining as that might be, enforcement by marina staffers would only further drive moorage fees up for others…and I doubt the state will intervene to force such testing. (Finally, if readers would like to read a lengthier article on the general subject of marina management, how different states are dealing with the abandoned-boat issue, and more, please let us know and we’ll dive deeper into the subject.) - Marty