We just returned from a great trip down the coast. Had a blast in Desoto, Venice, Charlotte Harbor (and Cabbage Key), and FOrt Myers Beach. Really great places for those that have not been there.
However, I want to run something by the forum and get your take. WHile in Fort Myers Beach, we spent most of our time on the mooring ball. However, we wanted to go in one day for water, some supplies, and while we were at it, a pumpout. SO we paid a daily transient and went in.
We got the bill and were shocked... about $125 for the night. WHat frustrated me was that they pump out the boat at the cost of $25/pumpout. THis is on top of nearly $2/foot and $8/per electric hookup. Now, if I was just going in for a pumpout, I would be ok if they charged me something... though I might not completely agree with it. But $25!??
It't not the money, per se, it is the whole point. See, Fort Myers Beach has one of a few Mooring fields put in and sanctioned by the state. They did away with the anchorage because they could monitor it better and keep the water cleaner And come on, let's be honest, they wanted to make money. However, how do you maintain a clean bay when the marinas around you charge $25/pumpout??
I am an advocate of pumping out and managing your waste disposal properly. Nothing pisses me off worse than these boats where people live aboard and dump all around me. It gives all of us a bad name. I know most of you who read this would agree with me. It's grosse and ecologically unsound. However, when the state allows the marinas to charge rediculous amounts of money to pump out, what incentive is there for those that do not hold my opinion of dumping in the water to go to a pumpout? Will I still pumpout? Yeah!! But I guarantee you most of those other boats wont. That is an easy $100/month if not twice that much.
So don't get me wrong... I am not trying to sound tight. $25 surely isn't going to break me. But I believe that when those kinds of fees are charged (even for those who are paying dockage), you create an environment which discourages good boating practices. Instead, why not put up a pumpout station that everyone can access that is free and accessible? If not run by the state, who dictates these laws in the first place, require all marinas to have one and set what they can or can't charge. Consider it the price of owning and operating a marina.
Curious who agrees with me and who doesn't?
Brian
PS THe mooring field in FMB does run a pumpout boat as a service, as does Boot Key. For those that go there, you don't have to pay if you stay on the ball. It does not run on the weekends, only M-F, FYI.
However, I want to run something by the forum and get your take. WHile in Fort Myers Beach, we spent most of our time on the mooring ball. However, we wanted to go in one day for water, some supplies, and while we were at it, a pumpout. SO we paid a daily transient and went in.
We got the bill and were shocked... about $125 for the night. WHat frustrated me was that they pump out the boat at the cost of $25/pumpout. THis is on top of nearly $2/foot and $8/per electric hookup. Now, if I was just going in for a pumpout, I would be ok if they charged me something... though I might not completely agree with it. But $25!??
It't not the money, per se, it is the whole point. See, Fort Myers Beach has one of a few Mooring fields put in and sanctioned by the state. They did away with the anchorage because they could monitor it better and keep the water cleaner And come on, let's be honest, they wanted to make money. However, how do you maintain a clean bay when the marinas around you charge $25/pumpout??
I am an advocate of pumping out and managing your waste disposal properly. Nothing pisses me off worse than these boats where people live aboard and dump all around me. It gives all of us a bad name. I know most of you who read this would agree with me. It's grosse and ecologically unsound. However, when the state allows the marinas to charge rediculous amounts of money to pump out, what incentive is there for those that do not hold my opinion of dumping in the water to go to a pumpout? Will I still pumpout? Yeah!! But I guarantee you most of those other boats wont. That is an easy $100/month if not twice that much.
So don't get me wrong... I am not trying to sound tight. $25 surely isn't going to break me. But I believe that when those kinds of fees are charged (even for those who are paying dockage), you create an environment which discourages good boating practices. Instead, why not put up a pumpout station that everyone can access that is free and accessible? If not run by the state, who dictates these laws in the first place, require all marinas to have one and set what they can or can't charge. Consider it the price of owning and operating a marina.
Curious who agrees with me and who doesn't?
Brian
PS THe mooring field in FMB does run a pumpout boat as a service, as does Boot Key. For those that go there, you don't have to pay if you stay on the ball. It does not run on the weekends, only M-F, FYI.