On Jan 14, 2:11*pm, "mmc" wrote:
"Frogwatch" wrote in message

...



Before leaving on my trip, I spent considerable time on the web
looking over slip prices in various areas. *My impression was that
Tarpon Springs was extremely overpriced but I intended to go there as
a backup plan so that is where i ended up. *I only found the slip at
Port Tarpon Marina because I had a six year old marina guide with me
(turns out I stayed at Port tarpon marina six years ago and that is
where I got the guide) and called them on the cell phone as I was
arriving at Tarpon Springs..
I know there must be a lot of slips available these days but they are
not on the web. *All I see are these bizarro expensive places with
swimming pools and jacuzzis etc. *All I want is a place to legally
park the boat and do not need any facilities. *I do not even need a
pump out, I'll pay for that at the expensive marinas when I buy fuel
there. *The cheapo falling down dock type places would do well to post
availability on the web and could easily alter the web site on a daily
basis.
The availability of inexpensive parking places would greatly
facilitate cruising by more people. *Right now, cruising my way by
going a short distance and then returning to work and then going to do
more is financially out of reach for many people due to the high cost
of maintaining a slip at home and paying for at least a month for a
slip you may use for only two weeks.
I think State parks and municipalities could attract a lot of cruisers
by installing mooring buoys with a 2 week limit. *You'd have to work
out the "park it and run off" derelict boat types problem. *The buoys
could have a slot for inserting money to pay along with a small
plastic bag on which you write the date you start. *This would be
similar to the car parking spaces you pay for in a big box but would
be on each buoy or on a central buoy.
Advertise these mooring buoys on the web and you'd attract boating
people who do not mind spending money in your community.

DB,
For the cheap parking places, check craigslist for your target area. I've
seen decent neighborhood dockage offered in my area since money has been
tight. Usually there are caveats about limiting overnight stays, amount of
time on boat, power, water, etc. All makes sense since these are usually
docks behind a privately owned home. Don't know if anyone is doing it for a
few days at a time.
As for the moorings, you'll see more and more of this happening as cities
crack down on anchoring outside of designated areas.
In our area, cheap mooring would have a waiting list with the locals and
unless a number were reserved for cruisers, they'd still be out of luck.
About people spending money, it more than likely wouldn't be much unless
they happen to break down and need a service professional. I stock my boat
before I go and buy the minimum along the way. If we overnight on a dock,
we'll hit a close restaurant for dinner.

I think cruisers would tend to patronize local restaurants on days
when locals do not because they are cruising on weekdays. Such
cruisers are either beginning or ending a portion of their cruise and
will celebrate at a restaurant.
Notice I said these moorings would have a 2 week limit so locals are
not likely to use em.