Fractional sailing?
 

Greetings all,

Pardon me if this has been discussed before but I am new to the group. Has
anyone had experience with what seems essentially to be a boat time-share
lease, i.e. sharing the use of a boat with several other people, but never
owning it? I was perusing boat ads the other day and ran across one such
outfit and it seemed like a good deal, which immediately made me suspicious.
Anyone here ever tried this type of thing?

Thanks,

Steve

Fractional sailing?
 

On Sep 28, 9:36 pm, "Steve" wrote:
Greetings all,

Pardon me if this has been discussed before but I am new to the group. Has
anyone had experience with what seems essentially to be a boat time-share
lease, i.e. sharing the use of a boat with several other people, but never
owning it? I was perusing boat ads the other day and ran across one such
outfit and it seemed like a good deal, which immediately made me suspicious.
Anyone here ever tried this type of thing?

Thanks,

Steve

Hi Steve,
I think it is rediculous. You have a yacht in Greece and someone else
has a boat in Uk etc. So you can choose from a list where you wanto go
every year.
I wouldnt like someone using my yacht! It like timesharing.

Stelios
www.sig.gr

Fractional sailing?
 

"Steve" wrote:
Greetings all,

Pardon me if this has been discussed before but I am new to the group. Has
anyone had experience with what seems essentially to be a boat time-share
lease, i.e. sharing the use of a boat with several other people, but never
owning it? I was perusing boat ads the other day and ran across one such
outfit and it seemed like a good deal, which immediately made me suspicious.
Anyone here ever tried this type of thing?


Several, I think.

I've owned boats in partenrship, and it is not suited to my
personality. Part of it is the inevitable bickering over maintenance
exenses, which made me want to just smack them over the head... we did
not have any repair issues, thank goodness, that can be even thornier.
Just let me say: Buy a small boat you can afford rather than ruining a
friendship going in partners on a big one... or, if you must have a
big boat, go in partners with somebody you hate already.

Places like J-World or Club Nautique can also be a pretty good deal,
but part of what you pay for is professional management of the boat(s)
and expenses, and you have a limited range of options for use. Still,
it's much cheaper per-hour than owning one of the boats yourself....
unless you really have good maintenance skills and use the boat a lot.

Walking around almost any marina or sailing club, you'll see millions
of dollars sitting idle 99.99% of the time.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Fractional sailing?
 

On Sep 28, 9:47 pm, wrote:
"Steve" wrote:
Greetings all,

Pardon me if this has been discussed before but I am new to the group. Has
anyone had experience with what seems essentially to be a boat time-share
lease, i.e. sharing the use of a boat with several other people, but never
owning it? I was perusing boat ads the other day and ran across one such
outfit and it seemed like a good deal, which immediately made me suspicious.
Anyone here ever tried this type of thing?

Several, I think.

I've owned boats in partenrship, and it is not suited to my
personality. Part of it is the inevitable bickering over maintenance
exenses, which made me want to just smack them over the head... we did
not have any repair issues, thank goodness, that can be even thornier.
Just let me say: Buy a small boat you can afford rather than ruining a
friendship going in partners on a big one... or, if you must have a
big boat, go in partners with somebody you hate already.

Places like J-World or Club Nautique can also be a pretty good deal,
but part of what you pay for is professional management of the boat(s)
and expenses, and you have a limited range of options for use. Still,
it's much cheaper per-hour than owning one of the boats yourself....
unless you really have good maintenance skills and use the boat a lot.

Walking around almost any marina or sailing club, you'll see millions
of dollars sitting idle 99.99% of the time.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Doug:

Your last sentence says a lot. Not being used seems to be worse for a
boat than moderate use. So, how to address this problem? For a
cruising boat, I cannot think of a way but for racing boats a racing
club might be the way.

Fractional sailing?
 

wrote in message
ps.com...
"Steve" wrote:
Greetings all,

Pardon me if this has been discussed before but I am new to the group.
Has
anyone had experience with what seems essentially to be a boat time-share
lease, i.e. sharing the use of a boat with several other people, but
never
owning it? I was perusing boat ads the other day and ran across one such
outfit and it seemed like a good deal, which immediately made me
suspicious.
Anyone here ever tried this type of thing?


Several, I think.

I've owned boats in partenrship, and it is not suited to my
personality. Part of it is the inevitable bickering over maintenance
exenses, which made me want to just smack them over the head... we did
not have any repair issues, thank goodness, that can be even thornier.
Just let me say: Buy a small boat you can afford rather than ruining a
friendship going in partners on a big one... or, if you must have a
big boat, go in partners with somebody you hate already.

Places like J-World or Club Nautique can also be a pretty good deal,
but part of what you pay for is professional management of the boat(s)
and expenses, and you have a limited range of options for use. Still,
it's much cheaper per-hour than owning one of the boats yourself....
unless you really have good maintenance skills and use the boat a lot.

Walking around almost any marina or sailing club, you'll see millions
of dollars sitting idle 99.99% of the time.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

I agree with all that Doug has said, but you also have to consider that
there is always the possibility that the another guy who shares the boat and
had it out just before you will find himself unable to get back at the end
of his time because either he went too far downwind or else the weather went
against him on his way back. So you arrive to pick the boat up when it is
your turn and you find it is not there waiting for you Big difference from
a timeshare property!
Also consider that it is likely to be very hard to sell your share when you
are tired of the deal. Take Doug's advice and buy a boat you can afford and
can sell when you want to trade up.

Fractional sailing?
 

I've owned boats in partenrship, and it is not suited to my
personality. Part of it is the inevitable bickering over
maintenance



I owned my fist boat in partnership and had no problems. Of course
Doug did since he's an asshole.
Two or more affable sailors can certainly own a boat together and I
know more than a few that do this. Owning a 40 foot boat with a
partner or two MIGHT be more rewarding than owning a 28 foot boat on
your own, but that depends on your requirements and expectations.


Cheers,


RB
35s5
NY

Fractional sailing?
 

Walking around almost any marina or sailing club, you'll see millions
of dollars sitting idle 99.99% of the time.


Frogwatch wrote:
Your last sentence says a lot. Not being used seems to be worse for a
boat than moderate use.

That seems true from what I've seen. What's worse, the owners of boats
that sit for years tend to think of the boat as being still spanking
new, so when they do show up for that once-in-three-years sail (and
I'm not kidding) they get into trouble with engine problems, dead
batteries, sun-rotted gear, etc etc.


.... So, how to address this problem? For a
cruising boat, I cannot think of a way but for racing boats a racing
club might be the way.

For racing, one way is to have fleet-owned one design boats. Buy in at
the crew level, a higher buy-in for skippers; mandatory maintenance
hours or a fee that will more than cover needed work (most people
would rather pay, so you have to make the fee at least slightly
punitive). There are actually a number of clubs that do this around
the Chesapeake; don't know about other areas.

For cruising, the answer is to use the boat a lot. Mulitple
benefits... you don't have a lot of capital lying idle, you learn the
ins & outs of the boat, you have more fun.


"Edgar" wrote:

..... you also have to consider that
there is always the possibility that the another guy who shares the boat and
had it out just before you will find himself unable to get back at the end
of his time because either he went too far downwind or else the weather went
against him on his way back. So you arrive to pick the boat up when it is
your turn and you find it is not there waiting for you Big difference from
a timeshare property!

Or one of the partners has damaged the boat and not fixed it because
he didn't notice, or didn't know how, or "didn't have time". Never
happened to us but is common. Some friends of ours who owned a nice 37-
footer in partnership had the partners' family leave the head valves
open, so the boat flooded with a skim nice fresh potty-flush floating
on top. That one ended up in court as they argued about not only who
was supposed to pay for totally stripping & cleaning the inside of
boat, replacing cushions, etc etc. That one *really* ruined a
friendship and a family relationship as well.

The boats I owned in partnership were all racers and the partners were
quite good sailors. We had quite an extenensive & effective agreement,
for example we agreed to flip a coin before every race to determine
who would skipper. We also had to kick in a fixed amount monthly above
expenses, so that money was always on hand in the "boat fund."

It was actually a valuable experience because I got to campaign 2
boats I could not have afforded otherwise and learned first-hand that
a hard-racing keelboat is like a cocaine habit, you simply spend as
much money as you can lay hands on once it gets hold of you.

Also consider that it is likely to be very hard to sell your share when you
are tired of the deal. Take Doug's advice and buy a boat you can afford and
can sell when you want to trade up.


You also won't be caught in a financial trap like all the yuppies
currently moaning over their McMansion ARMs.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Fractional sailing?
 

wrote:
The idea that the overwhelming majority of boats never sail is a bunch of
baloney.

Maybe in the marinas & sailing clubs that you have been to.


.... People have different schedules. I'll bet there are people who think my
boat never leaves the dock, simply because we have different schedules.

And the dockmaster(s) who are there all day, every day? The retired
guys who hang out there? You may have a "different schedule" but if
there's never anybody else there to see you, then that would tend to
prove my point that other boats aren't getting sailed much.


Doug is flat out wrong.

Occasionally happens, but not this time.

Ask any dockmaster or club manager what percent of boats get taken out
twice a year or less.

DSK

Fractional sailing?
 

Doug is flat out wrong.

Occasionally happens, but not this time.


Most of the boats, power and sail, at our club see a lot of use. A
very few don't. I used to think Doug's comment had some truth to it,
but not any more. Once I spent more time at my club I realized that
only a few boats sat without use. Of course Doug walks around asking
dockmasters about the sailboats that don't sail!!!
Anyone believe THAT???


BWAHAHAHHAHAAHA! We sailed today. Doug did not. Doug does not have a
sailboat.



RB
35s5
NY

Fractional sailing?
 

Capt. Rob wrote:
Doug is flat out wrong.


Occasionally happens, but not this time.


Most of the boats, power and sail, at our club see a lot of use. A
very few don't. I used to think Doug's comment had some truth to it,
but not any more. Once I spent more time at my club I realized that
only a few boats sat without use. Of course Doug walks around asking
dockmasters about the sailboats that don't sail!!!
Anyone believe THAT???


BWAHAHAHHAHAAHA! We sailed today. Doug did not. Doug does not have a
sailboat.



RB
35s5
NY

Seeing that I sail out of the same marina as Doug, I can verify that.
Our dickmaster makes active note of who sails what when where and why
and can tell you exactly how many times each boat leaves the dock. He
also keeps track of time that each boat leaves, looks out for when you
return and is waiting on the dock for you...he is probably one of the
most "in the know" guys I have ever seen..he makes it his business to
know everything going on in our marina...and there are a lot of boats
that never go out...their owners are living way far away and only make
it there for long vacations...

Fractional sailing?
 

katy wrote:
Capt. Rob wrote:

Doug is flat out wrong.



Occasionally happens, but not this time.


Most of the boats, power and sail, at our club see a lot of use. A
very few don't. I used to think Doug's comment had some truth to it,
but not any more. Once I spent more time at my club I realized that
only a few boats sat without use. Of course Doug walks around asking
dockmasters about the sailboats that don't sail!!!
Anyone believe THAT???


BWAHAHAHHAHAAHA! We sailed today. Doug did not. Doug does not have a
sailboat.



RB
35s5
NY

Seeing that I sail out of the same marina as Doug, I can verify that.
Our dickmaster makes active note of who sails what when where and why
and can tell you exactly how many times each boat leaves the dock. He
also keeps track of time that each boat leaves, looks out for when you
return and is waiting on the dock for you...he is probably one of the
most "in the know" guys I have ever seen..he makes it his business to
know everything going on in our marina...and there are a lot of boats
that never go out...their owners are living way far away and only make
it there for long vacations...

Lordy...typo...it's is of course, dockmaster...NC has laws against
practicing the other...

Fractional sailing?
 

Seeing that I sail out of the same marina as Doug, I can verify that.
Our dickmaster



Ahhh, I see they finally hired Doug.




RB
35s5
NY

Fractional sailing?
 

wrote in message
ups.com...
wrote:
The idea that the overwhelming majority of boats never sail is a
bunch of
baloney.

Maybe in the marinas & sailing clubs that you have been to.
snip


What happened to your Great Loop trip? Can't afford fuel? Engine break?
Blisters pop and leak?

Wilbur Hubbard

Fractional sailing?
 

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
ps.com...
Seeing that I sail out of the same marina as Doug, I can verify that.
Our dickmaster

Dickmaster? Why do you have to gay up every post?


Ahhh, I see they finally hired Doug.

At least somebody thinks Doug's labor is worth the money. Unlike you,
who got fired from that lame sail loft for gross incompetence and for
giving their product a bad name so they booted your worthless arse out
onto the street . . .

Wilbur Hubbard

Fractional sailing?
 

On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:05:36 GMT, wrote this crap:

Your last sentence says a lot. Not being used seems to be worse for a
boat than moderate use. So, how to address this problem? For a
cruising boat, I cannot think of a way but for racing boats a racing
club might be the way.

The idea that the overwhelming majority of boats never sail is a bunch of
baloney. People have different schedules. I'll bet there are people who think my
boat never leaves the dock, simply because we have different schedules. I sail a
lot. Two or three evenings during the week and at least one day every weekend.
If I go down to my marina on a weekday morning, many boats that are usually
there when I normally sail are gone. It may be that many boats don't get used
often, but it's not nearly the high number that is often speculated.

I remember reading a letter to the editor of a newspaper once by some crank who
said he went out on the highway and drove exactly 55 mph all day. His conclusion
based on his observations was that virtually nobody else was driving 55. Well,
duh! If you drive for fifty years at 55 you will never catch up with, or be
passed by anybody else driving the same speed.

Doug is flat out wrong. That's nothing new.

No, you're an idiot.

I've been to my yacht club on every weekend, during the week, and on
evenings. 75% of the boats never leave the dock. The other 25% stay
in the dock 90% of the time. I sail more than anyone on this
newsgroup, and my boat sits in the dock most days. And when it goes
out, it's usually for only a few hours.




I'm Horvath and I approve of this post.

Fractional sailing?
 

wrote:
Doug said 99.9% never get used.

I see the problem.
You didn't read what I wrote.

What I wrote:
"Walking around almost any marina or sailing club, you'll see millions
of dollars sitting idle 99.99% of the time."

DSK

Fractional sailing?
 

At least somebody thinks Doug's labor is worth the money. Unlike you,
who got fired from that lame sail loft for gross incompetence and for
giving their product a bad name so they booted your worthless arse out
onto the street . . .



Golly! You mean the two lofts where I sold sails for Hunter 43,
Pearson 33, C&C 29, Beneteau 35cc and Cape Dory 26? That's some
booting!
Ahh...making the sockpuppets dance....good times.



RB
35s5
NY

Fractional sailing?
 

Doug said 99.9% never get used.




That's Dickmaster math. They're teaching it in all of the new
Dickmaster schools these days, but using my slide rule made from whale
bone I worked out that sailboats in my club sit idle 37.8% of the
time.
BTW, Doug sails 0.0 % of the time. He's a powerboater and that's a
fact.



RB
35s5
NY

Fractional sailing?
 

wrote in message
ups.com...
wrote:
The idea that the overwhelming majority of boats never
sail is a bunch of
baloney.

Maybe in the marinas & sailing clubs that you have been
to.


.... People have different schedules. I'll bet there are
people who think my
boat never leaves the dock, simply because we have
different schedules.

And the dockmaster(s) who are there all day, every day?
The retired
guys who hang out there? You may have a "different
schedule" but if
there's never anybody else there to see you, then that
would tend to
prove my point that other boats aren't getting sailed
much.


Doug is flat out wrong.

Occasionally happens, but not this time.

Ask any dockmaster or club manager what percent of boats
get taken out
twice a year or less.


talk to the yard apes, they really know the skinny.

What Doug said is true.

Scotty

Fractional sailing?
 

wrote in message
...

People have different schedules. I'll bet there are
people who think my
boat never leaves the dock, simply because we have
different schedules.

I returned to the slip one Saturday, after a 4 day sail and
my 'neighbor' was there and asked, '' you finally going for
a sail?''. I answered no, I just got back. Then he said how
he's noticed my boat tied up most weekends. I don't like
weekends during ''the season'' when all the weekend warrior
stink potters are out.

Scotty

Fractional sailing?
 

"Scotty" wrote:
I returned to the slip one Saturday, after a 4 day sail and
my 'neighbor' was there and asked, '' you finally going for
a sail?''. I answered no, I just got back. Then he said how
he's noticed my boat tied up most weekends. I don't like
weekends during ''the season'' when all the weekend warrior
stink potters are out.


It's true that some have different schedules; but the fact remains
that a large number of boats sit unused. If you walk the docks and
look around, you can tell a boat that is taken out often and taken
care of, albeit in times when there many not be anybody to see, from
one that just sits unloved.

The New Bern marina dockmaster once said that about 20% of the boats
in his marina have never been taken out once during the years they've
been parked there. The man in the slip next to us has taken his boat
out twice in 4 years, spent more time prepping for hurricanes than he
has sailing. It's also true that there are many owners who live far
away, one boat is owned from Colorado and the owner goes on a 2 week
trip every year and doesn't see the boat otherwise.

One reason why there are so many different kinds of boats is that
there are so many different kinds of sailors!

DSK

Fractional sailing?
 

Thanks for all the responses! I think I just need to start calling places
up and get the details on the various plans. I'd love to have my own boat,
but it seems like dockage is at a premium. There are plenty of sailing
clubs that offer slips to members (Lake Erie) but some of these have long
waiting lists and I don't know if it makes sense to buy a boat so I can join
a club and then store it while I wait for a slip to open up. Need to do
some more digging!

Steve

Fractional sailing?
 

Steve wrote:
Thanks for all the responses! I think I just need to start calling places
up and get the details on the various plans. I'd love to have my own boat,
but it seems like dockage is at a premium. There are plenty of sailing
clubs that offer slips to members (Lake Erie) but some of these have long
waiting lists and I don't know if it makes sense to buy a boat so I can join
a club and then store it while I wait for a slip to open up. Need to do
some more digging!

Steve


Get a trailer sailor or find a mooring can...

Fractional sailing?
 

"katy" wrote in message
...

Get a trailer sailor or find a mooring can...

A trailerable boat is out for me as I do a lot of single-hand. I'm not sure
I'd feel comfortable storing my boat to a mooring all season! Thanks!

Fractional sailing?
 

Steve wrote:
"katy" wrote in message
...


Get a trailer sailor or find a mooring can...


A trailerable boat is out for me as I do a lot of single-hand. I'm not sure
I'd feel comfortable storing my boat to a mooring all season! Thanks!


huh? Why wouldn't you be able to singlehand a trailer sailerable boat?
We had an O'Day 22 and it was singlehanded all the time by either one
of us...and we've had our boat on a mooring...what's the problem with
that??? If you're worried about stepping the boat alone, it's really not
that difficult when you use a come-along...It's a way to get around the
waiting for a slip thing...you put the boat on the mooring and sail off
it while waiting for your name to come up on the list...in fact, you
will become a better sailor learning to sail on and off a can than you
would coming and going from a dock....

Fractional sailing?
 

"katy" wrote in message
...

huh? Why wouldn't you be able to singlehand a trailer sailerable boat? We
had an O'Day 22 and it was singlehanded all the time by either one of
us...and we've had our boat on a mooring...what's the problem with that???
If you're worried about stepping the boat alone, it's really not that
difficult when you use a come-along...It's a way to get around the waiting
for a slip thing...you put the boat on the mooring and sail off it while
waiting for your name to come up on the list...in fact, you will become a
better sailor learning to sail on and off a can than you would coming and
going from a dock....

My only experience with trailerable boats are the powered variety and that
is definitely a two-person operation: one to sit in the boat and pilot it
and one to back the trailer down the boat ramp into the water. For the
mooring, I guess I didn't realize you could just drop a mooring somewhere
offshore and use it indefinitely. Don't you need someone's permission?
I've used moorings before but only those off Long Wharf in Boston Harbor and
they were maintained by the sailing club.

Fractional sailing?
 

"Steve" wrote in message
. net...

"

My only experience with trailerable boats are the powered
variety and that
is definitely a two-person operation: one to sit in the
boat and pilot it
and one to back the trailer down the boat ramp into the
water.


I, along with thousands of other's have launched boats
single handed for years.



For the
mooring, I guess I didn't realize you could just drop a
mooring somewhere
offshore and use it indefinitely. Don't you need
someone's permission?



yes, King Neptune's.


Scotty

Fractional sailing?
 

"Steve" wrote in message
t...

"katy" wrote in message
...

Get a trailer sailor or find a mooring can...

A trailerable boat is out for me as I do a lot of
single-hand.

WTF?

Fractional sailing?
 

"Steve" wrote in message
. net...

"katy" wrote in message
...

huh? Why wouldn't you be able to singlehand a trailer sailerable boat?
We had an O'Day 22 and it was singlehanded all the time by either one of
us...and we've had our boat on a mooring...what's the problem with
that??? If you're worried about stepping the boat alone, it's really not
that difficult when you use a come-along...It's a way to get around the
waiting for a slip thing...you put the boat on the mooring and sail off
it while waiting for your name to come up on the list...in fact, you will
become a better sailor learning to sail on and off a can than you would
coming and going from a dock....

My only experience with trailerable boats are the powered variety and that
is definitely a two-person operation: one to sit in the boat and pilot it
and one to back the trailer down the boat ramp into the water. For the
mooring, I guess I didn't realize you could just drop a mooring somewhere
offshore and use it indefinitely. Don't you need someone's permission?
I've used moorings before but only those off Long Wharf in Boston Harbor
and they were maintained by the sailing club.



Sailing vessels are different from power vessels. I've owned
trailer-sailers, and I've sailed with others who own them. They're not
particularly difficult to launch/retrieve.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

Fractional sailing?
 

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...

Sailing vessels are different from power vessels. I've owned
trailer-sailers, and I've sailed with others who own them. They're not
particularly difficult to launch/retrieve.


I've never had to deal with transporting/launching a boat so I guess I'm
pretty ignorant about what is involved. I'm glad to hear it isn't difficult
as it adds another option for me. Thanks!

Fractional sailing?
 

"Capt. JG" wrote
.... I've owned
trailer-sailers, and I've sailed with others who own them. They're not
particularly difficult to launch/retrieve.

Some are, some aren't. A lot depends on size & type.

"Steve" wrote:
I've never had to deal with transporting/launching a boat so I guess I'm
pretty ignorant about what is involved. I'm glad to hear it isn't difficult
as it adds another option for me. Thanks!

It's a good option to consider if dock space is at a premium in your
area. I had several different trailerable boats for years.... decades,
actually, looking back on it.... mostly on the smallish side because I
prefer smaller economical tow vehicles. My wife and I sailed & cruised
many 2 week vacations in a 19 footer, all over the East Coast. Your
sailing area expands when you can go port-to-port at 65mph.

OTOH the additional time involved in trailering & rigging & launching,
plus the maintenance of the trailer which can cause catastrophic
failure if overlooked or done poorly, convince many people that they
want an "in-water" boat. It's a matter of setting your priorities.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Fractional sailing?
 

wrote in message
ps.com...
"Capt. JG" wrote
.... I've owned
trailer-sailers, and I've sailed with others who own them. They're not
particularly difficult to launch/retrieve.

Some are, some aren't. A lot depends on size & type.

Certainly, but I think it's more about time/patience rather than size/type.


"Steve" wrote:
I've never had to deal with transporting/launching a boat so I guess I'm
pretty ignorant about what is involved. I'm glad to hear it isn't
difficult
as it adds another option for me. Thanks!

It's a good option to consider if dock space is at a premium in your
area. I had several different trailerable boats for years.... decades,
actually, looking back on it.... mostly on the smallish side because I
prefer smaller economical tow vehicles. My wife and I sailed & cruised
many 2 week vacations in a 19 footer, all over the East Coast. Your
sailing area expands when you can go port-to-port at 65mph.

OTOH the additional time involved in trailering & rigging & launching,
plus the maintenance of the trailer which can cause catastrophic
failure if overlooked or done poorly, convince many people that they
want an "in-water" boat. It's a matter of setting your priorities.

Yeah, I stepped off the dock one time, mast in hand.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

Fractional sailing?
 

Steve wrote:
"katy" wrote in message
...


huh? Why wouldn't you be able to singlehand a trailer sailerable boat? We
had an O'Day 22 and it was singlehanded all the time by either one of
us...and we've had our boat on a mooring...what's the problem with that???
If you're worried about stepping the boat alone, it's really not that
difficult when you use a come-along...It's a way to get around the waiting
for a slip thing...you put the boat on the mooring and sail off it while
waiting for your name to come up on the list...in fact, you will become a
better sailor learning to sail on and off a can than you would coming and
going from a dock....


My only experience with trailerable boats are the powered variety and that
is definitely a two-person operation: one to sit in the boat and pilot it
and one to back the trailer down the boat ramp into the water. For the
mooring, I guess I didn't realize you could just drop a mooring somewhere
offshore and use it indefinitely. Don't you need someone's permission?
I've used moorings before but only those off Long Wharf in Boston Harbor and
they were maintained by the sailing club.


You don't need someone on the boat when you launch...wouldn't do any
good anyway...you just use long docklines so it doesn't float away..and
no, you cannot sink a mooring anywhere...I was speaking of dedicated
morring fields...many municipal marinas have them in Michigan and some
yacht clubs...sometimes you can lease one from a private property owner
that has sunk one in front of their ;property if their lake association
allows it...