Iggy
Guru
If your on one of their moorings it should be free. I can see, 5 or 10, but 20 seems a bit high if your not staying there.
I like patronizing Joseph's and will do so next time I'm through the area. After much thought, I've decided $20 for a 10' dinghy to have a <$60 dinner is too much for me. I also feel it's not the restuarant's problem. There are a couple of options that require a modest walk, and I might have a friend on the transient dock to tie off to.
Ted
Ted,
I own a slip in that marina and have plenty of room for you to tie your dinghy up next to our boat when you're there next time. Joseph's is right at the end of our (B) dock. You're welcome anytime.
...I can't see paying money just so I can go spend money...
I find this entire discussion quite interesting giving me a new perspective
while living in a house I keep my trawler in a marina with security gates, yet it is tough for the staff to keep the derelicts anchored out from coming in and tying up to the pump-out dock at night. Even with a guard who can only call law enforcement, these individuals trash the facilities causing constant problems for those of us paying for slips.
At my job in a separate marina I am a marine technician, this one is on a touristy island and has no security other than cameras, The dock hands and the sales and store staff continually have to contend with everyone from cheapskate snowbirds to dope addicts anchored just outside of the channel coming ashore, tying dinghies up to docks in an effort to slide off into town, again at the expense and inconvenience and some might say safety of those who pay for our services.
So I see no good reasons to for free dockage.
PS. I love you guys
And there`s the tip on top of the $20, another $10? Dinner is getting pricey.Yes but are they valet parking the dinghy?
Ted, I may be one of the few that get what you are saying. Like you said earlier IF they charged you $1.60 per foot for a side tie of the dingy (10x 1.60= $16 is overnight charge) you would not have started this thread. $20 for maybe 4 hours max is outrages.As the OP, I wasn't looking for free dockage (after I found out it wasn't free anymore) just reasonable dockage. I wouldn't have started this thead if it was $5 or $10.
Ted
Ted, I may be one of the few that get what you are saying. Like you said earlier IF they charged you $1.60 per foot for a side tie of the dingy (10x 1.60= $16 is overnight charge) you would not have started this thread. $20 for maybe 4 hours max is outrages.
Since you like the restaurant I hope you told them you will not be back because of this.
Nominal $5, maybe $10 is more like it to separate out the riff raff. It would also be affordable to the restaurant to validate and provide free parking.
In a big city it can cost you $20 (or more) to park your car for dinner. $20 bucks for your dinghy seems comparable.
Depends on who owns the docks.
If it is the restaurant, they can charge whatever they want. They either make it a separate charge that just applies to boaters or build it into their menu prices, which might not be fair to people who don't take advantage of the docks.
If someone else owns the docks, they can charge what they like. The restaurant has no control, but maybe some imfluence.
In the areas of the Chesapeake where I've boated, if there is a charge, $20 for 4 hours is about the going rate. Some places it's $20/hour.
Many here would agree with you, while paying $20 to enter a boat show specifically designed to have you spend money.I can't see paying money just so I can go spend money.
... I can't see paying money just so I can go spend money..... .
Many here would agree with you, while paying $20 to enter a boat show specifically designed to have you spend money.
Funny that.
so you're comparing it to parking meters. It's been a while since I used one of those, but for a parking meter you're talking what, maybe a few dollars at most? Double that to make for a profit since it's not a city thing.... still not in the league of $20.
Arguably we could ask for better. We could ask for free.No, but it is -- set aside -- parking. You could not ask for better. This is not a McDonalds or even a Burger King.
Yes they are not boat people, they are bank people. Maximize the profit for the share holders and any future buyer.FWIW, my recent couple of experiences with SH marinas had them disposing of the client courtesy cars as well.
If they stay full, they have no reason not to make every cent they can...
So a little reality check:
Anchored below Savannah, GA around lunchtime as I need to do a quick grocery run. Took my dinghy up the Turner Creek to Hogan's Marina. Dinghy docking on their very nice floating dock next to the shore was $10. One of the dock hands caught my lines. The lady in the office was happy to have my business and told me that dinghy docking was good for 24 hours, so I could come back later if I wanted to eat at a restaurant. A well stocked Publix grocery store was a 3 minute walk from the office. Apparently a lot of cruisers do what I did and they're happy to have the business. I guess it takes a small business to understand that every sale matters.
Ted