"lets go in on a place"

deniseO30 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009

One of my friends in my Yacht Club said; "Why don't we get a few others that would be interested in getting a place for all our boats! Well, after thinking about this for at least a minute. I responded by saying; "I don't think anyone can commit to such an idea, least of all me, since any kind of place on the water is going to being the many hundreds of thousands of dollars." (water front property) The "place" would be on the Chesapeake of course. I did think about it more, and realize a YC like situation like we have here at home could possibly work. But then, why not just join a YC on the Chessy?

My questions to this idea are; How viable is such an arrangement for partners in a real estate venture? Do any of you have anything like this working for you and few friends? Lastly, is there any place on the Bay that is affordable? ( I know the answer!!)

osirissail · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009

Answer - not very! There are a million details such as zoning, EPA and water use, environmental impact studies, wildlife preservation, not to mention insurance for everything from injury, oil spills, fire, natural disasters to like hurricanes and tropical storms. The list goes on and on. Starting up a marina is just too complicated in most places and can only really be done by corporations with very deep pockets and political muscle.
- - However, taking over an old marginal marina or leasing a part of it from the owner can bypass a lot of the hassles of a new place. So long as the old owner maintains ownership he usually has "grandfathered" privileges that new owners or builders do not have. That can save mega-dollars and hassles.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009

Some of my friends are discussing buying or renting a place as a "shore base" for themselves while out cruising. It would be a place that they can use as a mailing address, storage place. etc. It wouldn't be a marina, or a place to moor/dock the boats.

Bene505 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009

If it was co-owned by all the people that put boats there, perhaps you wouldn't have a marina, perhaps you'd have a shared house that happens to have boats stored on it.

osirissail · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009

- - No, a pig brought into your house as a pet is still a farm animal and subject to the rules and laws for such.
- - If there are any "man-made" structures for holding or tieing the boats to - then it is basically a marina versus a "beach" where the boats are hauled up onto the sand/dirt. The various governmental layers are really good as defining every variation of naming you can come up with as a marina even if it is only a "co-op" type or restricted membership operation. Some places even extend the rules out to the installation of moorings versus docks. It is complicated and once you increase owners and their boats in numbers exceeding one, you get into tricky waters. That is why subleting from an existing operation or working something out with them is much more simple.

davidpm · #6 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009

A yacht club here in CT was able to move.
New Haven Independent: Yacht Club Cleared To Launch

So it can be done. They had 250 members however.

osirissail · #7 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009

Great article - and it goes to show that nothing is simple as it took a couple of tries and lots of activity just to get a building approved for the Yacht Club - but it doesn't mention anything about docks or boats . . . .

eryka · #8 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009

Depends on how many "friends" you're talking about - there are numerous waterfront houses that have dockage for 3-5 boats, and I doubt that would require permits. Eastern shore is far less expensive than western.

deniseO30 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009

yes, Eryka that's what my friend was thinking. But don't think I ever want another mortage committment if I do sell my house. Living aboard may still be in the furture for me.

gbm4th · #10 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009

The idea of having a "shore house" on the bay sounds great. I have not looked at prices; but with the current economy and some help from Obama, it might be a good time to buy. The marina fees where I am at are very reasonable but the amenities non-existent. An alternative may be to find a small place close by and get a mooring ball.

As I am finding out; spending the weekend on a boat does leave a little to be desired. Last weekend I got to find all the leaks in my forward hatch (over my bed). I had a great day sailing the Chesapeake yesterday as I made my way towards Baltimore, but the temperature never got above 50*F in the cabin last night with a space heater running.

Tomorrow though, looks to be another great day for sailing!

george