GL: Fuel Prices vs. Marina Prices

[M S]

We don't pitty the marinas, and we do anchor out about 50% of the time, but the Admiral is much happier at a dock where she doesn't have to coordinate a shore expedition with me. If the Admiral is happier, I'm happier. 
   
  We understand supply and demand, but we refuse to stop at marinas over $1.50/ft and hesitate when it gets to $1.25/ft. 

  It's strange: I've noticed lots of empty slips also, but based on the difference between the skipper bob marina book and the prices we get when we call, I would say the average price has gone up around 25%. I have a couple of ideas:
   -  It's a short term spike before the fall. In order to keep income up as boats leave and buy less fuel, they increase the slip price, but this leads to more boats leaving, so they have to increase the price more. The question is: when will they drive enough customers away that the price increase can't make up the difference and they go bankrupt. The question that follows could be scarier: will it be new marina folks coming in, to buy on the cheap and provide reasonable marinas or will it be condo developers? 
   - Boats sit in thier permanent slip since the fuel prices are so high they don't travel. Slips set aside for transients sit empty and don't make as much money, so they get transients for as much as they can. Depending on the situation, I know some marinas have to set aside a percentage of thier slips for transients (Michigan municipal marinas are partly funded by the DNR as ports of refuge, so they are required to provide transient slips).
   
  We've had some luck by looking for weekly rates. Coming up the east coast of florida, we've been able to keep the cost to $1/ft or less in a few places (titusville $5/wk but need new breakwall, St. Augustine $7/wk).
   
  Mike & Tammy
  Valhalla II (Gemini 3400)
  
FloridaKeyz at aol.com wrote:
      Possible solution? Quit going to Marina's, anchor out. let the overpriced SOB's Starve. If they have empty docks long enough, they will EVENTUALLY get the message and lower prices.
   
  This may happen anyway, due to the lack of cruisers because of fuel prices.
   
  I see this happening in Florida, what little marina space we have left (due to Friggn Condo's) is usually very empty.
   
  Marina's get no pity from me!    
  
See you on the Waterway
Capt. Sterling
MV SterlingLadyIII
Key Largo, Fl. 




    
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