Measurements for Marina Slip - The Hull Truth

got fish? · 10-14-2006, 08:58 AM

What's the typical way to measure a boat for calculating a slip fee?

Obviously, in most places it's length X rate.....rates are usually in $$$/ft.

I have a 24' wellcraft - from manual "L.O.A w/pulpit - 24' 1""

So for three years my fee has been 24 X $$$

Now, I got a renewal note that says "Measured your boat. From anchor to end of raised outboard is 28 feet. So fee is 28 x $$$"

Not sure if I have a legit gripe or not. Anchor hangs under pulpit, so the additional FOUR feet is coming from my outboard.

Do marinas usually measure from the end of outboard motors? If so, I figure I can save a lot of $$$ by parking with the outboard down!

Appreciate any advice on whether I should complain or just accept that this is how boats are measured at marinas.

prockvoan · 10-14-2006, 09:07 AM

In the pass for me it has been LOA x $$/per foot.You don't want to keep your motor down in the water all the time.Anyway,sounds like the marina is putting the screws to you!They are milking you.When a marina starts that,they will start nickle and dime you to death.That is one of those things that just burns me to no end.Time to look for a new place.

Onewolf · 10-14-2006, 09:08 AM

Marinas can set their rates however they choose. At my marina, the payment is based upon the slip size rather than the boat length so if you put a 25 foot boat in a 40 foot slip you still pay for a 40 foot slip. Our boat has a 32'8" LOA + raised outboards but we're in a 30 foot slip. Apparently your marina feels they are not charging enough, so I guess they could have raised their per foot rate but instead they changed the measurement standard.

It's not unusual to measure the actual length of the boat including outboards. When I had my boats in inside in/out storage, that's what they did.

Doug

Enough Already · 10-14-2006, 10:06 AM

Tape measure, tip of bow to back of motor - the way it works around here for rack store.

Glen E · 10-14-2006, 10:07 AM

agreed...my condo measured from the outboard tips up to the tip of the bow roller -that really is the space you are using when using a dock, right? - can't really keep you're engines down in the water as that negates trhe advantage of outboards and you will suffer in the long run...outboards sitting in water for storage = long term problems

captct · 10-14-2006, 01:14 PM

LOA
tip to tail

wellcraft290 · 10-16-2006, 10:42 AM

I am now paying for the beam. $300 per foot of beam. length is unlimited. y old place was you rent the slip no matter what size the boat was. It is a few extra bucks for the marina and I really don't blame them because if you don't want it and they can fit a bigger boat they will get more from the next guy

solarfry · 10-16-2006, 10:45 AM

I had to rent a 30' slip for a 25' boat and I paid by size of slip. Smallest available at MDR was 30'

fishie1 · 10-16-2006, 11:06 AM

Tape measure from tip of bow or bowrail to end of skeg. Doesn't seem unfair- it is how much room the boat takes.

Bitefish · 10-16-2006, 11:44 AM

Tip to stern, AND marinas should not allow you to dock a boat that extends beyond the forward mooring poles in any of their slips. Its extremely dangerous in windy conditions or when there's a current running - it makes it impossible to lay against your bow piling and pivot in when someone's got a pulpit sticking 5'+ out beyond the end of the pilings!

t3rockhall · 10-16-2006, 12:14 PM

28' is the space your boat occupies when it's in the slip. Seems fair to me.

ocnslr · 10-16-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Bitefish - 10/16/2006 10:44 AM ...AND marinas should not allow you to dock a boat that extends beyond the forward mooring poles in any of their slips. Its extremely dangerous in windy conditions or when there's a current running - it makes it impossible to lay against your bow piling and pivot in when someone's got a pulpit sticking 5'+ out beyond the end of the pilings!

Agree 100%. We live in a condo where owners can purchase slips, and the Boat Slip Rules clearly state that you can not overhang the dock, or project beyond the platted length of your slip. We had a new owner of a townhouse purchase a 30-foot slip and put a SeaRay 290 in there. With bowsprit it was over 32-feet, plus the engines (with Dolphins) extended well aft of the swim platform. Took us a few months, but the boat was removed..

As to the original post, when we were in dry storage, we paid for the LOA of the boat, tip of bowsprit to back of engine, plus the height.When we moved to a wet slip, we paid for LOA of the boat - but it did not include the engine.

Brian

Mako211 · 10-16-2006, 03:35 PM

Actually, LOA is a pretty dumb way for them to charge, although most do it. It should be X dollars for each slip with a maximum size for that particular slip. If a slip will hold a 30 foot boat why should they charge you less just 'cause yours is 28.

In my marina all the slips are 21' X 9 ft. Why should a 17 boat that takes up a slip pay less than a 21'' boat. They both use one whole slip.

Obviously this applies to slips. Straight dock or bulkhead is different.

And, yes, tip to tail outboards included.