[Hudsonian]

I recently heard that 70% of those who lost boats in Sandy have not returned to boating. Do any of you have hard numbers on this? I have read that 32,000 boats were lost I New York alone. If these numbers are right, 22,000 less boats are in use. I would think that would result in excess marina capacity and reduced economic viability. Any data?

 

[JimMcGee]

It might be interesting to email your question to BoatUS and see what they say. They may have real data.

 

[MarkSF]

I recently heard that 70% of those who lost boats in Sandy have not returned to boating. Do any of you have hard numbers on this? I have read that 32,000 boats were lost I New York alone. If these numbers are right, 22,000 less boats are in use. I would think that would result in excess marina capacity and reduced economic viability. Any data?

I'd say that's about the ratio of boats (at least, probably higher) around here that just sit molding in the marina, never to be used. It hardly surprises me that those boat owners, when they lose the boat, take the money and run.

So I believe that there might be a lot less boats rotting in marinas. The serious boaters will buy another boat.

 

[hotdogs]

If there are 22,000 "missing" boats, I would expect that to be reflected in the average local slip/mooring fees. Has this happened?

 

[Hudsonian]

I think the operators have increased their fees to try to meet their costs with a diminished number of customers. Several smaller operations have gone out of business or changed their business model (e.g., provide service to commercial vessels and discontinue service to recreational vessels).

 

[miatapaul]

I know that locally the marinas seem to be pretty full. Mid Hudson Valley wise West Shore appears to have the same number, as does Marlborough Yacht Club. In Newburgh the two remaining marinas seem sold out but what used to be Torches did not put out docks last year, though they did the year after Sandy, and their slips by Shadows seemed to be about sold out, and pre-Sandy they were at about 20% full. Does not seem to be any less at Whites (still sold out, though there are some damaged boats on the hard there, looked at a boat last fall that the companionway had blown open in Sandy, and the owner was not aware of it, needless to say the interior was ruined) New Hamburg Yacht Club seems full. Chelsie Yacht Club seems pretty full, but fewer boats sitting on the hard during season. Not sure about the Kingston clubs, as I was not up there much this last year. Hop-O-Nose seems full as well but it was end of season when I was there.

So from my observations it seems that many of the derelict boats are gone. So perhaps there may have been a bit of cleaning house. As was said serious boaters, either replaced with newer or seem to have snatched up the better boats that were not being used. I am sure many that were on the fence about continuing left if they could cash out.

Everyone I know that had a boat seems to have survived Sandy OK. There does seem to be fewer boats listed on Craigslist and what not.

 

[sulli]

Most marina operators raise fees to make more money, but usually it drives away some people,so profits don't rise as much as expected. The marina I am in is in line with the highest priced marinas in the area. Last year they had many open slips maybe 1/2 capacity, the people who left did so mostly for economic reasons. I think if they lowered the price 25% they would get more than enough new business to make up the difference. Selling fuel, ice, bait, and and other store items to these new folks would make a big difference in their bottom line.
But I went to school 50 years ago so what would I know.

 

[PitApe]

I'd say that's about the ratio of boats (at least, probably higher) around here that just sit molding in the marina, never to be used. It hardly surprises me that those boat owners, when they lose the boat, take the money and run.

So I believe that there might be a lot less boats rotting in marinas. The serious boaters will buy another boat.

That's more or less what I was thinking. The only difference for many boat owners is that they no longer have to shell out a monthly slip fee to keep a boat they almost never use. I doubt the actual level of boat traffic has changed all that much.

 

[Loki9]

All the people I know who had boats damaged or destroyed by Sandy (at least 6 people) have new or repaired boats and were on the water again the very next season. A couple of those people used their insurance check to substantially upgrade from what they had.